IRON MAIDEN’S First Frontman. Paul Di’Anno INTERVIEW, part 3
Paul DiAnno. Iron Maiden (1978–1981)
Paul DiAnno grew up in England. He became the band’s singer after the departure of the very unpredictable Dennis Wilcock who had pressured Steve Harris into firing every member of Iron Maiden (including Dave Murray) before becoming fed up himself.
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1980′s self-titled release quickly became acknowledged as a classic of its genre, serving as the blueprint for future thrash metal and speed metal bands.
1981 saw the release of their second album, Killers.
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The Split. The Band’s Point of view
After having cancelled gigs due to Di’Anno’s inability and lack of desire to perform, due to cocaine abuse and heavy drinking, Iron Maiden decided that to continue, they would have to find a singer capable of withstanding the rigours of being on tour.
Paul DiAnno was replaced by former Samson frontman Bruce Dickinson.
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The Split. Paul DiAnno’s Point of view
In 1981 Paul DiAnno left Iron Maiden: “It’s like having Mussolini and Adolf Hitler run your band. Because it is Rod Smallwood and Steve Harris and that’s it. There can’t be anyone else and my character is too strong for that – so me and Steve were always fighting“.
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The CZB Interview.
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CZB: How did Steve Harris discover you / how did you meet?
Paul Di’Anno: Through a friend of a friend of a friend
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CZB: What was the idea behind Eddie? Who named him/why the name Eddie?
Paul Di’Anno: Really cannot remember exactly, apart from we used to go and watch another metal band in the early days playing in the East End of London and they had this similar monster type logo, and i guess we just stole the idea from them and gave it a name.
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CZB: On the net it says that at the time you had problems with cocaine and heavy drinking. Is this true and was it just a trend of the times, a part of your macho image or a personal way of coping with sudden success?
Paul Di’Anno: During my time in Iron Maiden there were actually 3 members (no names mentioned here) in those days who were taking a lot of coke and drink..
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CZB: Do you regret fighting with Rod Smallwood and Steve Harris?
Paul Di’Anno: No, because I am always gonna fight anyone who tries to tell me how to do my job.
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CZB: What did you feel when you wake up one day and heard of the band Killers that perhaps took their name from the song you wrote or the 90′s band you founded? Did they contact you for morally letting them use the name?
Paul Di’Anno: I thought it was funny and good luck to them
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CZB: How does a band like Thunderbolt, from Norway, get the opening slot on your bill?
Paul Di’Anno: Basically because they are a Great band.
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CZB: What are you expecting from your first visit to Romania? …or in general, from any country you play in for the first time?
Paul Di’Anno: For Romania, some cool people and a cool country!
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You can read the first part of the interview HERE.
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You can read the second part of the interview HERE.
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Paul Di’Anno is currently on The Beast Is Back Tour.
He is visiting almost 30 countries well into 2010. See him in Romania on
- November 19 @ Bucharest, in The Silver Church
- November 20 @ Cluj-Napoca, in Irish & Music Pub
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Website: www.pauldianno.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/diannothebeast
