Paul Mario Day, the British rock singer best known as the first lead vocalist for the legendary heavy metal band Iron Maiden, has passed away at the age of 69. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Day’s death was confirmed by members of his band More, a metal group he co-founded in 1980. In a heartfelt statement posted on social media, the band honored his influence and contributions to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), calling him a “key figure” in the movement.
“Paul was a huge part of the NWOBHM scene, from his early days with Iron Maiden to his unforgettable work on More’s Warhead album,” the tribute read. “He was cherished in the British rock world and gave unforgettable performances, including the iconic 1981 Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington alongside AC/DC, Whitesnake, and Def Leppard.”
The band added: “Playing his songs keeps his spirit alive. Every time we kick off ‘Warhead,’ he’ll be there with us. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and fans worldwide.”
Accompanying the tribute was a photo captioned: “Play his music loud and sing along. Thank you 🙏🏻 Rock in peace, Paul. 🤘🏻”
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Day’s time with Iron Maiden was brief—he joined the band in late 1975 after being recruited by bassist Steve Harris, but parted ways with the group less than a year later, reportedly due to concerns about his stage presence. Though he never recorded an album with them, he laid the groundwork for what would become one of metal’s most enduring bands. He was succeeded first by Dennis Wilcock and later by Paul Di’Anno, before Bruce Dickinson became Iron Maiden’s longtime frontman.
After leaving Iron Maiden, Day went on to lead the bands More and Wildfire. In 1985, he became the vocalist for a reformed lineup of Sweet alongside guitarist Andy Scott and drummer Mick Tucker.
Scott shared his own tribute via Sweet’s official Facebook page: “When Paul auditioned, we knew instantly he was the right fit. His voice on Live at the Marquee helped the album gain success in charts around the world. That performance has truly stood the test of time.”
He added: “Paul passed away peacefully at his home in Australia. My deepest sympathies go out to his wife Cecily, and to all who knew and loved him.”
Paul Mario Day moved to Australia in the 1980s and remained active in music until his passing. He is survived by his wife, Cecily.
