Paul Di’Anno, Iron Maiden’s first lead singer, died on Monday. He was 66.

He died at his home in Salisbury, England, his family and record label Conquest Music said in a statement on his official Facebook page. No cause of death was given, but Di’Anno had had medical problems for years, suffering from a weakened immune system after contracting sepsis nine years ago and appearing in a wheelchair since knee surgery in 2022. He has appeared on more than 100 shows in his career. Chairman since 2023.

“Conquest Music is proud to have Paul Di’Anno in our artistic family and asks his fans to raise a glass to him,” the label said. The Times’ request for additional comment was not immediately responded to on Monday.

“We are all deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Paul Di’Anno today,” Iron Maiden said in a statement issued on behalf of the band, co-managers Andy Taylor and Rod Smallwood, and the entire Iron Maiden team .

“Paul’s contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been on as a band for almost five decades. “His groundbreaking presence as a frontman and vocalist, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be fondly remembered not only by us, but also by fans around the world,” the statement said. The announcement was accompanied by a photo of Di’Anno and bassist Steve Harris backstage in Croatia during the band’s Legacy of the Beast world tour in May 2022.

“We were very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet him and spend time with him again a few years ago,” the band said.

“It’s just so sad that he’s gone,” Harris added, noting that he recently texted with Di’Anno about the ups and downs of men’s soccer club West Ham United.

“At least until recently he was still performing, being out there whenever he could was something that kept him going. We will all miss him. Rest in peace, buddy,” Harris said.

Di’Anno was born Paul Andrews on May 17, 1958 in Chingford, East London, and made a name for himself as a member of Iron Maiden from 1978 to 1981. He recorded the band’s self-titled debut album in 1980 and its follow-up, Killers, in 1981. After his dismissal, he was replaced by Bruce Dickinson, who remains the band’s lead singer to this day. Di’Anno later fronted other bands including Killers, Battlezone and Warhorse.

In September he released the album “The Book of the Beast” with his favorite songs that he had recorded since leaving Iron Maiden, with Tony Martin of Black Sabbath, ZP Theart of Dragonforce and Lidya Balaban of the band Crowley.

He also announced that he would only play selected festivals and larger shows in wheelchair-accessible theaters. In 2023, Di’Anno confirmed that Iron Maiden had helped him pay medical bills for the final months of treatment, saying that he would be “forever grateful for that.”