Adrian Smith has opened up to eonmusic about his career, confirming that he has a new solo project on the way, and that he was in line for a spot in Def Leppard after the passing of guitarist Steve Clarke in 1991, in an exclusive interview.
Photo: Darren McVeigh MetalPlanetMusic.
Smith made the revelations during an in depth chat with the site about his book 'Monsters of River & Rock', and the news that he was 'In contention' for Def Leppard grabbed headlines around the world. And it's hardly surprising, for with bleached blonde hair, stonewashed denims, and a proven track record, the guitarist would have been a perfect shoe in at the time to fill the vacant six-string slot, in a paring that could have proven more electrifying than danger high voltage online slots.
During the extended interview, Iron Maiden's melodically-leaning player also reminisced fondly about early recording sessions with the recently departed Martin Birch, as well as recalling the session that led to recording Iron Maiden's epic 'Stranger in a Strange Land'.
Adrian further talked about his guitar playing technique, saying; "my playing, I like to think, I try and feel stuff, and I like the space to play in it. I mean, I try to construct solos with a beginning and end, a little mad flurry, a melodic bit; that’s just the way I kind of think. I hear a solo in my head and then I work out how to play it, usually".
Going on to chat about an unnamed forthcoming solo project, the guitarist said; "I’m very excited about it, but I can’t say. I’m doing a lot of singing, but the person I’m working with, we’re sort of splitting the vocals. But that’ll be coming. I’m very excited about it, but I’m sworn to secrecy at the moment".
Finally, long-rumored to have been in line for the job that eventually went to Vivian Campbell, Smith confirmed that he had been in contention for Def Leppard following the death of Steve Clarke in 1991. When asked if that really was the case, a tight-lipped Adrian replied; "Well, emmm… [long pause] I was, yeah. Yeah I was. I’m not sure… I want to write more books; that might be in my next one! [laughing] There’s whole story about that, there’s a whole story about that".
Read the whole interview at eonmusic, here.
During the extended interview, Iron Maiden's melodically-leaning player also reminisced fondly about early recording sessions with the recently departed Martin Birch, as well as recalling the session that led to recording Iron Maiden's epic 'Stranger in a Strange Land'.
Adrian further talked about his guitar playing technique, saying; "my playing, I like to think, I try and feel stuff, and I like the space to play in it. I mean, I try to construct solos with a beginning and end, a little mad flurry, a melodic bit; that’s just the way I kind of think. I hear a solo in my head and then I work out how to play it, usually".
Going on to chat about an unnamed forthcoming solo project, the guitarist said; "I’m very excited about it, but I can’t say. I’m doing a lot of singing, but the person I’m working with, we’re sort of splitting the vocals. But that’ll be coming. I’m very excited about it, but I’m sworn to secrecy at the moment".
Finally, long-rumored to have been in line for the job that eventually went to Vivian Campbell, Smith confirmed that he had been in contention for Def Leppard following the death of Steve Clarke in 1991. When asked if that really was the case, a tight-lipped Adrian replied; "Well, emmm… [long pause] I was, yeah. Yeah I was. I’m not sure… I want to write more books; that might be in my next one! [laughing] There’s whole story about that, there’s a whole story about that".
Read the whole interview at eonmusic, here.
