The remarkable and turbulent life of Paul Di’Anno, the original frontman of Iron Maiden, will finally receive the definitive on-screen tribute it deserves. An official documentary titled Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer is scheduled for release this summer through Cleopatra Entertainment, offering an unfiltered look at one of heavy metal’s most influential, and tragic, voices.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Wes Orshoski (Lemmy, The Damned: Don’t You Wish That We Were Dead), the film chronicles Di’Anno’s rise to fame, devastating personal struggles, and emotional final comeback in a story that is equal parts triumph, heartbreak, and redemption.
The Voice That Launched Iron Maiden
Paul Di’Anno was the voice that introduced the world to Iron Maiden. His raw, street-level snarl powered the band’s legendary early recordings, including 1980’s Iron Maiden and 1981’s Killers, albums that laid the foundation for what would become one of the biggest metal bands in history.
Though Di’Anno’s tenure with Maiden was brief, his influence was permanent. Songs such as “Running Free,” “Phantom of the Opera,” and “Wrathchild” helped shape the sound of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and inspired countless musicians who followed.
Yet as Iron Maiden’s global success exploded, Di’Anno’s own life began to unravel.
A Life Marked By Struggle
Filming for the documentary began in 2017, capturing Di’Anno during one of the darkest periods of his life. Battling serious health problems that left him wheelchair-bound, financial hardship, and isolation, made even worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, the once-celebrated singer appeared to be fading from public view.
But the film reveals a powerful turning point.
Two devoted Iron Maiden fans discovered Di’Anno living in near-obscurity and launched a grassroots crowdfunding campaign to help him receive proper medical care. Their efforts led to his relocation to Croatia, where extensive treatment gave the singer a second chance, not only at life, but at music.
What followed was an extraordinary comeback.
Redemption, Music, And One Last Fight
Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer documents Di’Anno’s return to the stage, his reconnection with old friends and bandmates, and even the rediscovery of love during his final years. Shot across multiple countries, including the UK, United States, Brazil, and Croatia, the film captures the raw humanity behind the metal legend.
The documentary does not shy away from the chaos that defined much of Di’Anno’s career, but instead embraces it, presenting a deeply honest portrait of an artist who lived fast, burned hard, and never stopped fighting to reclaim his voice.
Featuring Metal’s Biggest Names
The film includes powerful commentary from some of heavy metal’s most influential figures, all paying tribute to Di’Anno’s lasting impact, including:
- Steve Harris (Iron Maiden)
- James Hetfield (Metallica)
- Gene Simmons (KISS)
- Members of Slayer, Megadeth, Exodus, Overkill, and Sepultura
Their testimonies underscore just how deeply Di’Anno’s early work helped shape the sound and spirit of modern metal.
Completed Before His Passing
Director Wes Orshoski completed principal photography shortly before Paul Di’Anno passed away in October 2023 at age 66. Since then, the film has screened at select European festivals and is now set for worldwide release via Cleopatra Entertainment on streaming platforms, DVD, and Blu-ray.
A Legacy That Refuses To Fade
Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer is more than a music documentary, it’s the story of a man whose voice helped ignite a movement, whose life mirrored the intensity of the music he sang, and whose legacy continues to echo through heavy metal history.
For fans of Iron Maiden, classic metal, and real rock-and-roll stories, this film promises to be a powerful reminder that legends aren’t only defined by success, but by survival.
Paul Di’Anno may have been Iron Maiden’s “lost singer,” but his voice will never be forgotten.
Leave a Reply