Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson famously left the legendary heavy metal band in 1992 to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by former Wolfsbane singer Blaze Bayley, who recorded two albums with the group, 1995’s “The X Factor” and 1998”s “Virtual XI,” to mixed reactions from fans. Bayley’s natural baritone voice is in stark contrast to Dickinson’s higher range which proved to be a polarizing topic among Maiden fans.
“I really like Blaze,” Dickinson told the “Do You Know Jack?” radio show. “I like him just as a human being. He’s a lovely guy. I remember going to the management offices and there was a guy, he doesn’t work for management anymore, but he was telling me how great this whole thing was and how brilliant it was going to be. I said, ‘Look, he’s got this great gig. Of course, he’s going to take the job. He’s been offered the job. Of course, he’s going to take it.’ I said, ‘Has anybody given any thought to where he’s going to go with the old stuff? Has anyone given any thought to how he is going to manage it? Not just singing, but how are you going to deal with the fan reaction?’ Because I was surprised it was Blaze. I was delighted for Blaze, but there was a whole bunch of other really good singers out there. I thought ‘Wow, they could have picked somebody with a voice that could do what my voice did.’ But they picked Blaze. Obviously, they picked somebody different, but that came with its own set of challenges. I just wondered whether anybody in the management was really giving anybody any serious words of truth on how hard this could be.”
Recently, Dickinson spoke to the Daily Star and said that he wants the band to replace him in the future if he is unable to sing anymore. “If tomorrow I don’t feel able to sing more than four songs a night, I’d like the guys to continue and I should be able to choose my replacement,” he said. “I would stick my head in from time to time and the other singer would do the rest. When you look at Keith Richards, who suffers from arthritis, he’s not on top form every night but he’s supported by other guitarists,” he continued. “It’s The Rolling Stones. I don’t think it upsets anyone. In any case, everything I’ve said isn’t going to happen.”
Dickinson also dissed the idea of an Iron Maiden hologram show in the future. “That’s hell on earth,” he said. “I really don’t understand the point of it.” Iron Maiden is currently on the road for it’s “Legacy Of The Beast” world tour. The band still frequently performs two songs from the Blaze Bayley era in the set, “Sign of the Cross” and “The Clansman.”
- Sum 41 Frontman Reveals Why Band Is Ending - April 27, 2024
- Nikki Sixx Elaborates On Mick Mars Leaving Motley Crue - April 27, 2024
- Ozzy Argues Case For Legendary Band To Enter Rock Hall - April 26, 2024
