Paul Di'Anno is a British heavy metal and rock singer and songwriter from Chingford, United Kingdom. Born Paul Andrews in 1958 and died in 2024, he is best known as the original lead vocalist of Iron Maiden, a role he holds from 1978 to 1981.

Iron Maiden years

Di'Anno begins his professional music career with Iron Maiden and sings on the band's early releases, including The Soundhouse Tapes, the singles Running Free, Sanctuary, Women in Uniform, Twilight Zone and Purgatory, the album Iron Maiden, the live release Maiden Japan and the album Killers. His vocal style is often described as more punk-influenced than that of later Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson. His short period in the band is regarded as an important part of the early development of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

Later bands and projects

After leaving Iron Maiden, Di'Anno records with a number of acts, including Di'Anno, Gogmagog, Paul Di'Anno's Battlezone, Praying Mantis, Killers, Paul Di'Anno & Dennis Stratton, The Almighty Inbredz, and his own long-running solo project under the name Paul Di'Anno. The listed active periods include Di'Anno in 1983 to 1985 and again in 2000, Gogmagog in 1985, Battlezone from 1985 to 1989 and again in 1998, Praying Mantis in 1990, Killers from 1990 to 1997 and from 2001 to 2003, Paul Di'Anno & Dennis Stratton from 1995 to 1996, The Almighty Inbredz in 1999, and Paul Di'Anno from 1997 to 1999 and again from 2000 to 2024.

Warhorse

His final original band or project is Warhorse, formed in December 2021 after Di'Anno meets guitarist Hrvoje Madiraca in Zagreb, Croatia. The project is formed and named as songs are being written and recorded. Its core line-up consists of Di'Anno on vocals, Hrvoje Madiraca and Ante Pupačić Pupi on guitars, and it also includes guest musicians on some songs. Warhorse independently releases the DVD single Stop the War in a limited edition of 666 copies, which sells out within days, and the project is followed by a lyric video for the same song.

Style and legacy

Di'Anno is associated with heavy metal and rock. His work across Iron Maiden and later projects places him among the notable figures of early British heavy metal, especially because of his role in Iron Maiden's first two albums and related recordings such as the Metal for Muthas compilation and the BBC archives material from 1979 and 1980.