Legendary Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson was a recent guest on Talk Is Jericho, and the frontman talked about a variety of topics including his recent solo album, tour, singing the U.S. National Anthem and much more. Chris Jericho also asked Dickinson about the Iron Maiden material that came after his initial departure from the group in the early ‘90s. Jericho has previously shared that he’s a big fan of the band’s 1995 album “The X Factor” which was fronted by Blaze Bayley.
Jericho specifically asked if Dickinson paid attention to Maiden’s releases with Bayley. “No. It’s not that I didn’t have any interest in listening, I was just too busy doing my own stuff,” Dickinson said. “So, it was kind of peripheral awareness, but in a way I was just, like, ‘This is none of my business. I’m not in the band anymore.’ And I wished Blaze well, ’cause when he joined the band, I thought, ‘Wow.’ ‘Cause his voice is very different to mine. I loved what he was doing in Wolfsbane. And I thought, ‘Well, this is … I hope it works out the right way.’ And sadly it didn’t. But I love Blaze. I think he’s a great character. There’s not a malicious bone in his body. He’s a great guy.”
Dickinson has performed Blaze-fronted material in Maiden including “Sign of The Cross” and “The Clansman.” Jericho asked Dickinson if it was his idea or that of bassist Steve Harris to include those songs in the set. “I actually can’t remember,” Dickinson said. “But when I heard it, I was just, like, ‘Well, I think I could put some blood on the walls with that.’ To be honest with you, not all of the songs that they did with Blaze, I think, would necessarily suit my voice. Because some of the songs they wrote for Blaze are not really in my range — they’re a little bit low. Whilst Blaze would sing a particular tune with a lot of power, ’cause it was in his range, I would frankly struggle to make that tune sound as effective as Blaze, ’cause it’s a little bit below where all the horsepower kicks in with my voice.”
Watch the full Dickinson appearance on Talk Is Jericho below.
