Paul Mario Day, the original vocalist of Iron Maiden, has died at the age of 69. An announcement was made on The Sweet Official Facebook page.
Sweet guitarist Andy Scott confirmed Day’s passing. He shared details about their professional relationship and Day’s contributions to the band.
“Paul Mario Day RIP,” Scott said. “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.”
Scott described their successful touring experiences and recording achievements with Day as the vocalist.
“Our first dates were in Australia, total sell-outs which boded well for the future,” he continued. “Europe followed suit and 3 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.”
Scott concluded his tribute by noting Day’s musical background. He expressed condolences to his family.
“PMD was the original singer with Iron Maiden and had a stint with the band More before joining Sweet,” Scott said. “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’s musical journey began decades before his collaboration with Sweet. This marked him as a significant figure in the early development of British heavy metal.
Ultimate Classic Rock reported that Day was born on April 19, 1956. He joined Iron Maiden in December 1975 at the age of 19, becoming their first vocalist. His tenure with the legendary metal band was brief but historically important. It lasted less than a year before he was replaced in October 1976 due to what was described as a lack of stage charisma.
Day continued to pursue his musical career with various projects after his departure from Iron Maiden. Loudwire noted that he formed the band More in 1980, releasing their debut album Warhead in 1981. He left before their second album, 1982’s Blood & Thunder. Day also briefly fronted the band Wildfire from 1983 to 1984. This showcased his versatility as a vocalist across different rock projects.
Day’s career included notable live performances that cemented his place in rock history. Parade revealed that he performed at the legendary 1981 Monsters of Rock show at Castle Donington. He shared the stage with AC/DC, Whitesnake, Def Leppard, and other major acts of the era. This performance highlighted his continued relevance in the rock scene even after his brief time with Iron Maiden.
Day relocated to Australia in 1986. He maintained his connection to music while building a new life. He continued writing songs and performing with local bands. This demonstrated his lifelong dedication to his craft until his peaceful passing at his Australian home.
