Fans outside the Underworld gather to pay tribute to Paul di’Anno

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BANDS, fans and friends paid tribute to a rock and heavy metal legend at a memorial show in Camden Town after he died shortly before he was due to perform there.

Iron Maiden’s former frontman Paul di’Anno, whose heart ruptured aged 66, got a fitting send-off on Thursday night at the Underworld – which he had described as his favourite venue.

He was due to play there in his wheelchair, as part of a final tour alongside bands Electric Gypsy and Gypsy’s Kiss. The show went on as an emotionally charged tribute night instead.

David Smith, frontman of the Gypsy’s Kiss, told the New Journal: “The background to it was that Paul himself was going to play there as part of his UK tour, but very, very sadly he passed away a few weeks ago but his management and the Underworld wanted to keep the gig going as a memorial for Paul.

“It was very full, the audience were all Paul di’Anno fans. It was a joyous evening. Everybody there wanted to celebrate his music.”

Mr Smith grew up with Mr di’Anno – real name Paul Andrews – and Steve Harris, the former Iron Maiden guitarist, in east London.

He said: “Not only was Paul a friend, but we went to the same school, grew up in the same area, supported the same football team and that’s exactly the same for Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris.”

Gypsy’s Kiss had been touring alongside Paul around the UK over summer for the first time after reconnecting some years ago.

Gypsy’s Kiss have performed in The Fiddler’s Elbow and The Black Heart in Camden Town, but had not played the Underworld. It was going to be the old friends’ first live gig together.

“Over the last years, Paul has been in a wheelchair,” said Mr Smith. “But he was such a trooper he continued to tour and play all over the world. Had he not passed away he would have done the Underworld show from his chair.

“What was a great thing was that a lot of the people bought tickets to see Paul, but still came along to a tribute to Paul. It was an outpouring of love and thanks. It was a celebration of his music.”

David Smith, frontman of the Gypsy’s Kiss

The bands played their own music and then a number of musicians did covers including Guzz Collins from Electric Gypsy, Carl Williams, Henrik Haugsnes, Chris Dale, Simon Spense and ex-Iron Maiden guitarist Terry Wapram.

Mr Harris described the night as “an opportunity for Paul’s fans to give their gratitude for what he did for music. It was a memorial and a fanfest.”

Mr Di’Anno was lead vocalist for Iron Maiden from 1978 to 1981, a time when band produced two smash hit albums. He was replaced by Bruce Dickinson following disagreements about tours.

A statement put out by the Underworld shortly before the show, said: “The Underworld Camden has always been Paul’s favourite venue, where he has had his best shows.”

Paul di’Anno  [Silvio Tanaka_CC BY-SA 2.0]

Limited merchandise was snapped up by fans on the night that was acknowledged by Mr Di’Anno’s family in a statement.

It said he had died from “a tear in the sack around the heart and blood has filled inside it from the main aorta artery and that has caused the heart to stop”, adding: “This weekend, an In Memoriam show was held at Underworld Camden, where many of Paul’s fans, friends, colleagues and family members came. With a magnificent musical set, his musical colleagues said a worthy farewell to their friend.”