PAUL DI'ANNO: I'm Not The Right Guy For The ANTHRAX Singer Job

Rock N Roll Universe recently conducted an interview with former IRON MAIDEN vocalist Paul Di'Anno. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Rock N Roll Universe: You recently released a new album here in the U.S., "The Living Dead", which is your first all new album in nearly six years. How do you feel the album turned out, and why has it been so long between albums with all new material?

Paul Di'Anno: The record industry is not what it used to be, so I shopped material for a deal just like everyone else...and I've been quite busy playing live the last couple of years.

Rock N Roll Universe: Also recently you put out "The Classics: The Iron Maiden Years", which consists of 12 re recorded versions of songs culled from the first two IRON MAIDEN albums. Now, there are some "fans" who have been very critical of this release, saying that you're still trading upon past glories by recording versions of songs you originally recorded over 25 years ago. What led you to the decision to put out the album, and what is your response to someone who might feel that way?

Paul Di'Anno: Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I've always thought the first MAIDEN album sounded awful (I know Steve [Harris] agrees with me),and I wanted to update the songs a bit. I'm hardly making any money of it, so it's not like I rip anyone off.

Rock N Roll Universe: It's been over 25 years since the first MAIDEN album came out, which makes the band eligible to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Is that something which you would like to see happen, and what do you feel your chances would be to be inducted as well? What are your feelings regarding all of that?

Paul Di'Anno: Don't really care for stuff like that. We got enough respect from our fans, and that's more than enough.

Rock N Roll Universe: How would you rate your vocal successors in IRON MAIDEN, Paul?

Paul Di'Anno: MAIDEN is a very different band with Bruce. He's great though. But I do the early stuff better, I think.

Rock N Roll Universe: Several months back there was an online petition started by fans of ANTHRAX to get the members of that band to consider you as the next vocalist for the band. What's your opinion regarding that, and if you were asked by the band, would you consider joining?

Paul Di'Anno: I don't mind. ANTHRAX is a great band, and Scott [Ian] is a great bloke. But I don't think I'm the man for the job.

Rock N Roll Universe: You've been in the business for over three decades now. Are there any goals, musically or otherwise that you'd still like to achieve?

Paul Di'Anno: I really want to make a classic crooner album...some old +Elvis tunes, Sinatra...I'm not kidding!

To access the entire interview go to this location.