History an Evening with Bruce Dickinson

HISTORY AN EVENING WITH BRUCE DICKINSON

October 25th, 2019 O2 Universum, Prague AN EVENING WITH BRUCE DICKINSON O2 Universum, PraGUE, October 25th, 2019 PROMOTER: LIVE NATION CZ

Bruce Dickinson: front man of the legendary IRON attention-grabbing scandals. Neither does he MAIDEN – one of the most successful bands in the need to create artificial marketing strategies world, but also a successful businessman, brewery to attract public attention. His personality has owner, airline pilot, swordsman, screenwriter, actor, versatile potential, and if you follow his career, broadcaster, motivational speaker and writer. you will be fascinated by how perfectly he can use that versatility in every way. Bruce Dickinson‘s autobiography “What Does This Button Do” was published in 2017. It has He may irritate many people with his been translated into several world languages inaccessibility because they would like to get and has become the catalyst for creating an closer to him. And, even though I am one of unconventional solo presentation of one of the those who would like to have an interview with most remarkable personalities today, not only on him at least once in my lifetime, I absolutely the music scene, but also in so many other areas. respect and admire his stand, even though my Unfortunately, this publication has not yet been wish may never be realized. With such huge translated into the Czech language. Many fans popularity, it is not realistic for him to meet hoped that they would be able to buy it during everyone who is dreaming about it. the presentation in Prague. However, the English original was not available either. That was the only But meeting him is not absolutely impossible for shortcoming of the event in the final analysis. The the fans. For example, as part of the An Evening author‘s personal performance of the biographical with Bruce project, autograph sessions were held memoir literally encourages one to think deeply in some cities. Some of the lucky people even about his personality, creativity and contribution. had the opportunity of taking a flight on board Ed Force One, where Bruce was captain and pilot. Bruce Dickinson is not one of the easily reachable personalities, nor one who needs I have to admit that I sympathize a lot with the to be made visible in any cheap way or with strategy of not degrading oneself and maintaining

2 Prague, October 25th, 2019 the designated level of contact. Sometimes it is this inspiring personality. There are only a few sad to look at the personalities that we have seen hundred fans sitting in the audience and the for many years on stage in sold-out arenas, who atmosphere is, of course, much more intimate gradually appear in every pub, often performing than the colossal IRON MAIDEN shows. His in undignified conditions. At that moment, the powerful energy and stunning speech can drag status of the legend largely disappears and some, you into the story so much that, for a while unfortunately, become their own caricature even during the show, you can feel that you are part of during their career. Those who really want to his story. Nowadays, I often hear that people are keep the status of a legend must not abandon not capable of retaining attention to reading, but certain principles. It is possible to keep one‘s more especially to podcasts or longer talk shows. reputation even if one decides to organize more The main reasons are, in my opinion, time, stress intimate club tours or self-presentations. Bruce and lack of interest, or the desire to pick and Dickinson is, in my eyes, an icon who proves that choose. Bruce Dickinson‘s performance lasted in it is possible to maintain the level of imaginary total two hours and forty-five minutes and was artistic olympian. He did not compromise his divided into two parts with one fifteen-minute vision even during his solo period, when he break. In the first part, Bruce Dickinson tells separated from IRON MAIDEN for several years stories that are chosen from his autobiography, and did not sell in the largest arenas. but enriched by his unique charm, detached view, multi-faceted talent, and typical English An Evening with Bruce Dickinson is the perfect humor, presented with an appropriate dose of opportunity for the fans to learn more about irony. He has a great ability to turn even more

