New Iron Maiden Book, ‘The Paul Di’Anno Years’ Set For Publication
The Paul Di’Anno era of Iron Maiden is being celebrated in a new book that’s limited to just 666 copies worldwide. Following recently announced black-and-white books about Rush and KISS, Iron Maiden – The Paul Di’Anno Years is the third instalment of Rufus Publications’ Portraits series.
An unofficial release, Iron Maiden – The Paul Di’Anno Years is 230mm square, case-bound, 240 pages, and printed on luxury 170gsm matt coated paper. The book comes with a fold out poster and is presented in a black slipcase with a gold foil logo.
The main edition costs £50 and is limited to 666 units globally – the same run as each instalment in the Portraits series.
Those with much deeper pockets can purchase an ultra-limited Leather and Metal edition of Iron Maiden – The Paul Di’Anno Years measuring 375mm square and presented in recycled leather and a hand welded aluminium metal slipcase. It costs £500 and is limited to just 66 copies.
A description of Iron Maiden – The Paul Di’Anno Years reads: ‘Featuring hundreds of unseen, carefully restored, black and white images of the band at play, rehearsing, recording and of course, playing live at a series of pivotal gigs (including the legendary Ruskin Arms) the book charts their emergence as one of the UK’s most important Heavy Metal acts.
Advance PR says: “John Tucker has written a historical essay covering the period, and Kerrang’s founding editor and Sounds writer Geoff Barton shares his thoughts as the period when the band emerged as a major force in the British Heavy Metal scene.”
Paul Di’Anno was the lead vocalist with Iron Maiden from 1978 to 1981 and he performed on their seminal first two albums, Iron Maiden and Killers, before he was ousted from the band over his unreliable behaviour.
Last May, Paul Di’Anno reunited with Steve Harris backstage at Iron Maiden’s concert at Arena Zagreb. The following month, it emerged that Iron Maiden were paying the remaining costs for Di’Anno’s knee surgery in Croatia.
Steve Harris recently told Classic Rock that there were no bridges that needed mending at the meet-up. “Paul had said a few things about his time in Maiden, but that’s Paul,” Harris said. “It’s how he is and how he’ll always be. And I’ve no problem with that.”
Iron Maiden – The Paul Di’Anno Years goes on sale today, 10 March at 3pm UK time and will feature a 10% pre-order discount if ordered before 30 April 2023. The books will ship worldwide in July 2023.