The original lead singer of a legendary heavy metal band is dead at age 69.
Paul Mario Day, who was part of the new wave of British heavy metal in the 1980s with Iron Maiden and More, died at his home in Australia Tuesday. A cause of death was not immediately announced.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the great More vocalist Paul Mario Day,” More wrote in a Facebook statement. “Paul was a huge part of the NWOBHM from his time in an early version of Iron Maiden, and of course his fantastic performance on the ‘Warhead’ album.”
According to Ultimate Classic Rock, Day joined Iron Maiden in 1975 and was replaced less than a year later with Dennis Wilcock. The English metal band went through multiple lineup changes over the years, releasing its debut album in 1980 with singer Paul Di’Anno and replacing him two years later with “Run to the Hills” vocalist Bruce Dickinson.
Day formed More in 1980, leading the band on its debut album, “Warhead.” He left the metal group before its second and final album, going on to form Wildfire in the mid-’80s and later joining a reformed version of Sweet, the glam metal group known for “The Ballroom Blitz,” “Fox on the Run” and “Love is Like Oxygen.”
Current Sweet guitarist Andy Scott said the voice of “PMD” on the band’s “Live at the Marquee” album “has stood the test of time… A sad day for all Sweet fans.”
“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,” More said of Day. “(Current More singer) Mike Freeland remembers him fondly as a ‘bloody great vocalist!’ 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.’ 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! Thank you.”
Day is survived by his wife Cecily and other family and friends.
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