Di’Anno made his live comeback at the Festa Della Birra Di Fabrica in Rome, Italy on August 27, his first gig since an early release from a UK prison in May.
Paul served just over two months of a nine month sentence for benefit fraud. In March, Di’Anno (real name Paul Andrews) plead guilty to eight counts of benefit fraud amounting to more than £45,000; he was expected to serve at least four-and-a-half months in prison before being eligible for parole.
Di’Anno was charged after investigators at the Department of Work and Pensions received an anonymous tip-off that he was still performing live, despite saying he was unable to work. They reviewed YouTube videos of him onstage as recently as 2006, despite him claiming incapacity benefit since 2002.
Upon his prison release, Di'Anno updated fans on his status, saying: "Back home again, and looking forward to 'Running Free Again', and seeing you all in a few weeks. Thanks for all the birthday wishes too. Also, relieved to say, I managed not to drop the soap! :)"
Up next for Di’Anno is a Brazilian tour, dubbed "Running Free Again,” which runs September 30 through October 15.
Iron Maiden Paul Di’Anno – Strange World
Festa Della Birra Di Fabrica - Rome, IT – August 27, 2011
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