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Former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr passes away

Former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr passes away

THE former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr has passed away at the age of 56.

Mr. Burr, who had been suffering from multiple sclerosis, had joined the band in 1979 and played on their first three albums — Iron Maiden, Killers and The Number of the Beast (see below). He had originally been a member of Samson.

He left Iron Maiden at the end of 1982, just as the band was about to become global stars. In the years that followed Mr. Burr was to play in recordings by a number of metal bands, including Trust, Elixir and Desperado.

But in 2001 he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. His former bandmates in Iron Maiden rallied to his side and helped set up the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund. They also played a number of charity concerts to raise money for their former drummer.

Iron Maiden’s founder and bass player, Steve Harris, led tributes to Mr. Burr.

He said: “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.”

The band’s Bruce Dickinson also paid tribute. He said: “I first met Clive when 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 MS, Clive never lost his sense of humour or irreverence.”

To see footage of Iron Maiden performing The Number of the Beast, click here.

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