Bruce Dickinson of the legendary Iron Maiden has responded to Lady Gaga's comment that she would rather be called the next Maiden than the next Madonna.
"I think she's great, and I agree with her," Dickinson told Corus Radio. "She's not the next Madonna, she's way better than that. First of all, she can sing, she's got a belter of a voice. She's a really good instrumentalist. And, I mean, she's got a great sense of drama and anybody that could turn up to an awards ceremony dressed as a bacon sandwich gets my vote. I mean, she's great."
In her recent interview for CR Fashion Book, Lady Gaga said of Iron Maiden: "They're one of the greatest rock bands in history, in my opinion. Some people really don't know the importance of metal and the scope of it. Those guys were filling stadiums, and they still are. And it's because of the culture of the music, the poetry that's so powerful, that whenever the fans come together, they unite in the essence of what Iron Maiden is all about. I always used to say to people, when they would say, 'Oh, she's the next Madonna.' No, I'm the next Iron Maiden."
Lady Gaga has been a long-time Iron Maiden fan, telling Rolling Stone back in 2011 that her Maiden concert experience had been life-changing. "I went to see Iron Maiden the other night, and I actually watched the show from a box," she said. "And we were laughing as we walked it was me and my two best friends as we were walking into the box, we had a bunch of drinks, we were all going, 'This is so not metal, to be in a box.' So, we watched most of the show from the box and then we were gonna go meet the band. And when we got there, I grabbed Lady Starlight and I said, 'Let's go,' and we just booked it into the center of the crowd. And we were dancing and singing and everyone was just so into it. And it was one of the first times I've been able to just be at a rock concert in a long time."
She continued: "People did recognize me, but it was so kind and warm and awesome. I mean, Iron Maiden is all about, 'We don't care who our fans are. We love everybody.' I guess what I'm trying to say is the devotion of the fans moving in unison, pumping their fists, watching the show, when I see that, I see the paradigm for my future and the relationship I want to have with my fans. Iron Maiden's never had a hit song, and they tour stadiums around the world, and their fans live, breathe and die for Maiden, and that is my dream. That is my dream. And not only that, but when we got into the crowd, there was no pretension. I'm a pop singer I didn't know what it would be like in a crowd of Maiden fans; everybody was hugging me, high-fiving, fistpumps in the air 'Oh, it's so cool you're at Maiden.' Jumping and dancing I mean, it was like absolute no judgment, no prejudice, freedom and love for music. It doesn't matter who you are; you don't need to know anything about music to love it. And it was just so It was just awesome Maiden changed my life."
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