Vorig week overleed voormalig Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr aan de gevolgen van multiple sclerosis (MS), een ziekte waaraan hij al jaren leed. Hij stierf thuis tijdens zijn slaap en werd 56 jaar oud.

Clive Burr sloot zich in 1979 aan bij Iron Maiden en drumde op het debuut Iron Maiden (1980), Killers (1981) en de klassieker The Number Of The Beast (1982). Voor Iron Maiden drumde hij bij Samson, de band waarbij ook zanger Bruce Dickinson vroeger achter de microfoon stond. Na zijn vertrek c.q. ontslag bij Iron Maiden, drumde Clive Burr nog voor diverse projecten en bandjes waaronder Desperado met Twisted Sister zanger Dee Snider.

Burr was bekend om zijn energieke drumstijl en was meer een motor achter de band dan zijn opvolger Nicko McBrain. Die drummerwissel was overigens niet gepland. Burr moest tijdens een tournee terug naar huis i.v.m. trieste familieomstandigheden. McBrain nam zijn taken over nadat de rest van de band had gemeld dat Burr naar huis kon om e.e.a. te regelen. Na zijn terugkeer bleek hij niet meer nodig en was Nicko McBrain de nieuwe drummer.

Iron Maiden richtte in 2002 het Clive Burr MS Trust Fund op om hun voormalige drummer financieel te steunen.

Iron Maiden oprichter en bassist Steve Harris zei: “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.”

Zanger Bruce Dickinson voegde daar aan toe: “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.”

Voormalig Iron Maiden zanger Paul Di’Anno die op de eerste twee albums van de band zong reageerde als volgt: “Sad to hear of your passing. You will always be in my heart, Clive. A truly unique talent that will never be forgotten.”

Voormalig guitarist Dennis Stratton: “I am so sad that I have lost an old mate. So glad I saw Clive and [his partner] Mimi last year. God bless, mate. Now you can jam wiv Mooney [Keith Moon], [John] Bonham and all the other drummers up there. Our song. The greatest luv of all.”

Iron Maiden is een van de grootste heavy metal bands ter wereld. Tal van muzikanten reageerden op zijn heengaan.

Twisted Sister zanger Dee Snider meldde: “After a long battle with multiple sclerosis, my dear friend Clive Burr passed away in his sleep last night. 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.”

Dave Lombardo (Slayer): “Sadness overcame my morning when I heard this news. His style was inspiring and the albums he recorded with Iron Maiden are touchstones of my music education. He played with a particular energy which bought edge and excitement to the Iron Maiden classics. I never got to meet him, but I wish did. The best thing for me to do right now is listen to some classic Iron Maiden. Up the irons!”

David Ellefson (Megadeth): “I was so saddened to hear of Clive Burr passing away today. He was one of my all-time favorite metal drummers. I’m thankful for his music and contributions. My condolences…”

Slash: “Really sad news; RIP Clive Burr. Played on my fav Iron Maiden records.”

Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine): “RIP Clive Burr, original Iron Maiden drummer, who rocked those first 3 records HARD.”\

Dave McClain (Machine Head): “Very sad news. One of my favorite drummers and a huge influence on me as a young drummer. To me, he brought punk rock drumming into heavy metal. I can remember walking into the Hemisphere Arena in San Antonio to see Iron Maiden and seeing Clive’s white kit on stage. I about crapped my pants! I just stood there in awe looking at the actual kit that I had been staring at on the back of the ‘Killers’ album cover for the whole summer. I was a HAPPY kid! He will always be an inspiration to my drumming. One of my go-to guys when I’m trying to find different drum fills and beats, or I’ll ask myself, ‘What would Clive do?'”

Jeff Waters (Annihilator): “RIP, Clive. One of the best, most original and most underrated drummers ever. His style was unique… his performances on those first three Iron Maiden records influenced the drumming I’ve been writing for Annihilator all these years and he had me air-drumming my whole metal life… Only Lombardo was air-drummed more by me! Clive was no.2.  I met him once and was a class act. This is a loss of a true legend and innovator. Time to crank up ‘The Prisoner’.”

Nigel Glockler (Saxon): “I have just been informed that former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr has passed away. Clive’s drumming as an important part of those early Maiden albums and sound. My sincere sympathies to his family, Iron Maiden and fans everywhere. RIP, Clive.”

Paul Bostaph (Testament, Exodus, Forbidden): “I’m truly saddened to hear of Clive Burr’s passing. His drumming has had and still has a strong influence on my playing style. I bummed I never go to meet him and thank him in person for his musical gifts. God speed, Clive!”