Record Collector magazine , Bruce Dickinson , vocalist of Iron Maiden , revealed that his ambition to lead the band arose from the first time he saw them in action, in 1979. At the time, he was still the vocalist for Samson , who shared the stage with Maiden as the opening act.
“When Iron Maiden took the stage, the place was already packed,” Dickinson recalls. “I’d heard of them and was impressed. I thought, ‘My God, I’d love to front that band.’”
Dickinson acknowledges that the lead singer at the time, Paul Di'Anno , was talented, but believes his voice lacked the versatility needed for Iron Maiden's style. "He was good, but he didn't have much flexibility in his voice," he states. "I thought his voice had reached as far as it could."
His arrival in Iron Maiden
After leaving Samson in 1981, Dickinson joined Iron Maiden, replacing Di'Anno. His time with the band was marked by highs and lows, including a departure in 1993 and a return six years later.
In 2024, Dickinson stated that if he could go back in time, he would still have left Iron Maiden, but with a more concrete plan for the future. "I would have done better," he said. "I would have had a better plan."
Despite the ups and downs, Dickinson's passion for Iron Maiden remains intact. His initial ambition to front the band came true, and he became one of the most respected vocalists in heavy metal.
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