Bruce Dickinson has revealed what he believes is Iron Maiden’s most underrated song, during a stop in Tampa, Florida on his 2022 USA and Canada spoken-word tour. Taking to the stage at the historic Tampa Theatre on Thursday night (20th January), the polymath regaled the crowd with tales from his life in and away from fronting one of the biggest bands in metal.
The tour follows on from similar events in the U.K. and Ireland in 2018 and 2019, in support of Dickinson’s highly successful ‘What Does This Button Do?’ autobiography.
Taking to the stage to a huge round of applause, the singer wasted no time in delving straight into his life story; from his unconventional upbringing to his unlikely, and oftentimes hilarious public school years.
As energetic as an overexcited Jack Russell, and just as lively, Bruce’s delivery was on point, as he weaved his way through his university years and first forays into music.
Recalling his time with NWOBHM contenders Samson – whom he fronted from 1979 – 1981 - he quipped; “we made every mistake it’s possible to make in the music industry, in a concentrated time”.
Going on to talk about key events in his career with Iron Maiden including their triumphant headline slot at ‘Rock in Rio’ in 1985, he also touched on his lack of contribution to the creation of the ‘Somewhere in Time’ album. Recalling the writing sessions for the 1986 set, he admitted; “I was in a weird place. I was ready for the funny farm”.
It was during the fan-submitted question and answer section that the Ed Force One pilot was asked what he thought was Iron Maiden’s most underrated track. “I’m a really big fan of ‘Total Eclipse”, he said, without hesitation, referring to the b side to his debut single with the band – 1982’s ‘Run to the Hills’.
Elaborating, he explained that the track ‘Gangland’ was originally slated to appear on the flip side, however the band had a change of heart; “That sound’s great! This is so good that we can’t do it as the b side”, he explained.
Expanding on ‘Gangland’, which is the penultimate track on the ‘The Number of the Beast’ album, Bruce divulged; “Gangland went on the album, and we actually forgot to mix the guitar solos. There’s a bit in there [at the 2m24s mark], and there’s no guitar solo. To this day, I think we forgot!”
Praising the Tampa Theatre as a “wonderful place”, and an “amazing theatre”, Bruce took his bows on what had been an entertaining journey through his life.
Bruce Dickinson’s USA and Canada 2022 tour continues until March. For a full list of dates, click here.
Taking to the stage to a huge round of applause, the singer wasted no time in delving straight into his life story; from his unconventional upbringing to his unlikely, and oftentimes hilarious public school years.
As energetic as an overexcited Jack Russell, and just as lively, Bruce’s delivery was on point, as he weaved his way through his university years and first forays into music.
Recalling his time with NWOBHM contenders Samson – whom he fronted from 1979 – 1981 - he quipped; “we made every mistake it’s possible to make in the music industry, in a concentrated time”.
Going on to talk about key events in his career with Iron Maiden including their triumphant headline slot at ‘Rock in Rio’ in 1985, he also touched on his lack of contribution to the creation of the ‘Somewhere in Time’ album. Recalling the writing sessions for the 1986 set, he admitted; “I was in a weird place. I was ready for the funny farm”.
It was during the fan-submitted question and answer section that the Ed Force One pilot was asked what he thought was Iron Maiden’s most underrated track. “I’m a really big fan of ‘Total Eclipse”, he said, without hesitation, referring to the b side to his debut single with the band – 1982’s ‘Run to the Hills’.
Elaborating, he explained that the track ‘Gangland’ was originally slated to appear on the flip side, however the band had a change of heart; “That sound’s great! This is so good that we can’t do it as the b side”, he explained.
Expanding on ‘Gangland’, which is the penultimate track on the ‘The Number of the Beast’ album, Bruce divulged; “Gangland went on the album, and we actually forgot to mix the guitar solos. There’s a bit in there [at the 2m24s mark], and there’s no guitar solo. To this day, I think we forgot!”
Praising the Tampa Theatre as a “wonderful place”, and an “amazing theatre”, Bruce took his bows on what had been an entertaining journey through his life.
Bruce Dickinson’s USA and Canada 2022 tour continues until March. For a full list of dates, click here.
