On October 26, 1981, New Wave of British Heavy Metal standard bearers Iron Maiden performed their first concert with new lead singer, Bruce Dickinson at the Palasport of Bologna, Italy— a daring personnel change for a band that was already enjoying great success with two fine albums recorded behind well-liked frontman Paul Di’Anno...
Well, not THAT Led Zeppelin, of course -- but the world’s newly unveiled longest aircraft certainly bears more than a passing resemblance to the hydrogen-filled airships of old, and counts Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson among its primary champions and private investors — as well as test pilot.
The heavy metal community was virtually celebrating in the streets on Feb. 10, 1999 when it learned that British legends Iron Maiden would be welcoming fan-favored vocalist Bruce Dickinson back into the fold after a six-year absence (and guitarist Adrian Smith after a decade).