Kerrang magazine , Steve Harris spoke about the idea of retiring from the stage and the differences between touring with his band, British Lion , and Iron Maiden .
In March 2026, Harris will turn 70. This doesn't seem to be a problem for him. “I don't plan on retiring. However, we all know that it will come at some point, when one thing or another forces you to. I'll stay in shape, playing football, tennis and such, but you never know what's coming next. That's why you have to make the most of it while you can, enjoy every show for the sheer pleasure of it. I've been saying this for at least 10 years, but now it's truer than ever,” confessed the bassist.
“In a way, I’m afraid to stop, to slow down. But playing these shows brings back that old feeling. They’re very similar in many ways. It’s about being there fighting for the band, trying to get as many people as possible, proving to yourself every night that you’re exactly where you want to be,” he added.
The biggest differences between touring with Iron Maiden and British Lion.
Thanks to the success achieved with Iron Maiden, Steve Harris and the band play sold-out stadium shows all over the world. However, when he's touring with British Lion, the scenario changes somewhat.
“How sad is it to arrive at a music venue and be excited to find a washing machine? We have a portable one and a small dryer, which we haven’t tested yet. If it works, it will be a great thing! People think I’m crazy. Sometimes I think I am crazy. But I love to play. To play, period, especially in these smaller venues.”
“I believe I’m lucky because I can do both. I can play one night for maybe 100,000 people and another night for 400 or 500. We come from where we come from. In the end, it’s about going back to our roots and dealing with real people,” he concludes.
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