The rock world mourns as Paul Mario Day, the original lead singer of Iron Maiden and a key figure in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), has passed away at the age of 69. News of his death was shared by the band More, who praised Day as a pivotal part of the NWOBHM scene. His vocal prowess left an indelible mark on the genre, especially with his performance on More’s debut album, ‘Warhead’.
Day’s contribution to rock music began in December 1975 when he joined Iron Maiden as their first vocalist. Although his time with the band was short-lived, ending in October 1976, it was a formative period that helped shape the future sound of one of the most iconic bands in heavy metal history.
In 1980, Day took his talents to the band More, which released ‘Warhead’ the following year. The album gained recognition and showcased Day’s powerful vocals. He departed from More before the release of their second album, ‘Blood & Thunder’, in 1982. The early ’80s also saw him fronting Wildfire briefly before joining a reformed Sweet in 1985, contributing to their ‘Live at the Marquee’ album.
In Sweet’s tribute, guitarist Andy Scott recalled the impact Day had when joining the band: “We needed a singer and when Paul arrived for the audition we looked no further.” Day’s tenure with Sweet was marked by successful tours and sold-out shows, particularly in Australia and Europe.
Reflecting on his stint with Iron Maiden in a 2019 interview, Day expressed his surprise at being invited to join the band. Bassist Steve Harris initially turned him down, but later invited Day to audition: “I think I’m a singer. Could I join your band? And he went, ‘No.’… A week or two later, Steve says, ‘I’m interested. Do you want to come and have a blow?'” Day’s time with Maiden was brief but transformative, as he sang some of the early compositions by Harris.
Day’s journey through rock reflects the spirit of the genre – a blend of talent, timing, and a hint of serendipity. His legacy will continue to resonate through the music he helped create and the countless fans inspired by his work. As More urged in their heartfelt farewell, play his music loud and celebrate the life of a true rock legend.
