Clive Burr, the former drummer for Iron Maiden who played on the British heavy metal band’s first three records, has died aged 56.
Burr’s former bandmates were “deeply saddened” to announce the news on the official Iron Maiden website, noting that after long suffering from multiple sclerosis, Burr “died peacefully in his sleep at home.”
“This is terribly sad news,” said bassist Steve Harris. “Clive was a very old friend of all of us. He was a wonderful person and an amazing drummer who made a valuable contribution to Maiden in the early days when we were starting out. This is a sad day for everyone in the band and those around him and our thoughts and condolences are with his partner Mimi and family at this time.”
Born in London on March 8th, 1957, Burr was a member of up-and-coming English hard rock band Samson, which also featured soon-to-be Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson, before joining Iron Maiden in 1979 at the invitation of then-Maiden guitarist Dennis Stratton.“Clive was a very old friend of all of us. He was a wonderful person and an amazing drummer who made a valuable contribution to Maiden in the early days.” – Steve Harris, Iron Maiden
Burr helped develop the band’s iconic sound, mixing the ferocity and energy of punk with the muscular attack of metal. He played on the band’s first three iconic albums; their 1980 self-titled debut, 1981’s Killers, and their most popular album 1982’s The Number Of The Beast, which became a chart-topping release in the UK.
Iron Maiden’s lineup fluctuated greatly in these early days, and Burr eventually left in December 1982, exiting the band just as they were to release a string of top-selling American albums and become a global concern.
The drummer went on to play with such groups as French band Trust, briefly with Lacatrazz, in the lineup for Gomagog (along with ex-Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno and future Maiden guitarist Janick Gers). He also formed his own lineup called Cliver Burr’s Escape, who later switched to Stratus, but joined ex-Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider in his band Desperado.
During the 90s, Burr played with the likes of Elixir and Praying Mantis, but never became a full-time member of either due to his personal health issues after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
The drummer eventually became wheelchair bound through his condition, and his former Iron Maiden bandmates performed several concerts and founded the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund in a bid to raise money for sufferers of multiple sclerosis. Burr then later became the patron of Clive Aid, a charity formed in 2004 that raised awareness and funds for various multiple sclerosis and cancer initiatives through rock concerts.
Burr’s former Samson and Iron Maiden colleague, Bruce Dickinson, offered his condolences on the drummer’s passing. Saying “he was a great guy and a man who really lived his life to the full. Even during the darkest days of his M.S., Clive never lost his sense of humour or irreverence. This is a terribly sad day and all our thoughts are with Mimi and the family.”
