The rock world is mourning the loss of Paul Mario Day, the original vocalist for heavy metal legends Iron Maiden, who has passed away at the age of 69 after a battle with cancer. His death was announced by his later band, More, who paid tribute to him as "a huge part of the new wave of British heavy metal" and "a well-loved figure in British rock music."
Day was a member of Iron Maiden for a short but pivotal period between 1975 and 1976, before the band found global fame with subsequent vocalists Paul Di'Anno and, most famously, Bruce Dickinson. Though his tenure was brief, his contribution to the formative years of Iron Maiden and the broader New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene is widely acknowledged.
Following his time with Iron Maiden, Day went on to front other notable bands, including More, Wildfire, and even a reformed Sweet. His powerful vocals were a significant feature on More's 1981 album *Warhead* and he performed with the band at the legendary Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington, sharing the stage with acts like AC/DC and Whitesnake.
**Iron Maiden's "Run For Your Lives" World Tour Underway**
In other news, Iron Maiden is currently in the midst of their highly anticipated "Run For Your Lives" World Tour, which kicked off in Budapest, Hungary, on May 27, 2025. This extensive tour is set to continue into 2026, commemorating the band's 50th anniversary.
The tour promises a special setlist, focusing on classics and fan favorites from their first nine studio albums, spanning from *Iron Maiden* (1980) to *Fear of the Dark* (1992). Frontman Bruce Dickinson has stated that this tour will offer "a once-in-a-lifetime live experience" and that many of these songs will likely not be played again in the future, making these shows a must-see for long-time fans.
Supporting acts for various legs of the European tour include Halestorm, The Raven Age, and Avatar. The band is playing a mix of arena shows and festival dates across the continent, with dates currently scheduled through July 2025 in major cities like London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin, and Vienna.
Future Album Plans Remain Undisclosed
While the band is focused on their ongoing anniversary tour, there has been speculation regarding a new Iron Maiden studio album. Bruce Dickinson recently revealed that he has 18 songs demoed for his next solo album, which he plans to record in early 2026. However, there has been no official announcement regarding a new Iron Maiden album or its release date at this time. The band's last studio album, Senjutsu, was released in 2021.
