There was an outpouring of emotion today from fans and bands when the IRON MAIDEN camp sadly announced that Clive Burr - the drummer on the band's life-changing first three albums (Iron Maiden, Killers and The Number Of The Beast) - had passed away after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Clive died peacefully in his sleep last night (March 12th) at home at the age of 56.

Numerous bands have expressed their thoughts and condolences below:

SLAYER's Dave Lombardo: "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!"

MEGADETH's David Ellefson; "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....

JUDAS PRIEST's Richie Faulkner:

"Not a prisoner, I'm a free man

And my blood is my own now

Don't care where the past was

I know where I'm going"

ANTHRAX' Charlie Benante: "CLIVE BURR…one of my favourite drummers of all time. A quick story. It was 1981 I was hanging with friends in the back of the Palladium in NYC. JUDAS PRIEST and Iron Maiden were playing. Two taxi's pull up and Maiden get out, Steve and Clive hang and talk for a bit. Clive at the time was an up and coming drummer that I thought played with a style all his own. The drumming on Killers inspired me to kick it up a notch and I did. I spoke with him and asked him for a pair of sticks. When he was done signing things he went into the venue and 10 minutes later came out with a pair of sticks for me...I still have those sticks. He was awesome, I was bummed when Maiden let him go. RIP Clive, You have influenced so many and to this day…nobody plays like you."

TWISTED SISTER's Dee Snider; "After a long battle with MS, 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."

ACCEPT: "R.I.P. Clive Burr. He will be truly missed....he left us with some amazing drumming. Loved his style and sound."

ANNIHILATOR's Jeff Waters: "RIP Clive. One of the best, most original and most underrated drummers ever. His style was unique... his performances on those first 3 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 #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."

SAXON's Nigel Glockler: "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 (SLAYER, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, FORBIDDEN): "I'm truly saddened to hear of Clive Bur'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!"

METAL CHURCH's Ronny Munroe: "The music world has lost another great in Clive Burr. Iron Maiden's early drummer. Who has finally lost his battle with MS after many years of fighting. I learned a lot of what I know on Drums from listening and watching Clive and the early Maiden years. So a big "thank you" to Clive Burr,may he rest in peace. My Condolences to his family and friends."

JEFF SCOTT SOTO: "RIP to the best and original drummer of Iron Maiden, Clive Burr...prayers to him and his family!"

SACRED REICH: "RIP Clive Burr. The early Iron Maiden records are still my favorite ones."

LOCK UP: "R.I.P. Clive Burr.........Such sad news!!!

3 INCHES OF BLOOD: "RIP Clive Burr, your contributions to metal will live forever."

SHADOWS FALL's Jason Bittner: "REST IN PEACE MR.CLIVE BURR!!!!! My first ever favorite Heavy Metal Drummer!! So many great beats, grooves, and killer hi hat work..........the man had some fast hands, and will be missed! Up the Irons!!"

EXUMER: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Clive Burr's family and friends today... We are sad for your loss. There are nothing but happy memories of this fantastic and charismatic drummer in our camp and these memories will live on, since Clive played on Maiden's most memorable albums... we miss you Clive."

WHITE WIZZARD: "We are very sad to hear of Clive Burr's passing away. He was a huge influence on me as a player when I was growing up. Such an amazing drummer. He obviously, from what I have seen and heard, was an amazing person and seemed like a rare humble soul in the ego mania world of rock and roll. It makes me thankful to have my health and humbled to be able to play my instrument and do what I love. No matter how hard things get it is important to remember every day you can make music or do whatever it is you love without physical limitations, it is a blessing. It must have been so hard to have to leave Maiden when he did, and he always showed no bitterness. That shows a lot of character.....all the best Clive Burr, may you hold your sticks high in the heavens wherever your soul wanders and drum again.........drinking MANY ESB's this week in your memory."

CHAINFIST's Michael Kopietz: "As many off you allready know, yesterday the former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr died at the age of 56. So, why am I writing this? Well... Maybe some of you know this, but my dad (Peter Kopietz) also past away way to early, it was in 89' at the age of 53. I remember how Iron Maiden got me through a time of great sorrow for a 14 year old boy, remember how the first record I ever recorded (Dimensions by Frozen Sun) was dedicated to him and a great way to put the feelings out in my music, forever... So peeps, lets "Like" this one for the people who died or just left us way to early. Take care of yourselfs and RIP all of you good people who also lost a friends, family member or a drummer. ALL HAIL CLIVE BURR."

MACHINE HEAD's Dave McClain: "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?"

NIGHTRAGE: "R.I.P Clive Burr U will always be remembered for your awesome drumming on the 3 first Maiden classics, Nightrage will not even exist without the Great Iron Maiden, this life sucks, when only the good die young."

BEHOLDER: "Beholder would like to send out our deepest condolences and sincere regards to Clive Burr's family and friends."

We were fortune enough to be invited to do a benefit show for Clive some years back, and as hardened Maiden fans we were absolutely honored. In our short time with him on the night Clive was a gracious and approachable guy and will forever be remembered as being a major part of one of England's finest exports."

SVÖLK: "Thank you so much for everything you gave us, Clive Burr. You will be remembered. Rest in Peace."

IRON KNIGHTS: "RIP Clive Burr. Your drums will always live on."

WARBRINGER: "Thankfully we'll always have the the first 3 Iron Maiden albums to listen (at extremely loud volumes), head bang and air-drum to in his honor.

Up the Irons!"

ATTICA RAGE: "Gutted to hear about the passing of former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr. I think every metal drummer in the world has played the Run To The Hills intro at least once! RIP Clive."

RAZORMAZE: "R.I.P. Clive Burr. You are already missed."

DYNAZTY: "Rest in peace Clive Burr and thank you for three epic Maiden albums!"

PARAGON: "R.I.P. Clive Burr! Iron Maiden and especially their first three albums are a big influence for PARAGON. Our drummer Chris is big fan of Clive and his drumming and even plays in Iron Maiden Tribute band…"

ACARO: "Multiple Sclerosis took Clive Burr from us. He was the drummer for the biggest heavy metal band of all times. Rest in peace brother. Up The Irons!!!"

TYRANTS BLOOD: "Terrible news today, another great legend has passed away. Where would we be without his influential rhythm today? Without Killers and Iron Maiden, Number Of The Beast Progression would not be as far I say with confidence. All hail Clive Burr!"

PAGAN'S MIND: "A sad loss for the whole rock/metal world. Thanks for inspiring everyone! Rest in Peace, Clive Burr."

MONUMENT: "R.I.P. Clive Burr. You'll be missed but never forgotten…"

THE PARAMEDIC: "Everyone please pay your respect a legend passed away today"

MARTYR: "A inspiration for MARTYR back in the 80's : Early Maiden with Clive Burr. RIP CLive….."

CORMORANT: "RIP Clive Burr, creator of tasty beats on three of the greatest albums in heavy metal history."

MAELSTROM: "Rest in Peace Mr Clive Burr. Drummer for some of the greatest albums of all time. Period."

MIDNITE HELLION: "RIP to Mr. Clive Burr, very saddened to hear of this loss to the Metal community."

REIGN OF FURY: "R.I.P Clive Burr a massive influence on our music"