Paul Di’Anno, the former frontman of Iron Maiden, recently opened up about his past struggles with health and finances, exposing a staggering amount of unpaid royalties he is owed. In an exclusive interview with Mexico’s MB Live, Di’Anno was questioned about his ongoing receipt of royalties for his recordings with Iron Maiden and other projects post-Iron Maiden.
In recent years, Di’Anno has been grappling with persistent health issues that have necessitated multiple surgeries and treatments, resulting in significant financial strain. However, the singer disclosed that Iron Maiden stepped in to assist him with the expenses for his knee surgery, which took place in Croatia last September.
Despite receiving some royalties, Di’Anno asserted that he is owed millions due to unauthorized sales of his music by individuals without his consent. He expressed gratitude to Sony Records and Warner Brothers for their support in helping him regain the fruits of his labor throughout the years.
Although earlier reports indicated that the singer was compensated by former manager Rod Stewart and was not receiving royalties for his recordings, Di’Anno clarified during the interview that he does receive royalties and that his agreement with Sony Publishing will facilitate the recovery of his lost earnings.
Regarding his knee surgery and royalty payments, Paul Di’Anno remarked, “The last part of it they did, because I ran out of money. [Laughs] It’s been very expensive. When I first fell ill, I had to be medically evacuated from Argentina, incurring substantial costs due to my transportation on a private medical plane. Upon arriving in England, I had a mere 45 minutes to live due to sepsis. They administered antibiotics to save me, and I spent eight months in the hospital. So, the band graciously covered the remaining months’ worth of treatment expenses, for which I will forever be grateful.”
He further stated, “Yes, I still receive royalties. I recently signed a deal with Sony Publishing, ensuring the recovery of all my royalties. Frankly, I’m owed a significant amount of money. I won’t have to worry about it anymore because people keep taking advantage of me. Numerous Battlezone CDs have been released in various formats and vinyl, but I haven’t seen any of that money. Thankfully, with Sony Records and Warner Brothers supporting us, that will change.”
This revelation from the former lead singer of Iron Maiden regarding the substantial unpaid royalties serves as a reminder of the critical importance of safeguarding artists’ intellectual property and ensuring fair compensation for their creative contributions. For Di’Anno, a brighter financial future awaits, with the backing of Sony Publishing and Warner Brothers.