3 Prague, October 25th, 2019 serious topics like cancer or war into humorous clearly attributed to: an excellent storyteller, episodes. As a brewery owner, he did not hide entertainer and comedian. his passion for good Czech beer, and I do not know whether it was one of his jokes or whether I can hardly transform the immediacy and he is actually preparing an unusual edition of fantastic atmosphere of an evening with Bruce mango and chocolate beer he presented to us. into words. It is something best experienced The stories are in pictorial form accompanied firsthand. However, I will include at least a few by photographs projected on the screen. In the stories that Bruce Dickinson shared with us during second part, Bruce answers selected questions the evening, as well as his autobiography. from the audience. “Everything starts somewhere ...“ With these According to the reactions from the audience, words, Bruce Dickinson starts the story, and it certainly did not appear that anyone was there appears his photograph on the screen at bored and there was no lack of attention worth the age of 15–16. It was not possible to take a mentioning. The laughter from the audience selfie while there was no Photoshop, and Bruce could be heard almost continuously throughout asks what people actually did before Photoshop the performance. Bruce does not choose the was created. Given today‘s technology and the classic speech of his colorful life story as a form fact that it is possible to create various things in of his own presentation. This is a full-fledged Photoshop directly from the mobile phone, he satirical one-man show, during which he reveals could if he wanted, still look like a fish thanks to his other talents. The list of his roles can be Photoshop. But he wished to have a mustache.

4 Because he couldn‘t have it, he used a blue crayon The maximum age of children at the school was and imagined what it would have been like to have five years, which now seems unimaginable. Fights a mustache one day. As a result, he did something were a common thing there, but Bruce was not terrible to his self image and reprogrammed part the fighting type. He wasn‘t ready to fight, he of his brain because, as he told us, everything we couldn‘t fight. It was his grandfather who taught do when we are 15–16 years old has been with him how to fight. Grandpa advised him to beat up us for the rest of our lives, and we can‘t get rid of anyone who hurt him somehow, but not everyone it. As life goes by, a demon called “blue crayon“ he meets. These are things for grownups, not for appears from time to time. When he actually let a kids, he assumes. mustache grow, people asked him what made him do it, and his answer was obvious: Photoshop. One of the key people in Bruce‘s childhood was his godfather and uncle, John. He wasn‘t his Bruce Dickinson was born in Worksop, England biological uncle, but his grandfather‘s best mate. which is, according to him, the world‘s largest When he returned from World War II, he settled backwater. Almost every town in the world has in the same town Bruce was born in. He told him got somewhere else with the same name, but as a lot about aircraft, technology, and airships. At he says, there is no other place in the world called that time, Bruce built his first model airship, and Worksop. He recalls who besides himself comes 50 years later, he wrote the song about it called from there. For example, actor Donald Pleasance – “Empire of the Clouds“ (“Book of Souls“ album). the boldy guy who plays all the bad guys. Worksop And, as Bruce says, these stories stay with you was a coal mining town. His grandfather lived for the rest of your life, and nothing in childhood next to the miner pit as they called it, and Bruce is ever wasted. You use it for your whole life. was born in the same house, number 52. Bruce You can even tell jokes about it. thinks he was born upstairs, but he certainly was born in this house. His parents were too young When his parents returned from traveling for parenting, he was a bit of an accident, Bruce around the world, they wanted Bruce to do adds. Not that the birth was unexpected, because what they told him to do. When his parents his mother‘s pregnancy was obvious. What was started telling him what to do, he started to unexpected was the pregnancy itself at such an have a problem with authority. Dad was a big early age when she was only 16 years old. That‘s fan of cars. He knew everything about them why Bruce was raised by his grandparents for the and could talk about them all the time. He knew first five years. Shortly after his birth, his parents so much about cars that it was impossible to ran away to a circus and performed around stop him when he talked about them. He could the world in various nightclubs with their dog. talk endlessly about the transmission, all the He didn’t even know what his parents looked like. inventions, and about spare parts that you He just remembers one photo of his mother wouldn‘t even know were part of the car. in her leotard holding her hoop. Dad desperately wanted Bruce to pass the driving He was sent to a local school in that coal mining text. Without a driver‘s license, according to his town. It was so violent even for the teachers that dad, he could not become a man if he was not it was fortunate when it was finally shut down. able to drive a car. Likewise, he was desperate to

