Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson took a moment to praise the band's former singer, the late Paul Di'Anno, during the metal band's concert at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Tuesday night (October 22).
Dickinson addressed the crowd before the song “The Time Machine.”
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“Our band member Paul Di'Anno passed away, as you probably know,” Dickinson said. [as transcribed by Blabbermouth]. “And if you're not aware of that fact, you are now. Paul was instrumental in the first two. [Iron Maiden] albums, innovative with Assassins and the first album. “An incredible voice, dedicated to rock and roll until the last minute of his life.”
He continued: “So… for those of you who were born and still remember those first albums, when obviously I wasn't in the band and he was, and those of you who were fans of the stuff he did with Battlezone and his. later projects, and for anyone who wants to listen to songs like 'Remember Tomorrow' and stuff like that, which are absolutely incredible, I'll ask everyone to take a few seconds to quietly close their eyes. and let's say, just internally, mentally: if you believe in God, if you don't believe in God, it doesn't really matter; “Just believe in what you believe and just say, ‘Thank you, boss, for doing what you did.’”
After a brief pause, Dickinson added: “So, Paul, if you're listening, this is a little message from Minneapolis to wherever you are, up or down, Minneapolis, to Paul Di'Anno, shout out for me.”
Earlier this week, Di'Anno's record label, Conquest Music, announced that the singer had died at the age of 66.
In recent years, Di'Anno faced serious health problems, including two knee replacement surgeries due to previous motorcycle accidents that left him confined to a wheelchair. Following the advice of his doctors, he originally announced his retirement from touring in 2020.
But Di'Anno formed a new band, Warhorse, together with Czech musicians Ante Pupačić and Hrvoje Madiraca. With Warhorse, Di'Anno returned to performing live and the trio released a self-titled debut album in July of this year. That same month, Di'Anno also had the opportunity to meet Bruce Dickinson for the first time after the latter's solo concert in Zagreb, Croatia. Coincidentally, Di'Anno was around for a promotional signing event for the release of the Warhorse album.
Following the news of Di'Anno's passing, Iron Maiden released an official statement honoring the leader of their formative years:
“We are all deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Paul Di'Anno today. Paul's contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been on as a band for almost five decades. “His pioneering presence as a leader and vocalist, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be fondly remembered not only by us, but also by fans around the world.”
Iron Maiden's fall North American tour continues with a concert Thursday night (October 24) in Rosemont, Illinois. you can get tickets here.
Watch Bruce Dickinson pay tribute to Di'Anno in concert below.
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