Almost a decade after battling throat cancer, Bruce Dickinson, the iconic frontman of Iron Maiden, has shared his candid thoughts about his potential departure from the band if he had lost his ability to sing.
In a recent interview with Rich Roll, the 66-year-old vocalist opened up about his mindset during and after his cancer treatment, revealing that he was ready to walk away from his role if his voice wasn’t the same. “I was fully prepared to accept that I might not be able to sing with Iron Maiden again,” Dickinson admitted. “I might still be able to vocalize, or sing in a different way, but if I couldn’t sing in the way that Iron Maiden requires, I was willing to help the band find a great replacement.”
For Dickinson, the priority wasn’t his career but his survival. “When I had throat cancer, the last thing on my mind was whether I’d ever sing again,” he explained. “The first thing on my mind was, ‘Am I going to get through this? Am I going to survive?’ Once I was through the worst of it, I knew we’d address the singing part.”
Bruce Dickinson’s journey with Iron Maiden began in 1981, and he quickly became one of the most recognizable voices in rock history, contributing to hits like “Run to the Hills” and “2 Minutes to Midnight.” He briefly left the band in 1993, due to internal conflicts, but returned in 1999, where the band’s success continued. Their most recent album, Senjutsu, was released in 2021.
Reflecting on Iron Maiden’s longevity, Dickinson credited the band’s resilience to both the evolving relationships between its members and their deep respect for the music. “One of the reasons we’ve survived so long is because we’ve grown into each other as people, and the music itself is always sacrosanct,” he said.
Dickinson’s willingness to step aside shows his commitment to the integrity of the band’s legacy and the importance of the music over individual pride. Despite his health challenges, Dickinson’s dedication to his bandmates and his craft remains as strong as ever.
Sadly, on October 21, the band lost their original lead vocalist, Paul Di’Anno, who passed away at 66 after battling severe health issues. His death marks a poignant moment for the band as they continue to honor their roots while looking to the future.
Bruce Dickinson, now fully recovered, remains a central figure in Iron Maiden, but his willingness to make difficult decisions for the sake of the band’s future speaks to his selflessness and enduring dedication to the music that has made him a rock legend.
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