IRON MAIDEN’s BRUCE DICKINSON Shares The PAUL DI’ANNO-Era Song He Refuses To Sing

In a fascinating reflection on the early days of his career, Bruce Dickinson recently recalled a pivotal moment when IRON MAIDEN opened for SAMSON at London’s Music Machine in 1980.

Dickinson told in a new interview with Classic Rock: “All these MAIDEN fans turned up, and then immediately MAIDEN finished they all f**ked off, leaving us to play to a hundred punters! I thought: ‘There’s something going on with this band. I think they’re going to be big.”

Dickinson was so dedicated to MAIDEN that he jumped at the chance to become their new singer when Paul Di’Anno left. Although many consider Dickinson a superior vocalist, there’s one song so strongly associated with Di’Anno that Dickinson avoids performing it.

“Remember Tomorrow,” a collaboration between Harris and Di’Anno, is often cited as MAIDEN‘s most emotionally resonant track. Out of deference to Di’Anno, Dickinson now feels the band should retire the song from their live performances.

“If ever Paul owned a song, it’s that one,” he said. “I can sing it, and have done. But I think we should leave it with Paul now.”

Di’Anno, born Paul Andrews, passed away at his Salisbury home on October 21 at the age of 66.

Paul, born on May 17, 1958, in Chingford, East London, gained recognition as the lead singer of the English heavy metal band IRON MAIDEN from 1978 to 1981. He lent his vocals to their groundbreaking debut album, Iron Maiden, as well as the highly influential follow-up, Killers.

Di’Anno had a prolific career since his departure from the band. He has recorded extensively with BATTLEZONE and KILLERS, released solo albums, and made numerous guest appearances. Even while battling significant health issues that have confined him to a wheelchair in recent years, Di’Anno has continued to captivate audiences worldwide, performing over 100 shows since 2023.