Ex-Iron Maiden singer, Paul Di’Anno, Aussie gig labelled ‘world’s slowest heavy metal car crash’
A heavy metal icon’s tour has gone down like a lead balloon for some fans, with one reviewer likening it to “the stages of grief”.
Metal icon Paul Di’Anno’s opening gigs of his Australian tour have gone down like a lead balloon for some, with one reviewer labelling it “the world’s slowest heavy metal car crash”.
Gareth Williams, a writer for Wall of Sound, a renowned Australian alternative music and culture publication, reviewed the gig that took place on January 16 at the Amplifier Bar in Perth.
According to his review, Di’Anno, the 65-year-old former lead vocalist of Iron Maiden from 1978 to 1981, who has been wheelchair-bound for the last few years after undergoing knee surgery, stopped the concert mid-song.
He reportedly blew up at his drummer and complained that he “couldn’t hear himself”.
Williams reported that Di’Anno complained “between every song” about various issues, including “jet lag, being tired, the weather, the sound and his microphone”.
The Perth gig had descended into chaos, according to Williams.
“Di’Anno’s favourite word contains four letters and begins with C — and just about everyone was in the firing line,” he wrote.
“The bloke at the sound desk was one, multiple punters literally begging him to keep playing — all shared the same word.
“One punter got told to call a cab or he was going home in an ambulance. It would almost have been funny if it wasn’t so sad.
“I wanted to follow the lead of a few others and just walk out, but morbid curiosity got the better of me, and I stayed until the bitter end.”
Williams described the gig as a “bizarre journey” in which Di’Anno travelled through the “stages of grief”.
“Next was expletive-ridden anger directed at a female punter near the front being told to ‘shut the f**k up’ and to either stop drinking, or drink more,” Williams wrote.
“The bargaining started with a few songs from the end of the show, although the sound guy was still a C.”
“Now came contrition, apologies, and the promise of a free show for when/if he returns.
“Depression is what we were all feeling, and Di’Anno looked like a defeated man.”
A fan-filmed video of Di’Anno’s January 17 concert at The Gov in Adelaide shows Di’Anno exhausted and breathless at times, drinking water and beer without singing for extended periods of time.
At one point he again told a punter “I’ll punch you in the face”.
At another point less than 10 minutes in, he declared, “I can’t f**king breathe”.
The gig ended abruptly with a troupe of stage crew helping Di’Anno off the elevated stage after he appeared to gesture distress mid-song.
“I’m so sorry,” he told the crowd before he was taken off stage.
A band member was forced to address the crowd lingering for an encore: “We were meant to do more songs for you guys. You deserved it, but he’s not feeling well.”
“He apologises … He’ll come next time and do more shows for you guys.”
Di’Anno recorded two classic albums with Iron Maiden – 1980’s self-titled Iron Maiden and 1981’s Killers – but was fired and later replaced by Bruce Dickinson who remains with the band today.
After leaving Iron Maiden, Di’Anno went on to front a number of other bands, including Killers and Battlezone, and also released several solo records.
A Facebook post by Di’Anno’s official account hinted that the Australian tour would potentially cause some discomfort for the rocker. However, the poster was confident logistics would make the tour “easy for Paul”.
“He will be in top hotels, he will have four days to recover from jet lag, he will have medical services available in every city, Chris Dale will be with him 24/7 plus another strong person to help him go to bed and with everything,” it read.
“Paul will always be accompanied in a nice and airconditioned place. An air-conditioned adapted car will be waiting for him at the hotel and to each airport, as well as on the way from the hotel to the venue and vice versa.”
The post said Di’Anno would have “customised dressing rooms” at each venue and people to lift him onto the stage, if needed.
“It will be easy because you travel from each city to another by plane and no flight is longer than three hours,” it read.
“Enough time to sleep, go to the airport and be rested for the new concert. I’ll let you know what happens.”
While footage from the gigs shows some onlookers appearing dejected, the social media response from metal fans in attendance has been positive.
“Pretty solid show of early Maiden to boot!” one exclaimed.
“Wowsa – changed somewhat but still sounds awesome,” an attendee of the Perth gig posted.
Williams ended his blistering piece, stating: “Paul Di’Anno is someone I have admired for decades and to see what he’s become is just heartbreaking.”
“With four more shows in the current Australian tour maybe he’ll pull it back. For his sake and the sake of his fans I hope he does.”
The singer performs tonight at the Prince Bandroom in St Kilda before heading to Sydney’s Factory Theatre for a gig on a Saturday night.
Tickets for both gigs are $65 for general admission or $150 for “VIP general admission,” including a meet and greet.
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