Former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr passes away on the 12th at the age of 56. Previously having played for Samson, Burr joined Iron Maiden in 1979 through then-Iron Maiden guitarist Dennis Stratton. Burr played on their first three records: Iron Maiden, Killers and their breakthrough release The Number of the Beast. He left the band in 1982 due to Iron Maiden’s tour schedule and personal problems and was replaced by the band’s current drummer, Nicko McBrain.

After leaving Iron Maiden, Burr briefly played in the French group Trust, thus switching places with McBrain, and briefly with the American bandAlcatrazz. Burr was featured in the short-lived NWOBHM supergroup Gogmagog which also included ex-Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di’Anno and future Maiden guitarist Janick Gers. He also had a band known as Clive Burr’s Escape (later known as Stratus), featuring former Praying Mantis members, which disbanded after releasing one album. Burr then joined Dee Snider in his post-Twisted Sister outfit Desperado, which was never fully realized due to a falling out with the band’s record company.

Burr was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the treatment of which left him deeply in debt, and used a wheelchair because of his condition.. Iron Maiden staged a series of charity concerts and were involved in the founding of the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund. He was also the patron of Clive Aid, a charity formed in 2004. Clive Aid has continued to raise awareness and funds for various cancer and multiple sclerosis programs around the world through the staging of rock events.Burr attended many of these events.

Burr died in his sleep on 12 March 2013. He has just turned 56 a few days ago.