Paul Di'Anno - Alive & Well
Former Iron Maiden Vocalist Returns with a New Live Album
Interviewed by Keith McDonald
Being the former lead singer for a legendary heavy metal outfit does
have its rewards. It does give you some recognition in the heavy metal
community that allows you to continue onwards. After leaving Iron
Maiden, Paul Di'Anno, who possess one of the better heavy metal voices
out there, has continued on with other projects that have included
Battlezone, Gogmagog, Killers and now his solo offerings. Running on the
Iron Maiden name and early material, Paul releases another Live offering
simply called "Live" recorded around the world on his
"Nomad Tour" last year. Containing the classics Iron Maiden,
Wratchchild, Killers and Sanctuary, this new release is a must for all
heavy metal and Maiden fans alike. You can check out his website at www.pauldianno.com.
Tell
me about the new Live album. I see it was recorded around the world.
The live album is a culmination of recordings done since I left Maiden
over many years indeed. The biggest problem of for Lea & myself in
putting the album together as one total album was trying to get the
final mixes of all of the different recordings to sound as one.
How did you land at Spitfire? How had their
support been so far?
Lea managed to get me the deal with Spitfire as a one off agreement deal
as he thought that they'd probably give me the most sympathetic chance
in The States.
Why have you jumped from label to label over the
years?
I could never really find the right label that really wanted to get
behind me in my career and stay with me so I had to keep moving around.
What are your tour plans?
Mostly European at the moment (I leave most of that stuff to my
management though) although I do have plans to go back to South America
again soon too.
How would you compare the metal scene in the U.S.
to that of Europe?
Europe is more of the old school metal and USA is more hardcore.
Do you still speak to the members of Iron
Maiden?
I never really bump into any of the Maiden members really, although I
did bump into Steve Harris in Portugal about 3 years back now and it was
all very friendly.
Do you still receive royalties from Killers and
Iron Maiden?
No I do not receive any royalties at all any more from Iron Maiden or
Killers.
I see you're writing an autobiography, How did
that come about?
I've had many offers to do an autobiography over the years and recently
I received an offer from a company that showed the most faith. This
particular offer just felt like the right one really. I didn't want to
have another one of those terrible Rock n Roll books written as I wanted
it to be full of real life, including all the bad moments, dramas and
crisis parts as well as the better times too. I just felt it was time to
now set the record completely straight once and for all.
Are Battlezone and Killers album still available
around the world?
Well I guess they must be, as I always seem to be signing new copies all
over the place.
How do you explain your longevity? Are you
trying to reach new fans that never heard of you?
Change and variety or something old something new something borrowed
something blue.
How important was being in Iron Maiden been to
your career today?
At the time it was very important, but now it is just a part of my
personal history.
What's the future for you?
Music and happiness, bits of my life...which is exactly what it's always
been.
©2001 Metal Rules!!