by Bruce Dickinson recently shared his deep admiration for Deep Purple, revealing his desire to be part of the legendary rock band in a post shared by National Album Day.
The Iron Maiden frontman reflected on the profound impact Deep Purple’s live album had on his musical journey.
“‘Made in Japan’ was probably the second Deep Purple record that I listened to after ‘Made in Rock’, and it changed my life… it blew me away! I wanted to be everybody in that band… everybody,” Dickinson said.
He continued to describe his youthful enthusiasm for the band’s music and its lasting effect on him.
“I blew up the speakers on my parents’ stereogram playing that record. I knew every note on it. I actually used to jump around on sofas with a shitty guitar trying to be Ritchie Blackmore and doing what I imagined he did onstage,” he recalled.
Dickinson also praised the album’s enduring legacy and shared a personal connection to its production.
“What a revelation. I think it is the greatest live album — the greatest rock live album ever made and still is! I also had the privilege to work with Martin Birch, who told me all the stories about how it got made … but that’s another story!” he added.
Dickinson’s reverence for Deep Purple’s Made in Japan has been a consistent theme throughout his career. The album served as a pivotal influence on his development as a vocalist and performer.
Loudwire reported that Dickinson has repeatedly honored Made in Japan as his ultimate favorite live album, emphasizing its transformative impact on his musical aspirations. The album’s raw energy and technical brilliance inspired the young Dickinson to pursue a career in rock music. It particularly influenced his stage presence and vocal approach.
The connection between Dickinson and Deep Purple extends beyond mere admiration through the legendary producer Martin Birch. Spectrum FM noted that Birch was a renowned producer and engineer who worked extensively with both Deep Purple and Iron Maiden, creating a significant production link between the two bands’ classic sounds. Birch’s involvement with Iron Maiden during Dickinson’s tenure allowed the vocalist to hear firsthand accounts of the making of Made in Japan. This deepened his appreciation for the album’s creation.
Dickinson’s ongoing reverence for Deep Purple represents a strong artistic tie between his work with Iron Maiden and Deep Purple’s legacy. While there have been no recent direct collaborations between Dickinson and Deep Purple members, his narrative often references Deep Purple albums as milestones in his musical development. This demonstrates the lasting influence of the band on one of heavy metal’s most iconic vocalists.
The comments highlight how Deep Purple’s groundbreaking live performance captured on Made in Japan shaped not only Dickinson’s musical taste but also his approach to live performance. This contributed to his evolution into one of rock’s most celebrated frontmen.
