Photo: Danny Clifford/Hottwire.net/WENN
Iron Maiden stars have paid tribute to former drummer Clive Burr, who this week died after a lengthy battle with multiple sclerosis.
Burr joined the band in 1979, playing on their first three albums - including The Number of the Beast - after leaving his band Samson to do so. He left Iron Maiden in 1982, citing personal issues as well as the stress of touring, but later appeared on recordings with Twisted Sister star Dee Snider, Elixir and Gogmagog.
When he was diagnosed with MS, Burr's former Iron Maiden bandmates performed charity concerts in his aid and created the Clive Burr MS Trust fund. In his later years, Burr was confined to a wheelchair and died on Tuesday in his sleep.
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson said of Burr's death, "I first met Clive when he was leaving Samson and joining Iron Maiden. 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 (Burr's wife) Mimi and the family."
Iron Maiden staged a benefit concert for Burr in 2005
Bassist Steve Harris added, "This is terribly sad news. 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."
