Bruce Dickinson and Paul Di’Anno Meet for the First Time

Scheduling coincidences led to Iron Maiden singers Bruce Dickinson and Paul Di’Anno meeting for the first time ever last night (July 13).

The encounter took place in Zagreb, Croatia, where Dickinson was performing to support his solo album The Mandrake Project. Di’Anno, on the other hand, was in town promoting his debut album with his new band Warhorse.

The pair’s brief chat can be seen in a short video clip.

Di’Anno, 66, joined Maiden in 1978 when the band lineup was still evolving. He fronted Steve Harris’ group for the recording of The Soundhouse Tapes, the demo that secured their record deal, and subsequently for their self-titled debut LP in 1980 and Killers in 1981. He was dismissed after clashing with Harris and manager Rod Smallwood, but in 2020 Di’Anno said he didn’t blame them for the decision.

Dickinson, 65, took over as lead singer for the band’s breakthrough album The Number of the Beast and remained during their classic era until quitting in 1993. He returned six years later and has been the frontman ever since.

The 45-second clip features the iconic singers discussing physical health, with wheelchair-bound Di’Anno explaining how his limited movement affects his mental health as he awaits knee surgery. He humorously admits, “I won’t be getting back on the Harley any time soon” before telling Dickinson, “Right then, I’m going to have to fly, me old mate!”

Di’Anno reunited with Harris in 2022 – also in Zagreb – marking their first meeting since the split. A month later, it was announced that Maiden had agreed to cover the costs of Di’Anno’s surgery, ending a fan-led fundraising campaign.

“[I]t was brilliant because I met up with Steve’s sister Linda first, whom I hadn’t seen in about 30 years,” Di’Anno said about the reunion. “And then Steve was amazing, and then Rod as well – it’s made my whole year, actually. It was fantastic.”

Warhorse’s 10-track debut album is set for release on July 19 via BraveWords Records. The band recently released a video for their lead track “Here Comes the Night,” which has also been shared online.

Watch Bruce Dickinson and Paul Di’Anno’s First Meeting

Watch Paul Di’Anno’s Warhorse Perform ‘Here Comes the Night’