Clive Burr, the drummer who appeared on Iron Maiden’s first three albums, has passed away. Burr had been suffering from Multiple Sclerosis for many years.
“This is terribly sad news,” said Maiden founder/bassist Steve Harris on the group’s official site. “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.”
Prior to joining Iron Maiden in 1979, Burr was the drummer for British metal band, Samson, the same band which Bruce Dickinson would leave in 1981 to also join Maiden. Burr’s drumming was a major ingredient on the band’s self-titled debut (1980), Killers (1981) and The Number of the Beast (1982). In December 1982, following the band’s second world tour dubbed The Beast on the Road, Burr was replaced by Nicko McBrain due to personal and tour schedule problems.
After leaving Maiden, Burr appeared on recordings by such metal acts as Trust, Stratus, Gogmagog, Elixir, Desperado and Praying Mantis.
“I first met Clive when he was leaving Samson and joining Iron Maiden,” added Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson on the group’s site. “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. This is a terribly sad day and all our thoughts are with Mimi and the family.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC4TFUhUc7w