Just seen he’s died
Never got to see them with him, bit too young
Lyndon
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Oh no! Tragic. Saw them in like 1980. Great frontman.
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RIP Paul.
He’s Running Free now.
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Really sad news. Saw him many many years ago in Milan. Maiden had just released their debut album and they were playing as opening band for the Kiss. We were shocked by the power of this new band particularly by their frontman….Yes really many years ago. RIP Paul and thank you.
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Very sad. Though reading up on him, seems he’s suffered a lot the last decade.
What a legacy. One of the most influential debut albums ever (certainly in rock circles). And still one of my favourite albums 40odd years later !
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Just looked it up. It was July 26th 1981 at Allentown Fairgrounds, where Iron Maiden opened for Joe Perry Project. We were right done in front. Which band is still around? 
I agree with SiBrighton. What a great debut album that absolutely set the tone of NWOBHM. That along with Angel Witch. This stuff was so new and fresh. One could argue whether Maiden would have become as big as they did if they stayed with Paul, but you can’t deny the influence he had with this movement. Thank you Paul for bringing it to us! You will never be forgotten.
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NWOBHM is where music started for me as a spotty teenager and multiple decades later, IM & Killers have remained classics to this day. I loved the immediacy of both albums. It took me a few albums after to adjust to not only Bruce but the longer, more elaborate songs until Powerslave convinced me totally. Would Paul have got to “Mariner” level? IMHO no - but did Paul play a role in building the foundations of the Maiden empire? Absolutely, and I for one will remain a grateful fan.
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That’s sad news.
Loved Maiden with Paul Di’Anno, but never managed to get on with them after Bruce joined. Not saying they weren’t good, just that the change in direction didn’t grab me.
Similarly AC/DC, who were also probably bigger with their replacement front man, Brian Johnson, than they were before. For me though, the humour and menace of Bon Scott is what made them so special, and even though I thought Back In Black was a stupendous album, they lost me after that.
RIP.
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My first non-Barnet gig was Maiden at the Marquee in ‘79 with Paul Di’Anno on vocals. A great concert to start my gig-going career.
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