Clive Burr

• Name — Clive Burr • Birth Name — Clive Ronald Burr • Born — 8 March 1956 • Birthplace — East Ham, Essex, England • Died — 12 March 2013 • Place of death — London, England • Occupation — Musician • Genre — Heavy metal, hard rock • Years Active — 1977–2013 • Past Member Of — Iron Maiden, Samson, Stratus, Alcatrazz, Praying Mantis, Gogmagog, Trust, Elixir, Desperado

Previously a member of Samson, Burr joined Iron Maiden in 1979. Auditioning and joining upon the recommendation of 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, the last of which was the Maiden debut of Bruce Dickinson. Burr was fired from the band in 1982 during The Beast on the Road tour. He was replaced by the band's now retired drummer, Nicko McBrain. Burr co-wrote one song on The Number of the Beast, "Gangland", and another song, "Total Eclipse", that was cut from the album and showed up as the B-side of the "Run to the Hills" single, and later on the Number of the Beast remastered CD re-release, and again on the 2022 40th Anniversary record, where it replaced Gangland. Burr also appeared on "The Number of the Beast", "Run to the Hills" and "Women in Uniform" (a cover of the Australian band Skyhooks). In an interview with Classic Rock in February 2011, Burr candidly discussed his split from Maiden. Describing much of what has been written about the split as "hogwash", Burr indicated that he was ousted from the band after taking a break to mourn the recent death of his father, rebutting claims that his departure was due to overindulgence. Bruce Dickinson's 2017 autobiography suggests Burr was ousted due to personality conflicts with Steve Harris which led to the two arguing and acting out during performances. After Iron Maiden, Burr briefly played in the French group Trust, thus switching places with McBrain, and briefly with the American band Alcatrazz. 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, ex Whitesnake bassist Neil Murray and ex Def Leppard guitarist Pete Willis. He also had a band known as Clive Burr's Escape (later known as Stratus), featuring former Praying Mantis members and future Uriah Heep vocalist Bernie Shaw, 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 performed with British bands Elixir and Praying Mantis in the 1990s and appears on the Praying Mantis 1996 live album "Captured Alive in Tokyo City", but did not become a full member of either. Burr's signature white drum kit was donated to the Hard Rock Cafe in London in 2005.

Burr's niece, Rayne Leat, is a professional wrestler signed to WWE under the ring name Lizzy Rain. Leat wrestles with a metalhead gimmick under the moniker "The Maiden of Metal", in reference to Burr and Iron Maiden. According to Leat, she was not close with Burr as he was battling multiple sclerosis by the time she got to know him. Leat also revealed that the jacket she wears to the ring belonged to Burr.

Burr was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the late 1990s, the treatment of which left him deeply in debt. Iron Maiden staged a series of charity concerts and were involved in the founding of the Clive Burr MS Trust Fund. Burr used a wheelchair due to his condition. 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 MS programs around the world through the staging of rock events. Burr attended many of these events. His partner, Mimi, was also diagnosed with MS. Burr died in his sleep on 12 March 2013 in London due to complications related to MS. In a statement released on the band's website, Iron Maiden bass player Steve Harris stated "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." Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson stated "Even during the darkest days of his M.S., Clive never lost his sense of humour or irreverence." A funeral service was held for Burr on 25 March 2013 at the City of London Crematorium.