Former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr dead at 56; suffered from MS

London, England, United Kingdom (4E) – Clive Burr, 56, former drummer of British heavy metal band Iron Maiden died in his sleep Tuesday night in his home, years into suffering from multiple sclerosis.

The news was published in the band’s website on Wednesday. Fellow member Steve Harris, who played the bass, said in a statement, “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.”

Vocalist Bruce Dickinson recalled how he and Burr first met when the latter was leaving his former band Samson, where Dickinson was also member, and joining Iron Maiden. Dickinson added, “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 humor or irreverence. This is a terribly sad day and all our thoughts are with Mimi and the family.”

Born in London on March 8, 1957, Burr joined Iron Maiden in 1979 and was part of the band’s three albums Iron Maiden (1980), Killers (1981) and The Number of The Beast (1982).

Burr subsequently left Iron Maiden and went on to work on other projects. Dee Snider, who Burr worked with on Desperado, said on his website, “We worked together on a project called Desperado from 1988-1990 and shared some great times, and sadly forgotten musical moments. I’m blessed to have spoken to him a couple of days ago on his birthday, shared some memories and a few smiles. A rock n roll legend has been lost, and the world of music is less because of it. RIP Clive and ‘hit ‘em hard’ in rock n roll heaven.”

In 1994, Burr was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which kept him from playing any more music. His former Iron Maiden band mates was with him all along, helping Burr ease his living and medical expenses by forming the Clive Burr MS Trust and performing benefit concerts for the late drummer’s sake.

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