5 smoke. His father was a heavy smoker, smoking He joined a local junior school, but his parents 80 cigarettes a day. Bruce remembers sitting in decided to send him to a private school. the backseat of the car, where the smell of smoke Apparently because of the standard, they was constantly felt. When he was 13, his father thought it would be better for Bruce. One offered him a cigarette. He refused, just as he thing leads to another. Bruce explains we‘re refused to drink or obey orders. His dad asked talking about English. Whatever you say means Bruce if there was something wrong with him, something else. An English public school is if he was gay. Since then, he has had problems actually an English private school. It is not with authorities and developed a rebellious a school where all members of the public go. attitude to most of those things. Therefore, English public school means a private school. Most politicians in England, most people He moved with his parents to Sheffield, a town who consider themselves belonging to the top in the middler of England, which, Bruce wittily level of society, attended public schools, sorry, commented, was built like Rome on seven private schools. To politics, Bruce adds, “Politics hills. His parents worked very hard. They also is rock‘n‘roll for ugly people.“ had three jobs. Dad was selling cars. He was repairing the cars at home in the garage as He started becoming a musician, not real as he well. He also built houses and was knocking reveals, because he wanted to be a drummer. old houses down. Occasionally, Bruce helped He loved the drums because he was hyperactive him with it – once he wasn‘t successful, and he as a child. These days, they would probably ended up in a hospital after a fall. medicate him for it, as he comments. He was

6 a fan of Ian Paice. He didn‘t have much to do with violence against children, but then it was normal. John Bonham at first, but later he learned to love Singing in the school choir meant losing free him. He wondered how he would tell his parents evenings of the week and Sundays. Everyone in that he wanted to be a drummer. He could hardly the choir had to dress up as a girl. The choir was have hidden the drum kit in the house without led by a master who did not hide his affection his parents realizing. First, he decided to start for children. Bruce purposely failed the test and playing bongos and “borrowed“ them from the pretended he couldn‘t sing, so he didn‘t have to music room at school. He wanted to be Ian Paice go to the church. The verdict was – Dickinson and John Bonham on the bongos. He had already – non-singer, and Bruce was saved. He was decided he would not be a singer. eventually kicked out of the school for pissing on the head master’s dinner. The headmaster A part of the school he attended consisted of didn’t realize what he was eating, and at first he acres of football pitches and a church. It was said the little green beans were delicous. Shortly not a little church, but, as he says, a fucking big before being expelled, Bruce was punished for cathedral which had most likely been built by having two tons of horse shit brought to the a very rich bastard. In addition, it was legal at house master’s front door where they all lived. school for the teachers to beat children with big sticks. Actually, this is what many parents paid Bruce continued playing bongos, and with some for. When someone refused to sing in the school other friends, he decided to form a band. He choir, they were dragged down and beaten. added – a band that no one has ever heard of. Something like this would now be considered The guitarist and bassist only managed to play

7 three chords, and the singer had a trained voice, they owed was £ 270,000. Bruce also remembers which made the rock songs in his performance how their drummer Thunderstick intended to sound quite comical. The band didn’t last long create a persona status for himself. He was a because it was limited by lack of chords. Bruce big fan of KISS and decided to wear a mask. The recalls a guitarist who could only handle the first problem was that, at the same time, there was half of the opening to “Stairway To Heaven“, so it another person in England wearing a very simillar was obvious they wouldn’t go far together. mask. This person was known as the Cambridge rapist. It was like having a drummer called Harvery He continued his studies at the University of Weinstein in the band. As a result, SAMSON were Modern History and, as he himself says, never on the front page of all major music magazines, found out how it is possible to do modern and they could not convince anyone that their history. More than obtaining a diploma, he was intention was not to imitate a rapist. tempted to play in a rock band. At the university, he managed to organize concerts of most of his Steve Harris and the manager of IRON MAIDEN favorite bands for the money he had managed came to see SAMSON’s last show and invited to get to organize entertainment for students. Bruce to become the new IRON MAIDEN singer. When he brought money to the student union No one was reportedly aware of this decision, for concerts with a 20% profit, he was called especially not their singer Paul Di’Anno. Bruce a fascist who exploits students. This experience was invited to audition as the singer. He led him to gain concerts for the band in which confesses that he himself does not know where he started playing. Another way to get gigs was he got the confidence or arrogance to respond to dress like the biggest idiots. That worked on as he did. He told them if they knew that he was people. One of the members wore a Dracula going to get the job, then the question was not mask, the other looked like a 90-year-old in whether he was going to audition for them, but a funny mask. When Bruce was invited to sing if they really wanted him and expected him to in SAMSON, he was told by the band that they create something new and different from what were just before a tour and a record deal. He they had done with the original singer so far, went on to argue that he wanted to play rock then he had loads of ideas. And if they didn’t and not be a comedian wearing a mask. want him and his ideas, they should say so, and he would walk away. He was 19 or 20 at the Until he met SAMSON, he knew nothing about time, and the rest is history. drugs. He joined them on the day he received his university degree. When he came to the Bruce Dickinson recalls his first concerts outside first rehearsal, he immediately found out that England. This only happened after he joined IRON everyone was on drugs and asked if they were MAIDEN. Until then, he had only been on one going to rehearse at all. He got the answer – holiday in Spain with his parents, at the age of 12, maybe. However, they lasted that way for the and a year earlier he was camping during a school next two years, and Bruce adds that they made trip in the mountains in France. The rest of Europe every possible mistake they could make in the was a mystery to him, he says. During one year, music business. They fired their manager and had IRON MAIDEN toured Europe, America, Australia trouble with several lawyers. The total amount and Japan. In some places, they appeared even

