TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:

"After a long battle with multiple sclerosis, my dear friend Clive Burr [former IRON MAIDEN drummer] 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."

DESPERADO's debut album was recorded in 1990 and is regarded by many as one of the high points of '80s rock/metal. Although it was originally never released because of the record company changing its mind about the project due to the explosion of "grunge" at the time, "Desperado" remains a classic of its genre and was re-released on CD in 2009.

DESPERADO's lineup was rounded out by guitarist Bernie Tormé (GILLAN, ATOMIC ROOSTER, OZZY OSBOURNE) and bassist Marc Russell.

Clive joined MAIDEN in 1979 and performed on the first three albums — "Iron Maiden" (1980), "Killers" (1981) and "The Number Of The Beast" (1982). Prior to that, he was a member of SAMSON, the band Bruce Dickinson fronted before he, too, joined MAIDEN.