Original Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Mario Day dead at 69

Published: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 8:08 am

Iron Maiden's Original Vocalist Paul Mario Day Dies at 69

British rock music mourns the loss of Paul Mario Day, the original vocalist of the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Day passed away peacefully at the age of 69. His family confirmed the news, though the exact cause of death has not been officially released, it is known that he had been battling cancer.

Day's tenure with Iron Maiden began in December 1975, when he was recruited by bassist Steve Harris. He was just 19 years old at the time. However, his time with the band was short-lived, lasting only ten months. He later stated that he felt he lacked the energy and charisma needed for the role. During his time with Iron Maiden, Day performed at the band's first gig.

Following his departure from Iron Maiden, Day claimed to have co-written the song "Strange World" on the band's self-titled debut album, though he was not credited. He later formed the band More in 1980, releasing their debut album "Warhead" the following year. Day's former bandmates in More have paid tribute to him, recognizing his contribution to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

Day's career continued with the band Wildfire from 1983 to 1984. His most commercially successful period came in 1985 when he joined a reformed version of the glam rock band Sweet. He collaborated with guitarist Andy Scott and drummer Mick Tucker during this time. Day relocated to Australia in the 1980s, where he remained until his death.

BNN's Perspective:

The passing of Paul Mario Day serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked figures who contribute to the success of musical legends. While his time with Iron Maiden was brief, his impact on the band's early development and the broader British rock scene is undeniable. His contributions, even if not always fully recognized, helped lay the foundation for the band's future success.

Keywords: Paul Mario Day, Iron Maiden, vocalist, death, heavy metal, British rock, cancer, More, Warhead, Sweet, Andy Scott, Mick Tucker, NWOBHM, Strange World

Full Story