Almost a decade after being treated for a cancerous tumor found on the back of his tongue, Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson has been candid about giving up his role if he can’t sing.
In a new interview with Rich Rollo, Dickinson, 66, revealed that he is willing to help the band find a replacement if he is unable to sing after treatment. “I was quite ready to accept that I might not be able to sing with Iron Maiden again,” the singer said. “Maybe I could sing, maybe I could sing, maybe I could sing in a different way, but if I can’t sing the way I have to sing with Iron Maiden, I’ll help them find a great replacement. because music is sacred.”
But his career didn’t come first after he was diagnosed. “When I had throat cancer, the last thing I thought about was, ‘Would I ever sing again?’ The first thing that comes to my mind is, ‘Am I going to survive this and be alive?’… And I thought, ‘Well, we’ll get to that stage when I’m done and we start trying to sing.’ ”
Bruce Dickinson performs at Ozzfest 2005.
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Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson is undergoing treatment for cancer
Dickinson joined the band in 1981 and contributed to some of Iron Maiden’s most recognizable singles, including “Run to the Hills” and “2 Minutes to Midnight”. He left the band in 1993 due to growing tensions within the band, only to finally return in 1999. Since then, the band has continued to tour and record, with their latest album, senjutsu, coming out in 2021.
“One of the reasons I think the band has survived is because over the years we’ve grown into each other as people, but at the same time the music is always sacred,” Dickinson said of his relationship with his bandmates.
On October 21, original Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno died at the age of 66 after “severe health issues”.
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Iron Maiden.
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The band issued a statement in memory of the deceased singer, writing:
“We are all deeply saddened to learn of Paul Di’Anno’s passing earlier today. Paul’s contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set the course for us as a band for nearly five decades. His pioneering presence as frontman and singer, both on stage and on our first two albums, we will remain fondly remembered not only by us, but also by fans around the world.”
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Source: HIS Education