Video: Wheelchair-Bound Former IRON MAIDEN Singer PAUL DI'ANNO Performs In Japan

On March 13, former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno performed at a special NWOBHM symposium in Tokai, Japan. Video footage of his performance — during which he was backed by members of the classic Japanese metal bands OUTRAGE and UNITED — can be seen below.

Di'Anno told Argentina's CM TV last August that "injuries" to his knee have forced him to sit down while performing. He added: "But it's worked in Wacken [at the Wacken Open Air festival], and everywhere in Brazil. I think the fans don't give a shit to see me; they just wanna hear me sing. So maybe six months I have to do this before the [knee] operation. I still wanna play, so I sit down and sing."

A year ago, Di'Anno spoke in more detail about the condition of his knee which is making it impossible for him to stand up and perform. He said: "I don't wanna swear… [Laughs] but it's fucked. It's actually fucked. Because this has been [going on for] seven years. 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."

Di'Anno added: "I can't take it anymore. And it will be so nice to be pain-free [after] seven years."

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

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