FRIENDS & RELATIONS

BRUCE DICKINSON voice from 1982 to 1993 solo career since 1990

In the last hard days of 1981, Bruce Dickinson alias Bruce Bruce was the best thing that could be bestowed upon . He could reach for notes that Paul Di'Anno could never even dream of (not that it mattered to him), he could write great lyrics and was a theatrical showman of epic proportions. The only problem was that the sheer presence of Bruce ended up creating a sort of "power fight" in the band. He was too great to stay in a humble singer role, while Steve was the spirit of the band itself. With some luck, this situation brought the band to its best achievement, since the two "lords" were trying to outperform their rival. In this way, the golden era pleased the fans with the best productions they could dream of. Since nothing lasts forever, when the golden era ended and the band went back to its (clumsy) roots, Bruce started thinking about changes, and finally ended up leaving the band after the double live A Real Live One/A Real Dead One. Sorry if I seem harsh with one of the most important metal singers ever, but his vocals dropped tragically on these two records, and I'm happy to say that he found his qualities again with his solo career. Now and Bruce's careers are two different stories. As he said: "Heavy metal will not lose a band; it will gain two bands, new and better". Lucky us, he was right...

ADRIAN SMITH guitar from 1981 to 1990 solo career since 1989

H was always the quiet boy for me. You could see him having fun, sure, and play with all his soul, but the story was mainly him and his guitar. Yes, I totally worship him as a great guitarist. I doubt there's anyone not missing him and hi solos. BUT (capital observation) we must accept he didn't want to play the old tunes any longer, and he just didn't know what he wanted to do; so he decided to quit the band opening the doors for Janick, and we know where the story went. Anyway, in many ways H embodied 's golden age. He was there a little before the start and went out before things started to go bad. His style expanded over the band's music at the peak of the golden age, in 1986 and 1988, and I think he ended up influencing everyone else. Many people think that Bruce Dickinson always tried to change the sound to somehting more commercial; saying that I think this is wrong (how can you call Seventh Son an easy listening?), I must also say that IMO the change of sound was mainly due to our good Adrian. I don't think he wanted to play commercial in , or ASaP would have never existed and Hooks In You wouldn't have been his legacy to the new line-up. When I listen to what Adrian played in his solo career, I think he just wants to have fun now, and doesn't like the "big thing" anymore. He still loves as in the old days, and you can see it from his appearence at Donington '92.

PAUL DI'ANNO voice from 1978 to 1981 solo career since 1982

I must admit I'm not much in love with Paul's voice. Not that he didn't do a good job (and Maiden Japan is great, really great), but I think that with him the band could have never reached for those great epic atmosphere they explored with Bruce. Also, his voice with time was going out really fast (if you listen to the Soundhouse Tapes you'll be ashamed to discover that Iron Maiden was produced and sang so badly). So? So goodbye, and thank you for all the fish, like someone would have said. Really, I think there would have been no place and no sense for Paul in the post-Killers , so the best thing have happened. The best for everyone. Nice lyrics, though...

CLIVE BURR drums from 1979 to 1982 DENNIS STRATTON guitar in 1980

Don't take it bad, I'm not saying that Clive was less important than other people, it's just that I'm not so good at judging drummers (in my bands, the drums followed my guitar, not the other way around...). I'd just like to say that Clive sounded very, very heavy and had a nice round "boing" in his hits, while Nicko uses more different sounds but not always with the same simple'n'though effect on the listener. Anyway, Clive is fully part of the myth, and paved the way for the golden age; Nicko was a good change, but not necessarily an improvement. Different situation with Dennis Stratton. I think he didn't add much to the band, and was far outclassed by Dave's guitar. If you think that he was then replaced with H, there's no sense in regretting his departure for Lionheart.

DEREK RIGGS all covers from 1980 to 1990 albums covers in 1993, 1996 singles covers in 1993, 1996, 1998 video covers from 1980 to 1998 MARTIN BIRCH production from 1981 to 1992 MICHAEL KENNEY keyboards from 1990 (off.) to 1995 keyboards probably since 1986 (unoff.)

Derek Riggs cannot be forgotten in an site; many times he has been the reason people have tried the band and liked it. I did, and it was Piece Of Mind. Eddie was created by the band but its final form appeared by chance in one of Derek's ideas for the first cover, so I think he deserves a big part of the credit. Anyway, I think he created some of the best heavy metal covers ever, and this is all: he created a whole coherent world with stories and characters where he could make Eddie live, and this is still a useful legacy for the latest covers even when they're done by other artists. Martin Birch is another "sixth member" of the band. His production has been invaluable in bringing to the top. He started what would bring to the golden era and directed the efforts of the band where they just "had" to go themselves. There will never be enough words to say what Martin has accomplished with and for , let just his works speak by themselves. Michael Kenney's keyboards have been invaluable for years, and I think he would better play still, since Steve hasn't the right touch and doesn't know how to tweak the sound. Why Michael has never been admitted in the group I really can't understand, since he showed many times to deserve full membership, but traditions are traditions, and Steve Harris is definitely traditional, to the point of being almost prisoner of what he has created. Now our friend is again in the standard stage crew, while Steve is probably thinking about playing everything in the world. Well, it just cannot be always fair, can it?