Paul Mario Day, the original singer of Iron Maiden, has passed away at 69. His family shared that he died peacefully at his home in Australia, following a battle with cancer.
Day joined Iron Maiden in December 1975 at just 19, helping to launch the band’s journey. However, his time in the group was brief—just ten months. He was replaced due to concerns over his energy on stage, but he shared a deeper insight in a 2019 interview. “We were a new pub band trying to fight for an audience. Nobody wanted to see us,” he said, reflecting on the challenges they faced.
During his short stint, Day performed at Iron Maiden’s first concert in May 1976. He was succeeded by Dennis Wilcock, followed by Paul Di’Anno, who eventually led the band to fame with Bruce Dickinson taking over later.
Despite his brief tenure, Day claimed co-writing credit for the song “Strange World” from Iron Maiden’s debut album, though he was not credited. “It hurts that nobody knows it was me,” he admitted, though by 2019, he seemed to have resolved his feelings about it.
After leaving Iron Maiden, Day formed a band called More in 1980, releasing their first album, “Warhead,” the next year. His former bandmates honored him with a heartfelt message online: “Paul was a huge part of the NWOBHM and played many memorable shows alongside legends like AC/DC and Def Leppard,” they stated.
Day also led the band Wildfire for a time and enjoyed success in 1985 when he joined the glam rock band Sweet. Guitarist Andy Scott, who worked with him, expressed sadness over Day’s death, sharing fond memories of their collaboration. “When Paul arrived for the audition, we knew he was the one,” Scott reflected.
Throughout his career, Day was part of many significant events in British rock history, including the legendary 1981 Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington. His influence and contributions to music were significant, especially for the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement.
Day lived in Australia until his death, leaving behind a legacy that resonates with many fans and musicians alike. As the music industry reflects on his impact, it’s clear he was a beloved figure in rock and will be missed by many.
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