“If you’re a singer, you’re totally reliant on your body. You can't put a bit more distortion on your amp or use effects. You can’t compensate. You’re very exposed”: Why Iron Maiden had to change their singer to reach the next level

Paul Di'Anno in 1981.

It was in 1981 that Iron Maiden’s bassist and leader Steve Harris made the most important decision in the band’s entire career — replacing singer Paul Di’Anno with a new frontman, Bruce Dickinson.

And as Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith says now, it was a decision made out of necessity.