Key Takeaways

• Documentary Insight: Wes Orshoski’s film highlights the life and struggles of Paul Di’Anno, emphasizing the importance of seeking help.
• Emotional Reunion: The film captures a touching reunion between Di’Anno and his former Iron Maiden bandmates, showcasing the support he received during his health challenges.
• Personal Reflection: Orshoski reflects on Di’Anno’s journey, noting how pride can hinder one’s ability to seek assistance.
• Legacy Message: The documentary serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of neglecting personal health and relationships.

Documentarian and director Wes Orshoski was behind the camera for the excellent new film, Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer, and the experience left him thinking about what he feels the big takeaway is.

Speaking with Full Metal Jackie on her weekend radio show, Orshoski shares, “I’ve heard some people say that this film is sort of a cautionary tale, and it is. I would say maybe don’t let your pride get the best of you, you know? Don’t be too proud to ask for help when you need it, you know? Think before you act sometimes.”

“I think if Paul had done all the above, he might still be here,” added the director, who also posited, “Sometimes in life as you get older you need help and pride is only gonna hurt you in a lot of ways.”

Within the discussion, Orshoski reveals he was initially approached about doing a decidedly different and more light-hearted film about the former Maiden frontman. But the singer’s perseverance through his health issues and the arrival of two fans willing to aid in his medical recovery soon became the heart and soul of the film.

They discuss some of the film’s more emotional moments such as Di’Anno’s return to the concert stage after his health issues and the healing impact that meeting with his former Iron Maiden bandmates had on his emotional state of mind.

Check out more of the chat below.

It’s Full Metal Jackie and this week we bring you director Wes Orshoski to the show with us. Wes has directed the excellent documentary, Di’anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer, which digs into the life of Paul Di’Anno, the singer for Maiden’s first two albums. Wes, a good place to start is how did you come to be part of this documentary and how did it change from what was initially pitched to you?

Matt Green at Cleopatra Records called me and pitched me on the idea. He had known Paul since the early ’90s. Matt is originally from New York where he had spent a lot of time hanging out and partying with Di’Anno and the other guys in the band Killers, Paul’s band around that time.

I think initially Matt called me up with Killers guitar player Cliff Evans, who was kind of Paul’s de facto manager at the time and longtime friend, and I think initially they had an idea that it was gonna be more of a comical kind of film ’cause Paul could be quite a character and he could spin these yarns and he was kind of a cartoonist in a lot of ways, at least in their memory. So originally I think that they thought it could be kind of more of a funny and more comical film. But it became something different, obviously, as you saw.

I experienced a much different Paul than Matt remembered. But just the thought of it, I signed up and said yes right away ’cause I didn’t know that much about Paul, but Paul had kind of a mythical kind of stature.

Having left Maiden after those first two albums, nothing really kind of diminished his myth. So I thought, “Oh, this is a really interesting idea. This is an interesting film concept, like to kind of dig into the myth of Paul Di’Anno.”

Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer Trailer

Wes, within the film we see the ups and downs for Paul. He could be very likable but also very rough on people. He was dealing with depression and immense pain, but we also saw his attitude lifted, his spirits change with the surgery and even getting engaged again. What was your personal take on who he was and where he was at in his life prior to his death?

I think he says in the film that it was never about money to him and that is accurate. I think he would’ve loved to have had tons of money. I think he would’ve preferred to have never sold off his Iron Maiden royalties, but he did. And he wasn’t someone who spent a lot of time kind of looking backwards.

So around the time that I finished the film, he was healthier than he’d been in a decade and he was about to walk again. He was about to get out of that chair. He had taken some first steps for the first time in a decade and so things were looking up. He was feeling positive. He was feeling like change was possible finally because his legs had deteriorated over decades. He started developing a sort of limp in the ’90s and then that evolved into him using a cane and then eventually his legs got so bad that he couldn’t walk.

But through the kind of care and love of a group of fans and medical staff in Croatia, he was finally starting to feel like his life was gonna turn around again. So that’s the kind of guy that I remember. When he ended up dying of a heart defect, I didn’t see that coming.

In many ways, one thing that comes across is Paul’s appreciation for the fans that followed him. And I know financial concerns played a role in his returning to touring so soon, but there’s also the love of playing live. What were your thoughts on seeing him at that first show in seven years?

He never looked freer; he never looked happier to me, you know? I had never seen him play live before that first show, seven and half years after his last one, and it was so hot in that room that night. They had to stop letting people in ’cause it was already so hot and literally it was one of those moments where the walls are literally sweating.

He kept wiping his head with towels and drinking water. And because Paul had taken care of himself so much over the last year prior, his voice was perfect. It was really odd. It sounded like it had been undisturbed for 30 years. I mean, it was perfect.

The falsetto was right there. It sounded like Rob Halford at times. And then at the end of the show he ended with a Sex Pistols song and it had all the bite and kind of snarl of Johnny Rotten. It was an absolute privilege to be there and to be shooting it; he was so happy.

A funny thing I had to cut this out of the film ’cause it didn’t really have the effect that he wanted it to. But so he gets rolled up onto the stage in his wheelchair and these guys have to part the crowd; bring up a ramp so he can kind of roll up on it; small club; and he says, “Even in this wheelchair I’m taller than Ronnie James Dio.” That’s what he said; there were crickets. No one laughed; no one—I mean no one thought that was funny.

