PAUL DI'ANNO On BRUCE DICKINSON: 'The Guy's A Great Man And A Great Singer, And I Wish Him All The Best'

June 25, 2015

Former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno has wished his replacement, Bruce Dickinson, a "good recovery" from his battle with cancer.

Dickinson was recently given the all-clear after being diagnosed with a tumor on his tongue late last year.

The 56-year-old vocalist, who joined IRON MAIDEN in 1981 after the band fired Di'Anno, was diagnosed with cancer after a routine check-up just before Christmas.

Bruce underwent chemotherapy and radiology and was told last month he was in the clear after specialists conducted an MRI scan of his tongue.

During an appearance with his new band ARCHITECTS OF CHAOZ at the Rock Hard Festival in Gelsenkirchen, Germany on May 22, Di'Anno initially made fun of his diminutive replacement, saying "now I look like Bruce Dickinson, because I'm small," while sitting on the stage between songs. He then added (see video below): "Nah, listen… I want everyone to wish Bruce Dickinson fucking good health and happiness, man. The guy's a fucking great man and a great singer, and I wish him all the best, and I hope [he has] a good recovery, man. I've been there myself twice, so… Bruce, get well soon, buddy."

Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN before being replaced by Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.

Di'Anno was scheduled to undergo knee surgery earlier this month. He said in a recent interview: "I should have done this seven years ago. And now all the ligament is gone and all it basically is is bone rubbing against bone. And, oh my God, it's so painful some days, it's unbelievable. And through my mother, I caught osteoporosis [a progressive bone disease in which the bone density reduces over years] as well. When you get to a certain age. And [I can't be] buggered with that. [I'm like], sod this; I can't be dealing with it. So [fixing] the knee will make it a lot better."

ARCHITECTS OF CHAOZ, the new band featuring Di'Anno alongside members of Paul's longtime German touring backing group THE PHANTOMZ, will release its debut album, "The League Of Shadows", in North America on July 24 via Metalville Records.

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