Bruce Dickinson

New York Times Bestseller “Illuminating and very entertaining…a compelling read about someone who is much more than just the guy who sings for Iron Maiden.” —Loudwire A long-awaited memoir from the larger-than-life, multifaceted lead vocalist of Iron Maiden, one of the most successful, influential and enduring rock bands ever. Pioneers of Britain’s nascent Rock & Metal scene back in the late 1970s, Iron Maiden smashed its way to the top, thanks in no small part to the high-octane performances, operatic singing style, and stage presence of its second, but twice-longest-serving, lead singer, Bruce Dickinson. As Iron Maiden’s front man—first from 1981 to 1993, and then from 1999 to the present—Dickinson has been, and remains, a man of legend. But OTT front man is just one of the many hats Bruce wears. In addition to being one of the world’s most storied and well-respected singers and songwriters, he is an airline captain, aviation entrepreneur, motivational speaker, beer brewer, novelist, radio presenter, and film scriptwriter. He has also competed as a world-class level fencer. Often credited as a genuine polymath Bruce, in his own words (and handwritten script in the first instance!), sets forth many personal observations guaranteed to inspire curious souls and hard-core fans alike. Dickinson turns his unbridled creativity, passion, and anarchic humour to reveal some fascinating stories from his life, including his thirty years with Maiden, his solo career, his childhood within the eccentric British school system, his early bands, fatherhood and family, and his recent battle with cancer. Bold, honest, intelligent and very funny, his memoir is an up-close look inside the life, heart, and mind of one of the most unique and interesting men in the world; a true icon of rock.

Jack Parsons was a brilliant chemist, member of Cal Tech propulsion unit that invented the rocket fuel used for the US space flight to the moon. He was also a fanatical believer in the Magyck of Aleister Crowley the aging occultist who considered himself 'The Beast' incarnate. In 1947 Jack Parsons and L. Ron Hubbard were performing Crowley's mystic rituals in a house in Pasadena, California.Parsons wrote excitedly to his occult leader, Crowley: 'I have had the most devastating experience of my life. I have been in direct touch with One who is most Holy and Beautiful as mentioned in your "Book of the Law". First instructions were received through Lafayette Ron Hubbard the seer. I have followed them to the letter. There was a desire for incarnation. I am to act as an instructor, guardian, guide for nine months; then it will be loosed on the world...' Crowley wrote despairingly to a disciple about Parsons: 'It appears that he has given away both his girl and his money to this writer of science fiction and is now invoking my ritual to produce a Moonchild. I am fairly frantic...' Nine months later while being visited by two students from Cambridge, Aleister Crowley died of cardiac degeneration. Missing from his personal possessions was his magical diaries and his pocket-watch. His funeral took place in the Chapel of the Brighton Crematorium. The final rites were performed by the novelist Louis Marlowe reading extracts from Crowley's "Book of the Law". "The Brighton Echo" denounced the whole ceremony as a Black Mass. In 1952 Jack Parsons was blown up in his laboratory in Pasadena. L. Ron Hubbard died on his yacht as leader of the Church of Scientology.But did the issue end with these three deaths? Would Crowley, as he claimed, ever return from death to rule the world? Why did US astronauts name a crater on the moon after Jack Parsons? Is L. Ron Hubbard really dead? What had been generated by the ceremony in California that seemed to signal Crowley's demise? And what happened to them missing pocket-watch? Unanswered questions till, late in the twentieth century, Dr. Joshua Mathers brought a 'state of the art 'Interactive Suit' from Cal Tech California to Cambridge in England to begin an experiment that, unknown to mankind, changed the course of our planet.

Bruce Dickinson is the instantly-recognisable frontman of heavy metal behemoths Iron Maiden. But there is so much more than a set of fine lungs to this hyperactive life-grabber, for whom it seems standing still is going backwards. The man once dubbed 'The Air Raid Siren' has also enjoyed hugely successful parallel careers as a fiction author, world-class fencing competitor, history expert, radio and TV presenter, movie maker, commercial pilot, inspirational speaker and entrepreneur. Since he re-joined Iron Maiden in 1999 they have continued to explore and develop, taking metal into ever more unchartered territories, as they blend a progressive outlook with a fearless approach that pushes at the very boundaries of the genre. In 2015, the voice, and the life, of Iron Maiden's singer were placed in the cruellest jeopardy as he was diagnosed with a golf-ball sized cancerous tumour on his tongue. Undaunted, Dickinson set to his recovery with the energy of one for whom a night's sleep is an irritant amidst the serious – and sometimes silly – matter of wringing every last drop out of life. There could only ever be one winner. Since his return to fitness, Iron Maiden have released an acclaimed sixteenth album, The Book of Souls, for which the singer changed hats between gigs, flying the band around the world as captain of Maiden's special airliner, Ed Force One. This first biography of Bruce Dickinson tells his story through exclusive interviews with those who know him best, including first accounts by ex-members of Iron Maiden including fellow one-time vocalists Paul Di'Anno and Blaze Bayley. From his formative days straddling the upsurge of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, through his solo years and up to his present day legendary status, this is the ultimate rock 'n' roll story.

