The lead singer who was the voice of English heavy metal band Iron Maiden as it began its influential career has died, his record label has announced.

Conquest Music released a statement Monday morning confirming the death of Paul Andrew, known professionally as Paul Di’Anno. Di’Anno sang on Iron Maiden’s eponymous 1980 debut album and on its 1981 sophomore album, “Killers.” He was credited for co-writing the band’s first single, “Running Free,” and the title track of “Killers.”

The band replaced him with Bruce Dickinson in 1981; Conquest said that since then Di’Anno had “a long and eventful recording career with Battlezone and Killers as well as numerous solo releases and guest appearances.”

Iron Maiden said on social media that band members were “deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Paul Di’Anno earlier today.” The band’s statement contined: “Paul’s contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been travelling as a band for almost five decades. His pioneering presence as a frontman and vocalist, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be very fondly remembered not just by us, but by fans around the world.”

The label said that the vocalist had been “troubled by severe health issues in recent years” but had sung at more than 100 shows since 2023 despite having to perform in a wheelchair. According to Conquest, he was 66 and died at his home in Salisbury, England.

He also had released a career retrospective album, “The Book of the Beast” in September. According to promotional materials for that album, a “no holds barred” documentary on Di’Anno was in the works and was expected to be ready for festival screenings in late 2024.

“Conquest Music are proud to have had Paul Di’Anno in our artist family and ask his legion of fans to raise a glass in his memory,” said the label’ statement.

“It’s just so sad he’s gone,” Iron Maiden cofounder Steve Harris. “I was in touch with him only recently as we texted each other about West Ham and their ups and downs. At least he was still gigging until recently, it was something that kept him going, to be out there whenever he could. He will be missed by us all. Rest in peace mate.”