Iron Maiden paid tribute to one of their own on Tuesday night (October 22nd) during a show at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. During the show, singer Bruce Dickinson marked the passing of the band's original singer, Paul Di'Anno, who died on Monday at the age of 66 of unknown causes.
“I don't want to put a negative spin on the process at all,” Dickinson said in one video posted by a fan“[but] Our friend, band member Paul Di'Anno has passed away, as you probably know. If you don't know this fact, you do now.” Dickinson — who took over from Di'Anno after the late singer fronted the band on their 1980 self-titled debut and it's 1981 follow-up, Murderers — praised his predecessor for being “instrumental” on the band's first two albums, calling his work “groundbreaking” on Murderers and debut LP and had what he called an “amazing voice.”
“Dedicated to rock n' roll until the last minute of his life,” Dickinson said of the singer who had been confined to performing in a wheelchair in his later years due to various health issues. As fans clapped, cheered and chanted “we love you Paul!”, Dickinson paid tribute to D'Anno and asked the audience to keep him in their thoughts.
“For those of you who were born and still remember those early albums, and those of you who were fans of [Di’Anno’s post-Maiden band] Battlezone and his own projects that he's done after, and for anyone else who wants to hear tracks like 'Remember Tomorrow' and stuff like that, I'm just going to ask everyone to take a few seconds,” he said, holding up his right. hand. “Close your eyes silently and say – just internally, mentally – if you believe in God, if you don't believe in God, it doesn't matter, believe in what you believe and say, 'Thank you, boss, for doing what you did.'
It ended with a final goodbye. “Well, Paul, if you're listening, this is a little message from Minneapolis that wherever you are, up or down, have fun! Minneapolis, for Paul Di'Anno, scream for me!'
Di'Anno's record company announced Monday that he died of undisclosed causes at his home in Salisbury, U.K. After helping to establish the British metal band's signature blend of prog, punk and hard rock from 1978-1981, Di'Anno recorded a number of solo albums, as well as LPs with Di'Anno's band Battlezone, Gogmagog, Killers, Praying Matins, Rockfellas and others.
Daughter issued a statement honoring Di'Anno on Monday, writing: “We are all deeply saddened to learn of Paul Di'Anno's passing earlier today. Paul's contribution to Iron Maiden has been huge and has helped us find our way as a band for nearly five decades. His pioneering presence as a frontman and singer, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be fondly remembered not only by us, but by fans around the world.”
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/iron-maiden-bruce-dickinson-tribute-original-singer-paul-dianno-st-paul-show-1235808563/