Heartbreaking News: Bruce Dickinson an English singer of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden just passed away at the age of 66…
Watch Iron Maiden singers Bruce Dickinson and Paul Di’Anno meet for the first time
It happened in Zagreb over the weekend
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson met former vocalist Paul Di’Anno for the very first time in Zagreb, Croatia over the weekend.
Paul Di’Anno was fired from Iron Maiden in September 1981 after recording their seminal first two studio albums, 1980’s ‘Iron Maiden’ and 1981’s ‘Killers’, and 23-year-old Samson frontman Bruce Dickinson was drafted in to replace him.
Aside from the five-year Blaze Bayley era in the 1990s, Bruce Dickinson has been the voice of Iron Maiden ever since. Incredibly, however, he’s never met his predecessor.
Back in May 2022, sole Iron Maiden constant member Steve Harris met Paul Di’Anno in person the first time in decades in Zagreb, and on Saturday night (13th July) Bruce had his inaugural meeting with Paul in the same city.
Masterminded by Paul’s manager Stjepan Juras, the meeting took place backstage at the Hala venue where Bruce was performing live as part of his Mandrake Project tour.
“When we thought that nothing could surprise us anymore in the heavy metal world, tonight’s ‘miracle’ in Zagreb proved us all wrong,” Stjepan Juras said. “Paul Di’Anno and Bruce Dickinson met for the first time and had a friendly chat right in Zagreb.”
Explaining the meeting took place “after Bruce’s show,” he continued: “Paul Di’Anno had a live promotion and signing session for his first album with the Paul Di’Annos’ Warhorse project.
“This was an exceptional opportunity for the two icons of heavy metal music and the legendary singers of the band Iron Maiden to meet for the first time after almost half a century. This is an exceptional night for the entire Iron Maiden community and for metal fans around the world, because it shows that Iron Maiden and everyone who was in that band, is one big family.”
Iron Maiden’s legendary career in photos:
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Iron Maiden’s career beginnings
Bassist and sole constant band member Steve Harris founded Iron Maiden on Christmas Day 1975 after he exited his previous group Smiler for ventures new. Harris took the band’s moniker from the medieval iron maiden torture device after watching the 1939 movie The Man in the Iron Mask. Alongside Harris, the first incarnation of Iron Maiden featured vocalist Paul Day, guitarists Terry Rance and Dave Sullivan, and drummer Ron Matthews. The band made their live debut at St Nick’s Hall in Poplar on 1st May 1976 and soon took up a residency at the Cart & Horses Pub in Maryland, Stratford, which rightfully calls itself The Birthplace of Iron Maiden.
Iron Maiden’s debut recording ‘The Soundhouse Tapes’
Iron Maiden underwent numerous line-up changes throughout the late 70s with singer Paul Day the first to get axed in favour of Dennis Wilcock who mimicked his favourite band by wearing make-up and using fake blood during performances. Other members throughout this period included drummers Barry Purkis and Doug Sampson, keyboardist Tony Moore, and guitarists Bob Sawyer and Terry Wapram. Current Iron Maiden axeman Dave Murray joined Iron Maiden in 1976 but was sacked a year later following an argument with Wilcock. When Wilcock left 1978, Murray was reinstated to the band and has remained a constant member of Iron Maiden ever since. Paul Di’Anno was recruited as vocalist in November 1978 and shortly before New Year, Iron Maiden recorded the three-track EP ‘The Soundhouse Tapes’, which was limited to 5,000 copies and is now a highly sought-after collector’s item.
Iron Maiden’s 1980 line-up
Now guided by long-term manager Rod Smallwood, Iron Maiden penned a major record deal with EMI in 1979. With Dennis Stratton recruited as their second guitarist and ex-Samson drummer Clive Burr replacing Doug Sampson, who left for medical reasons, the five-strong band kicked off the 1980s by playing 11 dates of the now-legendary Metal for Muthas Tour, which was headlined at alternate dates by Motörhead, Samson, and Saxon. Pictured is Iron Maiden’s Clive Burr, Dave Murray, Steve Harris, Dennis Stratton and Paul Di’Anno walking through a park in 1980.
