The legendary Bruce Dickinson turns 66: Check 10 of the best Iron Maiden songs
With his wide-ranging operatic vocal style and energetic stage presence, the now Rock legend wrote his name in the history of Rock and Heavy Metal
The legendary Bruce Dickinson turns 66: Check 10 of the best Iron Maiden songs
With his wide-ranging operatic vocal style and energetic stage presence, Bruce Dickinson wrote his name in the history of Rock and Heavy Metal. The multi-talented British artist, singer, songwriter, musician, author and also airline pilot, entrepreneur and broadcaster, became one of the biggest vocal assets in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal when during the late 1970s he joined Samson as the lead singer using the name Bruce Bruce. He recorded two albums with the band but quit in 1981 to join the increasingly successful and growing Heavy Metal band Iron Maiden. By then, the band was already established as one of the most important in the Heavy Metal scene with their first two albums “Iron Maiden” and “Killers”. After firing their original lead singer Paul Di’Anno due to internal feud, Dickinson was chosen as the new lead singer. The role gave him quickly a wider and bigger visibility and audience than Samson.
Bruce Dickinson was born Paul Bruce Dickinson on August 7, 1958, in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, England. He grew up in Sheffield and attended Oundle School, a boarding school in Northamptonshire, where his early interests in music and history began to take shape. Dickinson’s initial foray into music was influenced by his love for bands like Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, and he began singing in small pub bands while still in school.
Dickinson’s professional music career started in earnest in the late 1970s with the band Samson, where he performed under the stage name “Bruce Bruce.” He gained a reputation for his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. Samson achieved moderate success, releasing albums such as “Survivors” (1979) and “Head On” (1980). However, it was his next move that would catapult Dickinson to international fame.
In 1981, Dickinson joined Iron Maiden, replacing the band’s original singer, Paul Di’Anno. His debut with the band was on their third album, “The Number of the Beast” (1982), which became a landmark release in heavy metal history. The album, featuring hits like “Run to the Hills” and the title track, showcased Dickinson’s operatic vocal range and helped establish Iron Maiden as one of the leading bands in the genre.
Over the next decade, Dickinson and Iron Maiden released a string of successful albums, including “Piece of Mind” (1983), “Powerslave” (1984), and “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” (1988). His energetic performances and distinctive voice were central to the band’s identity, making him one of the most recognizable figures in heavy metal.
In 1993, Dickinson left Iron Maiden to pursue a solo career which allowed him to explore different musical styles. Albums like “Tattooed Millionaire” (1990), “Balls to Picasso” (1994), and “Accident of Birth” (1997) received critical acclaim, with the latter marking a return to a heavier sound reminiscent of his work with Iron Maiden.
Dickinson rejoined Iron Maiden in 1999, reuniting with the band for the album “Brave New World” (2000). The reunion revitalized the band, and they enjoyed renewed success with subsequent albums such as “Dance of Death” (2003), “A Matter of Life and Death” (2006), and “The Book of Souls” (2015). Dickinson’s return was embraced by fans and critics alike, reaffirming his status as one of the greatest heavy metal vocalists.
Beyond music, Bruce Dickinson is a man of many talents and interests. He is a licensed commercial pilot and has flown for Astraeus Airlines, often piloting Iron Maiden’s tour plane, Ed Force One. He also established Cardiff Aviation, an aircraft maintenance and training company.
Dickinson is a published author, having written the memoir “What Does This Button Do?” (2017), which details his life and career. Additionally, he has penned novels and has a keen interest in fencing, even competing at a high level in the sport.
In 2015, Dickinson was diagnosed with throat cancer. After undergoing treatment, he was declared cancer-free later that year. His battle with the illness and subsequent recovery further endeared him to fans.
A multi-talented man who’s now a Rock legend, Bruce Dickinson turns 66 today. Here’s 10 essential Iron Maiden songs featuring Bruce Dickinson on vocals
10 – “Afraid To Shoot Strangers”, 1992
9 – “Be Quick Or Be Dead”, 1992
8 – “Wasted Years”, 1986
7 – “2 Minutes To Midnight”, 1984
6 – “Can I Play With Madness”, 1988
5 – “Run To The Hills”, 1982
4 – “The Trooper”, 1983
3 – “The Number Of The Beast”, 1982
2 – “Fear Of The Dark”, 1992
1 – “Hallowed Be Thy Name”, 1982
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