Original Iron Maiden Vocalist Paul Mario Day Has Passed Aged 69
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Paul Mario Day, the original frontman of Iron Maiden and later vocalist for NWOBHM cult favourites More, has passed away peacefully at his home in Australia. He was 69.
Day’s death was confirmed by Sweet guitarist Andy Scott, who recalled the singer’s powerful voice and his role in reviving Sweet’s lineup in the mid ’80s. That reformed version of the glam rock outfit kicked off with sold out shows in Australia, followed by a string of European dates and a three night run at London’s Marquee Club, documented on Live at the Marquee.
Most fans however, know Day as the very first voice of Iron Maiden, having joined the band in 1975. His tenure was short, just over a year, after being dismissed for what founder Steve Harris described as a lack of stage presence. In a later interview with Blabbermouth, Day reflected on that life changing moment:
“I got warnings for maybe three months: ‘Get it together. Get it together.’ And I wanted to, I just didn’t know how to do it. So the funny thing is, the worst experience was the best lesson because when I got that notice and I felt so gutted, it changed me. … “As much as it hurt, as much as it upset me, I learnt a big lesson that day. I really did. I used that emotion, I guess, in my singing.”
If you’d like to see what Day would have been like in Maiden, check out this video of him singing ‘Wrathchild’ at the band’s birthplace:
Life After Maiden
After Maiden, Day fronted More, contributing to the band’s Warhead album and taking the stage at the 1981 Monsters of Rock festival alongside the likes of AC/DC and Whitesnake. More also toured with Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, and others, making their mark as a raw, no-frills force during the golden age of British metal.
More paid tribute on Facebook, calling Day a “huge part of the NWOBHM” and urging fans to “play his music loud and sing along.”
Paul Mario Day may have missed the Maiden rocket when it launched, but his impact on the genre’s early DNA deserves its due.
