Iron Maiden Honors Paul Di’Anno During Concert
Iron Maiden took a moment during their show in Minneapolis on Tuesday night (October 22) to pay tribute to Paul Di’Anno.
Bruce Dickinson addressed fans and said, “Paul was instrumental on the first two albums, groundbreaking with ‘Killers’ and the first album. He had an amazing voice and was devoted to rock and roll right up to the last minute of his life.”
Dickinson then asked everyone for a moment of silence and said, “Paul, if you’re listening, this is a little message from Minneapolis to wherever you are, upstairs or downstairs, we hope you’re having fun. Minneapolis, for Paul Di’Anno, scream for me!”
Fan-shot video of the tribute can be viewed here. (Warning: Some NSFW language is featured in the video.)
Di’Anno died at age 66 on October 21 in his home. A cause of death was not disclosed. Shortly after news of Di’Anno’s death, Iron Maiden issued a statement saying, “We are all deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Paul Di’Anno earlier today. Paul’s contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been travelling as a band for almost five decades. His pioneering presence as a frontman and vocalist, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be very fondly remembered not just by us, but by fans around the world.”
Steve Harris shared in his own personal statement, “It’s just so sad he’s gone. I was in touch with him only recently as we texted each other about West Ham and their ups and downs. At least he was still gigging until recently, it was something that kept him going, to be out there whenever he could. He will be missed by us all. Rest in peace mate.”
Iron Maiden remains one of the most beloved bands still active today that has continued to be snubbed by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In September, Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello shared that his next mission is to get Maiden into the Rock Hall. Morello has been a member of the nominating committee since 2014, and he said on the Paltrocast with Darren Paltrowitz podcast that getting Madien recognized by the Rock Hall has “been on the top of my list for a while.”
Morello added, “I feel very, very fortunate that they let me into that — I’m not sure how fortunate they feel — but I feel very fortunate that they let me into that room to make my case for the Randy Rhoadses and the Kisses and the Stevie Ray Vaughans, Rush, Judas Priest and MC5 — but Maiden’s next.”
Iron Maiden, of course, was nominated for the Rock Hall’s 2023 class. It was the metal band’s second nomination after being nominated for the first time in 2021. When the 2023 Rock Hall class was announced, there was plenty of backlash about Maiden being snubbed again. It was something Rock Hall CEO Greg Harris talked about in an interview following the class announcement.
Harris said, “We love that people care. That they care if they’re in or out, and that their fans care. The truth is anybody that’s nominated, the odds are good that they’ll eventually gonna get in. In fact, I think it may be as high as 90 percent eventually go in.”
He added, “Rage [Against the Machine], this was their sixth time, I believe, fifth time on the ballot, or sixth time. And so sometimes it takes a while. But let’s see where it lands. Right now, let’s celebrate this year’s class, and we can start to debate about next year’s class once the spotlight is off of this year’s class.”