Read the statement.
In an interview with Planet Rock backstage at the Download Festival this past weekend, Iron Maiden Steve Harris spoke about Bruce Dickinson's cancer and how it affected the band:
“It’s a fantastic feeling to be playing again because, obviously, last year we didn’t even know if we had a band, let alone a tour, so… brilliant. Obviously he’s doing well, he’s singing fantastically. In fact, I think he’s probably singing better than ever, even. He wanted to do more rehearsals, which is unprecedented. He never liked doing many rehearsals. So we did extra rehearsals, and when we got to the end of the rehearsals he was comfortable and starting to feel really good. So we all thought, ‘Wow, everything’s going to be alright in the end.’ Because, to be honest, even at the beginning of the rehearsals he just sounded like he had a cold. And he did have a cold, so it wasn’t anything too different for us, really.
Nicko says Bruce’s battle with cancer helped him stay sober.”
But I think in terms of confidence, in the end, he was feeling very strong. I think you never know 100% how it will be. Nobody knew. So the fact that he was doing so well after a month of rehearsals was absolutely fantastic. And, as I said, we're happy just to be on tour. Well, I am at least. And I think I can speak for everyone when I say that. I'm absolutely happy to be here.”.
