“Am I Gonna Get Through This and Be Alive?” Bruce Dickinson on Nearly Helping Iron Maiden Find His Replacement

Throughout his career in the spotlight, Bruce Dickinson fashioned a promising solo career that included seven studio albums. Back in March, the singer released his latest studio album, The Mandrake Project. It marked the singer’s first solo album in nearly two decades. While gaining praise for his work, most will always remember Dickinson for his time with the iconic heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Taking the stage with the band over the years, Dickinson recently opened up about his time with Iron Maiden and how he wanted to help the band find his replacement after he was diagnosed with throat cancer. 

Sitting down to discuss his music career and time with Iron Maiden on the Rich Roll podcast, Dickinson opened up about his fight with throat cancer and how he only focused on his recovery. “When I had throat cancer [a decade ago], the last thing on my mind was, would I ever sing again? The first thing on my mind is, am I gonna get through this and be alive? And the last thing on my mind was would I ever sing again? And I thought, ‘Well, we’ll get to that stage when I’m done and we start trying to sing.’”

Not remotely worried about trying to sing at that time, Dickinson knew the struggles Iron Maiden faced when he announced his throat cancer. Wanting the band to continue forward, the singer insisted, “I was quite prepared to accept that I might not be able to sing with Iron Maiden again.”

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Bruce Dickinson Cared More About The Music Than Himself

Although loving what he accomplished with Iron Maiden, Dickinson believed the power of music was more important than a single person. Recalling what he was thinking at the time, the singer concluded,  “I might be able to sing, I might be able to vocalize, I might be able to sing in a different way, but if I couldn’t sing the way I have to sing with Iron Maiden, I’ll help them find a great replacement. Because the music is sacrosanct.” 

With the podcast making its rounds, fans loved Dickinson’s dedication to music. Comments included, “Bruce is a legend. Period.” Another person insisted, “Bruce is an amazing person. I’ve been a Maiden fan since 1985 and just saw Maiden in Brooklyn. The magic is still there and infectious beyond description. Thanks for being the soundtrack to my life. Love IM for life.”

 (Photo by Mariano Regidor/Redferns)