I am listening to the "Killers" album, as I write this. To be honest, I am only a fan of his work with Maiden, and though over the years I was at times curious, about his post- Maiden work, I do not recall ever listening to his work after Maiden. At 66, I should not be surprised that Di'Anno lived as long as he did given how hard he lived his life. What made him a unique star, would be his demise, but such is the fate of those who can not find a middle path. Even paying tribute to Di'Anno I have to say I am in the Bruce camp, but there is no denying the groundwork Paul laid for the band to grow into. He played his last show with Maiden in 1981 before they recruited Bruce from Sampson.
Over the years the reasons for his firing have ranged from Di"Anno not wanting to tour, to drugs and alcohol, he did not approve of the way Stever Harris and manager Ron Smallwood ran the band, but the results tell the truth, as apparent in Maiden's success without him. His street-wise nature gave them the edge they needed. His life up until his death was littered with trips in and out of prison. He was a wrathful person lashing at the world around him, which is what makes his songs feel grounded. Most punk rockers prefer the first two albums, for this reason, they are raw. His voice is distinct in a different manner from Bruce's.
He went on to front Battlezone and Killers, but they were far from anything he did with Maiden. Perhaps drugs were the problem that hindered his career the most. Perhaps it was living in the shadow of a band that went on to become one of the biggest in metal without him. Still, the first two Iron Maiden albums serve as his legacy, and they are two albums better than what most bands can muster, so it speaks to Di'Anno being an incredible singer in his own right.
pst523
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