Bruce Dickinson, best known as the lead vocalist of Iron Maiden, seems to have unbounded energy, ideas and imagination. He mesmerises thousands of fans with his integrity, vitality and wit. Wouldn’t it be great to know what makes him tick? Those who know Bruce Dickinson know: this man doesn’t do things by halves. Thus, he was voted a living example of a polymath by Intelligent Life magazine in 2009. Bruce has been recognised as a singer, a TV presenter, a record producer, a pilot and a fencer. Therefore, it should be no surprise that his lyrics also stand out. His subject matters are challenging ­­– he reflects on life and death, freedom and destiny, man and God, sex and religion. Asked about the complexity of his lyrics, Bruce said in an interview: “I ask myself, does it rock? And if it does, who gives a s**t what’s it’s about? All information’s there if people choose to dig for it.” The treasures you can find are absolutely worth the digging. Bruce also added: “And if they don’t then it doesn’t matter, so long as they enjoy it.” Bruce Dickinson is an undisputed master of heavy metal; his voice and music are a natural force. The subjects are extremely interesting and Bruce succeeds in artfully getting to the heart of them. This is why this book is dedicated to Bruce as a songwriter, as a poet of lyrics, some of which represent little masterpieces – even without music. They point beyond themselves by means of powerful imagery. Their ambiguity holds some surprises. The best way to get to know the real Bruce Dickinson probably is to have a beer with him. But he admitted that through his lyrics “you can certainly maybe get an idea of what is going {sic} on with myself,” and that’s why all fans of Bruce, and Iron Maiden, should read this book.

'A must for fans and rock buffs' The Sun 'Fascinating read' Powerplay Judas Priest formed in Birmingham in 1969. With its distinctive twin-guitar sound, studs-and-leather image, and international sales of over 50 million records, Judas Priest became the archetypal heavy metal band in the 1980s. Iconic tracks like 'Breaking the Law', 'Living after Midnight', and 'You've Got Another Thing Coming' helped the band achieve extraordinary success, but no one from the band has stepped out to tell their or the band's story until now. As the band approaches its golden anniversary, fans will at last be able to delve backstage into the decades of shocking, hilarious, and haunting stories that surround the heavy metal institution. In Heavy Duty, guitarist K.K. Downing discusses the complex personality conflicts, the business screw-ups, the acrimonious relationship with fellow heavy metal band Iron Maiden, as well as how Judas Priest found itself at the epicentre of a storm of parental outrage that targeted heavy metal in the '80s. He also describes his role in cementing the band's trademark black leather and studs image that would not only become synonymous with the entire genre, but would also give singer Rob Halford a viable outlet by which to express his sexuality. Lastly, he recounts the life-changing moment when he looked at his bandmates on stage during a 2009 concert and thought, 'This is the last show'. Whatever the topic, whoever's involved, K.K. doesn't hold back. From the band at the very beginning until his retirement in 2011 (and even still as a member of the band's board of directors), Downing has seen it all and is now finally at a place in his life where he can also let it all go. Even if you're a lifelong fan, if you think you know the full story of Judas Priest, well, you've got another thing coming.

The name 'Tony Iommi' sends shivers down the spines of guitarists around the world. As lead guitarist and songwriter of Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi is considered to be one of the most influential musicians of the past four decades and the inventor of heavy metal. From working class, Midlands roots, his unique playing style - a result of a disfiguring hand injury he suffered working in a sheet metal factory - created a dark and gothic sound unlike anything that had been heard before and which captured the mood of its time. Sabbath went on to become a superband, playing to massive audiences around the world and selling millions of records, and Iommi led the life of a rockstar to the fullest - with the scars from all the drug-fuelled nights of excess and wildness to show for it. Iron Manis the exclusive account of the life and adventures of one of rock's greatest heroes.