It’s incredible to think that the last time that Paul Di’Anno graced a stage in Newcastle was way back in 1981 as frontman with Iron Maiden. Much water has passed under the bridge since then for both Maiden, who continue to thrive with Bruce Dickinson, who stepped in to Di’Anno’s shoes in 1982, and for Di’Anno himself, who has had an extensive recording career with Di’Anno, Battlezone, Killers and as a solo artist.
The current tour was billed as a celebration of Di’Anno’s Maiden past, so when the sold out signs went up in record time, it came as no surprise to anyone.
Di’Anno has suffered a number of health issues over the years and a recent knee operation has left him wheelchair bound but the East Londoner is made of stern stuff and he wasn’t going to let this stop him hammering out a bunch of vintage Maiden classics.
Those classics came thick and fast from “Wrathchild” and “Murders in the Rue Morgue” to “Sanctuary”, “Killers” and “Running Free”, their first hit single from 1980 and the one that earned them their first appearance on Top of the Pops back in those heady days of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. The packed and excitable crowd sang every word created a stirring atmosphere and Di’Anno seemed visibly taken aback by the reception and beamed with delight.
Backed by his “Norwegian band” who romped through the instrumental “Transylvania”, Di’Anno’s rough, gravel hewn voice sounded powerful and imposing yet on “Remember Tomorrow” he showed an altogether different, smoother tone and touchingly dedicated it to his sadly departed Maiden compatriot, Clive Burr
To many, the Di’Anno era of Iron Maiden represents their pinnacle when they were young and hungry and had a street Punk attitude amongst the Metallic onslaught and the whole set was built around those first two classic albums except for a cover of “Holidays in the Sun” by the Sex Pistols showing Di’Anno’s Punk edged roots in their full glory.
It’s difficult to pick a highlight amongst many highlights but “Phantom of the Opera”, rarely if ever played by the current Maiden lineup, was immense with Di’Anno and his band pulling out the performance of the night befitting such a monumental slice of Metal history.
It may have been a over four decades coming but Di’Anno’s long awaited return was well worth the wait.
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