XXV Iron Maiden Anniversary
This post is about Blaze Bayley, and unavoidably it is about Iron Maiden and my connection to them. It is admirable to think that many Maiden fans have never accepted the period when Bruce Dickinson left the band (1994-1999). But what is even more admirable, which proves their legacy, is that there is a significant number of fans that loves this period of Maiden (including me) when Blaze Bayley joined them for two studio albums (The X Factor, Virtual XI).
That was the time I started listening and going deeper into their music and I consider these two albums the beginning of a more progressive era musically. Additionally, The X-Factor was the first album I ever bought by Maiden back in November of 1995. I still remember my best friend and me, walking around my neighborhood in Thessaloniki, where we found 10.000 drachmas on the street (around 30€). We split the money and I went right away to the local record store (Echochoros) in Charilaou and bought The X Factor. Unfortunately, they had already visited my hometown in October for the very first time ever. Surprisingly enough though, they came back just a few months later but I was too young and haven't been to a live concert yet.
After that I became a huge fan of their music. I remember listening to Virus on the telephone with a school buddy who had just bought The Best Of The Beast collection and that being my first experience of listening to a new track as a Maiden fanboy.
Then in 1998 it was about time to listen to their second album with Blaze Bayley. I remember waiting to see the premiere of The Angel And The Gambler single video in Jammin on national TV. I still love this album. The announcement of their 1998 concert in Thessaloniki was unforgettable and I still remember the anticipation.
Just one day prior to the concert the unexpected happened. It was my first ever concert. My school buddy's father was working at the airport of Thessaloniki. The phone rang and my friend asked me "do you want to come to the airport in the morning? We will meet Maiden!". WOW.
That was probably the happiest moment I have ever experienced as a young big Maiden fan meeting his "idols" just before his first concert experience ever. From watching them in all these videos on TV and VHS, to waiting at the airport for these guys to come. Unbelievable! Everyone was friendly. Nicko McBrain got lost in the VIP area and was laughing all the time; Steve Harris heard some fans screaming outside the airport and went there to meet and greet them. And then, there was Blaze, the "new" guy.
Afterwards we went to the gig in Theatro Dasous. What an experience! The crowd was fantastic, screaming and signing along.
Fast forward 21 years later. The years passed, and although Blaze went on producing new music and touring- especially in Greece where we love him- I never got to see him again live until just before the pandemic started, in December of 2019 at Temple. And it was amazing to hear him again, meet him again, listen to all these favorite tracks (including Virus!) from the past but also from his recent albums.
And the story concludes with me shooting his XXV Iron Maiden Anniversary show in Gagarin 205, on Saturday 12/11/2022. I was also asked by the local promoter (thank you Christos) to take the final shot from the stage!
Let's not forget the supporting band Absolva, great musicians who perform every night double sets (as Absolva and as Blaze's band).
Very special thanks to Made Of Stone Productions for granting me access to the show.
Enjoy!