Here are five enlightening insights we gained from the captivating Musicians Institute In Conversation Series featuring the iconic Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, presented in collaboration with Z2 and Loudwire.

Moderated by the esteemed music industry expert Ryan J. Downey, this engaging interview revolved around The Mandrake Project, which serves as both Dickinson’s latest solo album and an ongoing comic series created in partnership with Z2.

True to Bruce Dickinson‘s multifaceted persona, there’s an abundance of activity in his life beyond any single endeavor. Over the past two years, he has expertly juggled touring commitments with Iron Maiden while revitalizing his solo career, which also includes previous spoken word tours. This showcases his incredible versatility and commitment to his craft.

Remarkably, Dickinson maintains a high standard across all his projects, fully aware of his limits, which is a lesson we’ve gleaned from this discussion.

Attendees were also given the chance to ask questions, leading to intriguing revelations, such as the identity of a French experimental artist on his wife’s playlist who has left a profound impression on him. This was yet another fascinating detail we uncovered!

Below, we highlight some of the most unforgettable and thought-provoking moments from this enlightening two-part video, which you can view at the bottom of the page, along with captivating photos that help immerse you in this exclusive event held at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood in association with Z2!

Discover 5 Key Insights from Bruce Dickinson’s Conversation at the Musicians Institute

1. Bruce Dickinson Acknowledges the Risks of Overworking

It’s an exhausting challenge just to keep track of the myriad activities that Bruce Dickinson has accomplished and continues to pursue throughout his illustrious career. Approaching 67 years old later this year, he appears to have sipped from the fountain of eternal vitality.

When posed with questions about the source of his seemingly boundless energy, especially in light of an upcoming demanding tour schedule that balances both Iron Maiden and his solo endeavors, Dickinson simply states, “I just do it. I’m supposed to be a singer, so, I mean… you sing, right?”

While he admits to having a personal threshold, we still have our doubts about the extent of his stamina.

“I do enjoy working hard,” he confesses, adding, “However, I don’t relish working too hard. That’s when your performance can start to slide downhill because you’ve overexerted yourself. After two major tours back-to-back last year, I thought, ‘Okay, it’s time to take it easy for a bit.'”

For Bruce Dickinson, taking it easy means wrapping up his North American solo tour this fall after a performance in Florida on September 4, followed by a performance at The Town festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil on September 7, and then hitting the stage in Brooklyn, New York on September 10.

This solo venture kicks off just 20 days after Iron Maiden concludes over 30 dates of their 50th-anniversary tour that begins in late May, further emphasizing his relentless dedication to his craft.

2. The New Iron Maiden Drummer Introduces a Fresh Yet Familiar Style

The highly anticipated Iron Maiden Run For Your Lives tour is set to celebrate the band’s remarkable 50-year legacy, presenting material from their debut album through to Fear of the Dark. This tour also marks the introduction of new drummer Simon Dawson, brought on board following the retirement of the legendary Nicko McBrain.

During the discussion, Bruce Dickinson revealed that Dawson was part of the band as a backup during last year’s Future Past Tour, serving as a crucial safety net.

“It was a bit of insurance for us because we were hopeful Nick would make it through the tour, but there were instances during the performance where, not so much related to his drumming, but due to his physical condition, we required a backup,” he explains.

Nicko McBrain, who bravely returned to the stage after recovering from a stroke that left him partially paralyzed just months prior to the 2023 tour, has openly discussed the challenges of managing his health at the age of 72, leading him to retire from touring.

When Steve Harris suggested Dawson as a potential backup, the chemistry they had developed over their years working together in British Lion was a significant factor. Still, Dickinson admits the band had reservations about how everything would unfold.

While on tour, Iron Maiden rented a rehearsal space in Portland, Oregon, where they practiced with Dawson.

“Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised,” the frontman shares. “We managed to run through the entire set without a single break. This guy hadn’t rehearsed with us at all… We went through the whole set of the tour we were on at the time, and it was seamless. I thought, ‘My goodness, we could perform a show right now if necessary. That’s incredible!'”

Dickinson points out that while many fans suggested other drummers as potential replacements, the band was cautious. “One of the reasons we didn’t choose those other skilled drummers is that they all wanted to replicate Nicko‘s style. You can’t replace Nicko McBrain. It’s neither feasible nor desirable to create a Nicko clone,” he reasons. “What we needed was a drummer who could play the material and bring their unique flair to the table.”

Fortunately, Dawson‘s energetic playing style offers a distinct sense of familiarity.

Dickinson remarks, “If I close my eyes during rehearsal, it’s akin to having Clive Burr back in the band.”

3. He Has a Wealth of New Material Ready for His Next Solo Album

It took nearly two decades between the release of Tyranny of Souls and Bruce Dickinson‘s latest solo album, The Mandrake Project. However, fans can rest assured that they won’t have to endure such a long wait for his upcoming solo album!

“I’ve just spent the last three weeks in the demo studio with everyone, and we ended up producing 18 tracks in just 15 days,” he reveals about the follow-up record.

