Iron Maiden’s founding bassist Steve Harris recently opened up about the difficult decision to part ways with original vocalist Paul Di’Anno. He shared candid insights about the band’s early struggles in an interview with Louder Sound.
Harris addressed the challenging circumstances surrounding Di’Anno’s departure after the “Killers” album. He reflected on both the personal difficulty of the decision and the band’s uncertain financial future during their formative years.
When asked directly about firing Paul Di’Anno after “Killers” was completed, Harris provided a honest assessment of the situation.
“It was a tough one, really tough. To a certain degree it’s always been tough when it comes to that sort of thing. But having said that, he was given chances to put himself right. It’s just one of those things,” Harris said.
The bassist also revealed the band’s precarious financial situation during their early years. He expressed uncertainty about whether Iron Maiden could become a sustainable career.
“Well, with these things you’re never really that sure. It could go either way. But I remember being in EMI, when we did the second album, and thinking: ‘Are we ever going to really make a career out of this where I can actually do it as a proper job?'” he continued. “Up to the third album, we didn’t really earn anything. Everything that we earned, even publishing and everything, just went straight back in. So it enabled us to tour. And we weren’t borrowing loads of money off the record company, which would have meant we’d be in debt for ever.”
Harris’s reflections shed light on a pivotal moment in Iron Maiden’s history that would ultimately shape their trajectory as one of heavy metal’s most enduring acts.
The “Killers” album was released in February 1981. It marked a significant transition period for the band. Wikipedia noted this was Iron Maiden’s second studio release, produced by Martin Birch and featuring new guitarist Adrian Smith, who had joined the band to replace Dennis Stratton. The album represented the end of an era, as it would be Di’Anno’s final recording with the group.
Behind the scenes, Di’Anno’s departure was driven by serious performance issues that went beyond creative differences. Wikipedia reported the vocalist was ultimately fired due to problems with his stage performances that stemmed from alcohol and cocaine use. These issues had begun to significantly impact the band’s live shows and professional commitments.
Despite the internal turmoil, “Killers” achieved notable commercial success that validated Harris’s cautious optimism about the band’s future. MaidenFans documented that the album has sold over 211,000 copies worldwide. This demonstrated the band’s growing fanbase even during this transitional period.
The album’s commercial performance also earned significant industry recognition. ChartMasters confirmed “Killers” achieved gold certifications in both the UK (100,000 units) and the United States (500,000 units). This provided the financial foundation that would allow Iron Maiden to continue investing in their touring and recording capabilities without accumulating the crushing debt that Harris had feared.
These revelations provide rare insight into the business realities and personal challenges that shaped one of heavy metal’s most influential bands during their crucial early period.
