Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson, never one to censor himself, has reportedly taken a couple of potshots at Metallica and Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford.
According to Loudwire, the singer recently chastised Halford for apparently using a teleprompter to help him remember lyrics during live shows. “People pay good money and you can’t even remember the sodding words,” exclaims Dickinson. “The daftest one I ever saw was Breaking the Law.”
Also, back in 2011 Dickinson told Metal Hammer that Iron Maiden were a much better band than Metallica.
“I got into trouble for saying that we’re better than Metallica … and, it’s true!” Dickinson added, “They might be bigger than us and they might sell more tickets than us and they might get more gold-plated middle-class bourgeoisie turning up to their shows but they’re not Maiden. I did say it’s a bit of a wind-up. I thought, if I’m going to turn into an a–hole, I might as well, you know, go for it!”
In a new interview with the Guardian, Dickinson’s comments were brought up to Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, who offered a humble response. “I will never argue with that,” says Ulrich. “I will always support Bruce Dickinson in whatever nonsense he says. That’s part of the fun. So go Iron Maiden! It’s fine.”
additional source: loudwire.com
153 Responses
Bruce Dickinson is no Rob Halford.
Why is this even controversial? So he thinks his band is better than Metallica. While I agree, even if I didn’t, isn’t he entitled to his own opinion? And what would you expect him to say of his own band? That they suck? It’s like in sports, even if your team is 0-12, you’d never say “we don’t have a chance to win our next game.” He does have a point with he teleprompter though, I mean, are Priest lyrics that complicated anyway? “In the dead of night, love…..ummm…..ummmm…..line please!”
That’s what I’m talking about…a guy who doesn’t mince words…and he backs up what he says, a freaking teleprompter for “Law?” I told you Rob was bored out of his mind doing Priest these days and he’s just can’t pass up the huge paycheck…Rob just works the suit now…that “Redeemer” album is just barely good enough to make the die hard drooling fans buy it. As for Metallica? Maiden sells massively, so I don’t get the comparison in sales, but I do get what he says about how bourgeoisie the culture of rock and roll iiis…venue, not scalpers, are selling tickets of upwards of $200! The shows start at 7 pm! That is the antithesis of rock and roll…
Rob doesn’t use a teleprompter on the LAW. He walks all over the place during that number. Seen them 10 times I should know. Rob has nothing more to prove. He’s The Metal God. He’s abused his mind and body over the years with drugs and alcohol. Shit that kills brain cells and does oh let me see…affects memory! So what if he needs help. So what.
Bruce on the other hand wears Crocdile Hunter outfits when discussing Metal. He should STFU!
Rob claims to be sober since 1986! You are making excuses for a self proclaimed “metal god?” what’s the world coming to? The whole point of Priest, is they deliver the goods, period! That’s it! Rob can still sing, just not his old material (and again, no one could at his age!) When he doesn’t sing out of his range he still outclasses most singers, so he should adjust or quit!
Another great post Clown. Bruce is a top front man and his performances are always 100% so I respect what he says. I saw MAIDEN on the 7TH SON OF A 7TH SON tour and Bruce smelled pot in the audience and he threw out a criticism. I forget his exact words but it was bold and I’ve always admired him for that. Bruce is a renaissance man who does back up what he says. He actually went looking for Paul Di’Anno in Brazil to ask him to sing some oldies but Paul was on tour elsewhere. For Bruce, it’s about the show and the fans first and foremost. Class act!
Thanks Richman.
So I guess we won’t be seeing a triple bill of IRON MAIDEN/JUDAS PRIEST/METALLICA anytime soon?!
BRUCE DICKINSON IS MY FAVORITE SINGER OF ALL TIMES.
I agree about being a better band than metallica…but dickinson is a d’bag..