“It’s going to be an absolutely fantastic album. And, of course, the producer, Brendan Duffey, who mixed Mandrake, started off by doing the [Dolby] Atmos mixes and then we transitioned to, ‘I assume you do stereo as well.’ He’s extraordinary, so we’re keeping the same team for this record. I’m looking to begin recording early next year. I’ve got some openings in January, February, March, and April that are clear for me next year.”

READ MORE: Bruce Dickinson Incorporates His Hero’s Grave Dirt into the Deluxe Edition of ‘The Mandrake Project’ Graphic Novel

4. His Wife’s Music Playlists Are a Constant Source of Inspiration

While engaging with the audience, one attendee, who referred to themselves as the Groove Juggernaut, inquired about which bands are currently on Bruce Dickinson‘s radar.

The singer echoed the name of the questioner, clearly inspired by the French experimental artist Igorrr who had recently captured his attention. “His talent is absolutely extraordinary. He transitions from classical baroque to full-on opera, then dives into death metal, all within a mere 15 seconds. His output is incredibly prolific. So yes, he’s quite remarkable.”

He also frequently tunes into his wife Leana’s Deezer playlists because “she possesses excellent taste.” What can you find on those playlists? Everything from Cookie Monster style death metal to the Uli Jon Roth era of Scorpions, and from Chicago to Yes.

While driving, one particular track from Chicago captivated him. “This song is so well constructed. Wow. I recognize it’s a bit AOR/middle of the road, but damn, it’s a fantastic song.” The 10-minute “You and I” from Yes‘s 1972 masterpiece Close to the Edge was another highlight, along with some tunes from Toto.

Igorrr, “Parpaing” ft. George ‘Corpsegrinder’ Fisher

5. Bruce Dickinson Is in Need of a New Bird Mask (Hint, Hint?!)

While discussing the influences that have shaped his onstage persona, including Jethro Tull‘s flamboyant Ian Anderson and rock ‘n’ roll innovator Ritchie Blackmore, Bruce Dickinson explained how their dynamic physical performances drew him in.

“Anderson was always doing wild things with his codpiece and twirling his flute around,” he reminisces about Ian Anderson. “And I admired Ritchie because he constantly tossed his guitar around. It was these elements that inspired me to pursue music that would have a similarly ‘kinetic’ quality. “This is why I still run around like a lunatic on stage to this very day.”

Downey quipped that without these influences, we might have never witnessed Bruce Dickinson donning a “bird mask” while performing Iron Maiden‘s “Powerslave” live.

“That reminds me,” Dickinson said, glancing around. “I need to call my costume designer and ask, ‘Could you create another bird mask for me, please?'”

This could be a teaser for Iron Maiden‘s upcoming 50th anniversary Run For Your Lives tour, which is set to commence in just a few weeks! We’ll find out soon enough…

WATCH: MI Conversation Series Featuring Bruce Dickinson

Catch both parts of the MI Conversation Series featuring Bruce Dickinson below, along with a green room interview with the legendary artist.

The Musicians Institute, located in Hollywood, California, provides a comprehensive, hands-on education in contemporary music performance, recording, guitar crafting, and the music business.

If you are serious about your music, education, and career, explore what the Musicians Institute has to offer by visiting their website.

Bruce Dickinson: Exclusive Green Room Interview

Explore the Deluxe Edition of Bruce Dickinson’s The Mandrake Project Graphic Novel

Z2 recently unveiled an exquisite deluxe edition graphic novel titled The Mandrake Project: Year One.

This deluxe edition compiles the first four issues of the comic series, along with the prologue, spanning an impressive 184 pages filled with in-depth interviews and essays that unravel the creative process. Kurt Sutter, the visionary behind Sons of Anarchy, contributes the introduction, and all of this is elegantly housed in a slipcase featuring a rotating embossed Mandrake dial. Additionally, foil collector cards and a cast metal version of the medallion that has graced both the comics and music videos are included.

Astoundingly, dirt from the grave of renowned English poet William Blake was even infused into the ink of the graphic novel.

“Finally, we have reached the conclusion of the beginning. I often have to pinch myself to believe that Volume 1 of The Mandrake Project is finally here. Sometimes I feel like I’m not entirely in control of the narrative, as if some other entity is extracting the essence from my subconscious and transforming it into ink on the page before my very eyes. We are merely at the starting point. We are all… formed… of the dead,” Dickinson passionately expresses.

“William Blake has bestowed so much upon me over the years, and I wish to repay that debt by contributing to the restoration of the Cottage,” he adds. “Despite his significant impact on the world, there is currently no center for Blake, no place where people can visit to witness where he lived and worked during a pivotal period of his life. I aspire to change that.”

Pre-orders can now be placed at the Z2 webstore.

Iron Maiden and Bruce Dickinson Upcoming Tour Dates

Iron Maiden‘s Run For Your Lives 50th-anniversary tour is set to kick off in Budapest, Hungary on May 27. This extensive tour will traverse Europe and the U.K. until August 2, featuring support from Halestorm, The Raven Age, and Avatar on select dates.

In addition, a 50th-anniversary documentary and book have been announced to commemorate this significant milestone.

Once Iron Maiden concludes their tour, Bruce Dickinson will embark on a North American solo tour commencing on August 22 in Anaheim, California, wrapping up on October 5 in Los Angeles.

For further details, make sure to visit Iron Maiden‘s official website.