9 two or three times. Bruce admitted he had never apparently a lot. Probably between 300,000– practiced what is now called visualization and had 400,000 fans. The sound was absolutely terrible never dreamed of playing in arenas or similar when they went on stage. There was no way places resembling arenas. During one year, he to do anything about it at that moment, other had the number one album in the charts. They than to continue. There were only local people performed as a headliner all over the world, at the monitors and none of them spoke including major festivals. He was 22 years old English. At the beginning of “Revelations“, and did not forget to joke about how great a Bruce used to play about 15 seconds of guitar disappointment it was for him that it all happened solo. To this date, he is still surprised that he so suddenly, if it could not wait and what will he ever played that solo or that somebody even do for the rest of his life. And it goes on, successful plugged in his guitar. He was so angry about albums, less successful albums, bigger tours, the situation with the sound, he pulled his smaller tours. Realizing that he didn’t just want to guitar off very quickly and aggressively, and hit stay with music and end up somewhere in rehab his head. The blood was everywhere. He broke like many of his colleagues, Bruce began to pursue his guitar on his own head, which, as he says, other activities outside the music industry. the musicians usually do at the end of the show when they break their guitars on stage. IRON MAIDEN performed as the first band at He waited until the end of the song, so he could the famous Rock in Rio. Bruce recalls it was the go for a towel to wipe himself. Then he got biggest gig ever held there until then. Nobody a message from the manager to let it bleed knows exactly how many people were there, more because it looked great on the screen.

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There was also a small memory of Bruce Before he left, Bruce said he had done one Dickinson’s first solo album “Balls To Picasso“, of the most stupid things of his life when when there was a plan for a short, maximum he took a selfie by a broken tank on his way five-minute long photo session. A toilet to the airport. Fortunately, he stayed alive. somewhere in London with a wall depicting Emotional and unique experiences from the exactly the atmosphere they wanted to concert and the whole trip were documented achieve, was sufficient. The recording and the entire story was released in 2017 on company EMI conceived it in style and had the DVD called “Scream For Me Sarajevo“. the studio built for $ 35,000. In addition, Watching this unique story chills the spine. Bruce wittily added that they probably went None of those who were involved in this bankrupt for a good reason when they were event could know what would happen next able to invest such money in something that day and whether they would still be alive. was available in every toilet. But the most important thing was their huge determination to live their lives, not to give In 2015, Bruce underwent throat cancer up, despite the atrocities that were happening treatment. Humor did not abandon him even all around. This is exactly how we should all at this stage of his life and he spoke with treat life. I see this as the main message that ease about the whole process of treatment. Bruce Dickinson symbolically left with us after The doctor warned him that he would lose meeting him, showing us how important it is most of his hair. It did not happen. He didn’t to treat life positively and with wide-ranging lose any hair at all. On the other hand, his interest and detached view. mustache fell into his beer in a pub right in front of his friends who had no idea that he And since I am not only a fan of IRON had cancer. MAIDEN, but also of Bruce Dickinson’s solo work, I am very pleased to hear that Bruce In his solo career, Bruce Dickinson appeared is working on his next solo album after 15 in Sarajevo in 1994, where none of the team years, and I look forward to it as much as to knew what to expect. A unique rock concert any other experience with this remarkable took place in the midst of a frightening war. and extraordinarily talented personality.

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