Iron Maiden paid tribute to their unique lead singer Paul Mario Day, who died on Tuesday on the age of 69.
“We’re deeply saddened that Paul Mario Day, Iron Maiden’s first ever vocalist again in 1975, has handed away,” the band wrote in a press release on social media, which you’ll be able to see beneath. “Our ideas and heartfelt condolences exit to Paul’s household and buddies.
“Paul was a beautiful individual and good mate,” Iron Maiden continued. “Relaxation in peace, Paul.”
How Paul Mario Day Joined — and Obtained Fired From — Iron Maiden
Day joined Iron Maiden in December 1975 on the age of 19. His tenure lasted lower than a 12 months, as Maiden kicked him out in October 1976 and changed him with Dennis Wilcock.
READ MORE: Every Iron Maiden Song Ranked From Worst to Best
“I by no means actually was in a band, I simply labored with guitar gamers in bedrooms, simply form of studying, experimenting, as a result of I wasn’t actually a singer. I simply felt I might sing,” Day informed the Danish webzine Energy of Steel (by way of Blabbermouth) in 2019. “They appreciated me and immediately, I used to be singing a few of Steve [Harris]‘s songs. He wrote some songs earlier than the Iron Maiden interval, they had been within the outdated band. I sang and he needed me to remain. I appeared to suit after which we began rehearsing. Then all of the songs had been being written and I used to be singing his songs.”
Iron Maiden in the end dismissed Day on account of his reported lack of stage presence. “Steve was saying, ‘You have to get higher. You have to be extra within the viewers’s face. You have to be commanding. You have to be a hero.’ And I agreed with him, however I did not really know how one can make that occur,” Day recalled.
Following his dismissal from Iron Maiden, Day fashioned the brand new wave of British heavy steel band Extra, singing on their 1981 debut album Warhead. He fronted the band Wildfire from 1983 to 1984, and in 1985 he joined Andy Scott and Mick Tucker’s reformed Sweet, acting on their 1986 album Stay on the Marquee.
Iron Maiden Albums Ranked
See how we ranked all 17 Iron Maiden albums from worst to greatest.
Gallery Credit score: Joe DiVita