Clive Burr, best known for his years drumming in the heavy metal band Iron Maiden, died at his home on March 12 according to a statement on the band's Facebook page. He was 56.
Burr suffered from Multiple Sclerosis, and according to the statement "had suffered poor health for many years." The treatment left him in debt, but the band staged concerts to form the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund, which had raised over $350,000 by 2007 to assist.
He had been a member of the band Samson before joining Iron Maiden in 1979, then played on three of their albums before leaving in 1982.
Maiden bassist Steve Harris said in the 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."
Singer 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. This is a terribly sad day and all our thoughts are with Mimi and the family."
Check out Burr and the band performing "Run to the Hills" off the 1982 album "Number of the Beast":
Related content: