Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr dies aged 56

British rockers Iron Maiden have paid tribute to their former drummer Clive Burr after he lost his battle with multiple sclerosis on Tuesday.

The percussionist died in his sleep at the age of 56 after a long struggle with the debilitating illness.

Burr joined Iron Maiden from fellow rock band Samson in 1979 and played on their first three albums, including their breakthrough record “The Number of the Beast.”

He left the band in 1982 due to personal issues and the stress of heavy touring schedules, but continued his rock career with several other bands, including alongside former Twisted Sister star Dee Snider in “Desperado.”

Following news of Burr’s death, Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson said, “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 humor or irreverence. This is a terribly sad day and all our thoughts are with (Burr’s wife) Mimi and the family.”

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.”


Former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr has died aged 56.

The drummer, who joined the band in 1979 and drummed on the first three albums ('Iron Maiden', 'Killers' and 'The Number Of The Beast'), had been suffering from multiple sclerosis and reportedly died in his sleep at home.

In a statement, published on the heavy metal group's website, founding member Steve Harris described Burr as a "wonderful person and an amazing drummer who made a valuable contribution to Maiden in the early days when we were starting out."

The bassist said: "This is terribly sad news. Clive was a very old friend of all of us. 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."

Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson added: "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."

Following the statement from the band, musicians paid tribute to the drummer. Frank Turner tweeted, "Sad to hear of the passing of Clive Burr, original Maiden drummer. Killers was the first album I owned. Will play it loud today," while Megadeth bassist David Ellefson simply described Burr as his "all-time favourite metal drummer.

Clive Burr was born in East London in 1958. He was a member of UK metal band Samson before joining Iron Maiden in 1979, where he was drummer until 1982. Burr was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001.