Paul Mario Day: Tributes pour in for Iron Maiden, More and Sweet star following his death

7NEWS

a day ago

Paul Mario Day, the London-born and Australian-based original lead singer of Iron Maiden, has died at the age of 69.
The music legend 'passed away peacefully' at his home in Newcastle, NSW. He had reportedly been battling cancer.
His death has triggered a wave of tributes from within the music and broader entertainment industry, including from his former bands.
'Paul was a huge part of the new wave of British heavy metal from his time in an early version of Iron Maiden and of course his fantastic performance on the Warhead album,' British heavy metal outfit More posted of their bandmate.
'He was a well loved figure in British rock music and played many memorable shows, not least the legendary 1981 Monsters of Rock show at Castle Donington with AC/DC, Whitesnake/David Coverdale as well as tours with Iron Maiden, Def Leppard and many other legendary artists.
Current More vocalist Mike Freeland 'remembers him fondly as a bloody great vocalist', the band said.
'It's an honour for us to continue to play his music and we will always think of him every time we hit the opening notes to Warhead,' More continued.
'We send our deepest condolences to Paul's family and friends and also the many fans around the world who love his music.
'Play his music loud and sing along. Rock in peace Paul.'
'You've got to get better'
Day, born in April of 1956, joined Iron Maiden as their original singer in 1975.
But his stay with the band was short-lived and he was kicked out less than a year later, replaced by Dennis Wilcock.
The exit was blamed on Day's reported lack stage presence.
'(Bassist) Steve (Harris) was saying, 'You've got to get better. You've got to be more in the audience's face. You've got to be commanding. You've got to be a hero,' Day previously told Blabbermouth of his exit.
'And I agreed with him but I didn't actually know how to make that happen.
'As much as it hurt, as much as it upset me, I learnt a big lesson that day. I really did. I used that emotion, I guess, in my singing.'
Day would form More four years after leaving Iron Maiden, and the band released their debut album, Warhead, in 1981.
He later fronted bands including Wildfire and a reformed version of Sweet.
'In 1985 Mick Tucker and myself put together the first new line-up of Sweet after the hiatus of the original band. We needed a singer and when Paul arrived for the audition, we looked no further,' guitarist Andy Scott said.
'Our first dates were in Australia, total sell-outs which boded well for the future.
'Europe followed suit and three sold out nights at the Marquee in London produced a live album, video and DVD.
'Live at the Marquee did well in various charts around the world and Paul's vocal performance has stood the test of time.
'He passed away peacefully at his home in Australia. My deepest condolences to his wife Cecily and family and friends.
'A sad day for all Sweet fans.'
Day had lived in Australian since the mid 1980s.