I was still discovering Iron Maiden when they last visited Florida – 13 years ago. Needless to say, my fifteen-year-old self didn't even know about the show, much less see it. Plus, it was during the Blaze Bayley years. Even in hindsight, I don't think I'd waste my time. But once classic-era frontman Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith rejoined in 1999, my black heart broke every time the band announced a new tour. Year after year, nothing in Florida. And as if I was being personally mocked by my favorite band, concerts in Boston where I went to college only occurred when I was back home in Fla.
Since their 1999 reunion, Maiden has released three albums – one awesome, two completely forgettable – and announced a few years ago they would tour less. I pretty much gave up any hope of seeing my all-time favorite band.
But on April 2, 2009, everything changes. Iron Maiden will conclude their much-hyped Somewhere Back In Time World Tour 2008-09 at the BankAtlantic Center in Fort Lauderdale. The tour features a classic Powerslave/World Slavery Tour-era stageshow and no songs recorded after 1992.
Tickets go on sale this Friday night at 11:58 PM. That's right. Two Minutes to Midnight.
"Fear of the Dark (live)" from A Real Live One (1993).
This article appears in Feb 4-10, 2009.