In a new interview with Sweden’s Bandit Rock radio station, Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith was asked “how tired” he is of Doctor Doctor, the classic UFO song which the band has played over the P.A. system as the band’s opening intro to nearly all of its concerts since at least 2000.
Smith replied (as transcribed by blabbermouth.net): “Well, I mean, I love UFO — they’re one of my favorite bands — but maybe we should change it. We used to have a different one — it was an AC/DC song called It’s A Long Way To The Top [If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll], with the bagpipes and everything. So maybe we should bring that back. I do love Doctor Doctor‘“
Back in February 2022, singer Bruce Dickinson was asked during the question-and-answer portion of his spoken-word show at The Vic Theatre in Chicago, Illinois why the band always uses Doctor Doctor as its “entrance music” at is concerts. He responded, “It has the added advantage that everybody knows we play Doctor Doctor before we go on stage. So, before the intro tape, there’s five minutes of ‘Doctor Doctor‘. It’s brilliant, so people go, ‘Oh, quick.’ Stop having a piss, drink the last pint, get to your seats. Doctor Doctor is playing. They’ll be on in a minute. And for the road crew, it’s also brilliant. It’s, like, ‘Stop masturbating in the toilet. Wipe your a–.'”
7 Responses
Both bands are great, but I really do love AC/DC.
Steve Harris won’t change the intro song, he loves UFO and Pete Way. Just keep “Doctor Doctor”, it’s classic as Maiden’s intro song……just like it’s classic for Meh-tallica’s intro songs to be “The Ecstasy of Gold” and “It’s a Long Way to the Top”.
Tasker, are you surprised I know Meh-tallica’s intro songs? :o)
Yes, I was a bit surprised being (as you mentioned) that’s ‘Tallica’s crowd pre-opener and has been since I was first a fan since 1988. “Doctor, Doctor”, then into” Long Way to the Top” and then “Ecstasy.” Love that scene with character ’Tuco” running around the cemetery.
Btw, @Rattlehead, appreciated hearing from you about Sir Dave McMurray. If he retires I won’t go to anymore Maiden shows. I was gutted but understood why Nicko retired from touring. Dave has the best tone and presence on stage. \m/
Lastly, did yer sister get Meh-tallica Sphere tickets? They sold like hot cakes. I scored for the first set of shows. Taking my teen daughter. Should be fun. Cheers-Taskerofpuppets ;[0}==
Did you see this Rattle? https://www.ironmaiden.com/college-football-clash-reschedules-sold-out-saturday-night-iron-maiden-show/
Tasker, my sister is still trying to get tix to see Meh-tallica. During Ticketmaster presale, she got stuck in the queue and never advanced further (same thing happened to me trying to buy Taylor Swift tix about four years ago). She’s still trying to get tix, though. She went to go see the Violent Femms a week ago at a local club in Del Mar. My sister loves concerts. She was in Vegas last month to see Def Leppard and will be seeing Guns n Roses soon in San Diego. She LOVES Guns n Roses, sees them every time they come around….I always give her crap that they are the most overrated band in rock history.
I think I’d be like you and not see Iron Maiden again if Dave Murray retired from the band…no Nikko, and no Dave? I already don’t like that they have a third guitarist, Janick Gers, playing with them. He’s a fine guitarist, but he’s not “Maiden” to me.
Yes, I received an email from Ticketmaster advising of the rescheduled Iron Maiden date. Fortunately, the rescheduled date still works for me and my cousin to attend. Its gonna be a killer show!
Switching it up after 25/26 years would not be a bad thing. Any song played at that volume is gonna let people know to get outta the shitter and get your beer.
The only issue I have with Maiden live is how Steve Harris sings along to every word from every song more or less. I thought it was cool at first but now I think it’s gotten old and distracting. Other than that they are very good on stage. The best thing they did imo was keep Janick after re-hiring Adrian. I like the three guitar attack!