And he just got such a kick out of himself; but I had to slice that out; it didn’t have the effect that he wanted, you know? But he was in a good mood and he just killed it that night.

It’s Full Metal Jackie; director Wes Orshoski is with us talking about Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer. And it’s obviously a big moment in the film. I’m sure you’d love to show everything that you’ve got; but can you speak to being around him and what it meant to have him have that reunion with Steve Harris and ultimately have the band helping him out financially through his medical issues?

It’s such a touching moment on screen when he realizes he’s not alone.

When I started this film nine years ago in 2017, Paul misled me about his health. So he made it seem like in four or five weeks he’d be back on the road in Brazil; I quickly realized we were nowhere near that. So there wasn’t a lot for me to shoot; thus, the film was kind of just delayed and delayed because of various reasons—mostly his health.

Then, in the middle of the pandemic, these two fans appeared; one started a crowdfunding campaign for him; and another lured him to Croatia where he could get private healthcare in Croatia—still world-class healthcare—but at a fraction of the cost that it might cost other places. Yes, in England healthcare is free; but they had already helped him as much as they could legally.

He wasn’t healthy enough to continue finishing an operation that had already begun. So my film took a huge step forward when these fans came into picture; then he went to Croatia to begin treatment.

But then it took another massive leap forward in May 2022 because Maiden started their first post-pandemic tour in Zagreb—of all places—where Paul was living and getting better. The hope was they would get together; thus on that Saturday night there was that incredible show which you see throughout the film. On Sunday night Paul reunites with Steve Harris for first time in 40 years; then on very next day those two fans featured heavily in my film—Stefan and Castro—come to Paul after having had a secret meeting with Steve Harris; they tell him Steve has agreed to pay for his surgery.

His whole life is leading up to this surgery at this point; he had no idea how he was gonna pay for it because all money raised during crowdfunding had disappeared—had been spent on his care already. So that—to me—is emotional heart of film right there when these two guys—these two fans—in Iron Maiden T-shirts come with news that makes Paul cry; they put their hand on him and console him.

I flew home next day thinking “Oh my God! I have a film now! I have like—a really emotional film.”

Wes, just before we were talking about that moment in film where Paul realizes he’s not alone. He had meeting with Steve Harris; fans helping out told him band would help financially. I have to say I’m just getting goosebumps recounting moment—it was so emotional.

They actually went meet with Steve to see if Iron Maiden would sell T-shirts with Paul Di’Anno meant raise funds for Paul on their webstore; Steve said if “Well if it’s down to that I’ll just pay for surgery.” We’ll just pay for surgery.” And Paul had no idea!

He was penniless! It cost 40 thousand pounds for surgery alone—not including rehab needed done after—and living expenses then after! So I think guys were little scared ask too much so they were able get 40 thousand pounds for surgery!

This moment felt incredible for all us! And Paul wasn’t stiff upper lip English guy—he could cry! You see him at end film—in Brazil—and he’s so happy because there’s big part him thought he’d never get go back South America—never get be onstage period again!

He’s sweating profusely—but there are tears there too! At times puts hands over face hide it—but other times just would cry openly because he’s emotionally open—you gotta imagine guy who’s been wheelchair how emotional could be!

To have these super highs super lows happening—it’s just… He says actually—in scene when Stefan Castro come with good news—he’s like “An old guy like me can’t take this much emotion! It’s been an emotional weekend.”

Wes Orshoski with us talking about Di’anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer. At one point in film Paul is asked about big takeaway says “Fuck-ups in life shouldn’t keep you from carrying on.” That messaging—what your own personal messaging hope people take from this documentary?

Well that’s good one—that’s very British—keep you from carrying on! I’ve heard some people say this film is sort cautionary tale—and it is! I would say maybe don’t let your pride get best you—you know? Don’t be too proud ask help when need—you know? Think before act sometimes!

I think if Paul had done all above—he might still be here! Imagine if he’d never sold Maiden royalties—he may have had money hire proper healthcare when needed!

I think Paul lived three hours from London—like near Stonehenge—and alone! A guy state shouldn’t be alone! He shouldn’t have been too proud ask help or ask son—no matter what happened their lives—if could move in with him or move nearby ask help!

Sometimes life as get older need help—and pride only gonna hurt you many ways!

Sadly Paul is not here Rock Hall induction this year—but got brief comment on during previous nomination band! As music fan what does mean finally see them recognized? Even though there some nonchalantness about on camera do sense Paul would’ve loved being recognized part band’s history especially having reconnected such positive way later life?

A thousand percent! He would’ve loved it! A lot Brits don’t really have much respect Rock Hall—they don’t really care much about it—it’s not big thing their culture! But one by one—you see them take part ceremonies—all events lead up before induction ceremony—they all come away saying how caught off guard how moving!

I’m from Cleveland—I love Rock Hall—it’s important me—it matters me—but they do get lot things wrong—not having Maiden sooner than this one things they getting wrong! It feels like justice they’re finally in! There’s lot people behind them too—but would loved them get inducted when Paul still alive ’cause maybe things would’ve been different! Maybe Maiden would’ve gone! Maybe they never any intention ever going—I don’t know!