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Rockstar biographies run the gamut. Often they’re sordid tell-alls, or they’re fictionalized fluff pieces, glamorizing a destructive lifestyle and elevating very flawed people to deity status. With Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer, director Wes Orshoski (Lemmy), no stranger to metal biopics, leaves it to the viewer to decide, for the most part.
Synopsis
The life and career of pioneering heavy metal frontman Paul Di’Anno, the powerhouse voice heard on Iron Maiden’s early albums, in this strikingly raw and intimate film, director Wes Orshoski captures the late singer riding an emotional rollercoaster toward the end of his life.
As the original frontman for British metal stalwarts Iron Maiden, Paul Di’Anno (Andrews) can be heard wailing on the band’s seminal first two studio albums: 1980’s Iron Maiden, and 1981’s Killers. Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer tells the story, from the perspective of Di’Anno himself, before his passing, and former members/associates, of the band’s early days in East London (Di’Anno joined in 1978).
The tales from the first tours, and those first two albums, show an important chapter in the development of Maiden. In 1981, after problems with substance abuse, and friction with bassist/principal songwriter Steve Harris and manager Rod Smallwood, Di’Anno was fired from the band, who then went on the even greater stardom with frontman Bruce Dickenson.
Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer paints a picture of Di’Anno that is at time sympathetic, but also acknowledges the fact that this is someone who is his own worst enemy, Confined to a wheelchair for almost a decade for severe knee problems, the film follows his journey to Croatia, where he eventually found lower cost alternatives to the medical treatment offered in the UK, the crowdfunding and fan financial support he received, a brief love affair with one of his nurses, and his return to performing and eventual death.
The biggest revelation in Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer is that it is almost impossible to feel sorry for this guy! A large portion of rockstars seemingly live in a state of stunted adolescence, but Di’Anno suffered from some major “Peter Pan syndrome” and it’s not charming or even amusing, it’s just sad. From his blaming most of his health problems on the British health system, while continuing to drink, and use drugs, all with an ever present cigarette in hand, you definitely form the impression that this guy couldn’t get out of his own way!
That’s not to say there isn’t any sort of human factor in play here, Di’Anno was absolutely a tragic figure who genuinely had moments of hope and self-reflection, but then it all comes crashing down as he, after learning his health was starting to improve, insisted upon getting back on the road (even after his former bandmates picked up the bill for his expenses), where he inevitably fell back into old habits, eventually becoming so incapacitated that he couldn’t perform any more, leaving disappointed fans and a tarnished legacy in his wake.
His legacy, apparently, not completely tarnished, is reinforced by appearances from, among others, metal legends James Hetfield (Metallica), Gary Holt (Exodus; Slayer), Dave Ellefson (Megadeth; Kings of Thrash), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura), Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth (Overkill) and Blaze Bailey (another former Maiden vocalist). There’s even a touching backstage meeting with Gene Simmons (KISS) where he and Di’Anno wax nostalgic about their bands’ early tour together.
Ultimately Di’Anno; Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer, is a story of rockstar hyperbole, the believing of one’s own hype, and a stubborn reluctance to, for lack of a better term, grow up. A victim of his own excesses, Paul Di’Anno survived through enough: addiction, health issues, bad business decisions, personality conflicts, a deportation (!), and financial strife to kill anyone. And he didn’t come out unscathed. In fact, he was very “scathed” indeed. Essential viewing for Iron Maiden fans, or anyone with an interest in heavy music, and the casualties of fame. Fans need only to cue up: Wrathchild, Murders in the Rue Morgue, Running Free, or Phantom of the Opera to be reminded of his contributions to metal. His music will definitely live on, but it’s really hard to feel sorry for the guy.
Paul Di’Anno died from aortic dissection at his home in Salisbury, England on October 21, 2024. He was 66 years old.
Cleopatra Entertainment’s Blu-ray release of Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer is available now from fine retailers.
