London, UK; Before Bruce Dickinson became the legendary frontman of Iron Maiden, he was just another aspiring singer navigating the New Wave of British Heavy Metal in the late 1970s and early ’80s. But in a recent conversation, Dickinson revealed there was one song sung by his predecessor, Paul Di’Anno, that convinced him Iron Maiden was the band he needed to be a part of.
That song was “Phantom of the Opera,” from the band’s 1980 self-titled debut album.
A Song That Stood Out
Released during Di’Anno’s era, “Phantom of the Opera” quickly became a cornerstone of Iron Maiden’s early identity. With its galloping riffs, dramatic tempo shifts, and progressive flair, the track showcased Steve Harris’s ambitious songwriting and the band’s raw, unpolished energy.
For Dickinson, who was then fronting the band Samson, hearing Di’Anno belt through “Phantom” was a revelation.
“When I first heard Paul sing ‘Phantom of the Opera,’ I thought, ‘This is incredible,’” Dickinson recalled. “The music was unlike anything else at the time. It was heavy, it was epic, it was theatrical. I just knew Maiden was going to be huge, and I wanted in.”
Respect For Di’Anno
Though Dickinson would later take Iron Maiden to global superstardom, he has often spoken with respect about Paul Di’Anno’s contributions. Di’Anno’s rough-edged, punk-influenced vocal style helped define Maiden’s early sound and laid the groundwork for the band’s future.
“Paul brought an aggression and street attitude that really fit those first two albums,” Dickinson admitted. “Without him, Maiden might never have gotten off the ground the way they did.”
The Transition
By 1981, Iron Maiden’s growing ambitions required a more versatile vocalist, and Dickinson got the call. His arrival marked the beginning of a new era with the release of The Number of the Beast (1982), an album that catapulted the band into international fame. Still, the influence of Di’Anno’s era remained, with songs like “Phantom of the Opera” staying in live setlists for decades.
A Legacy Shared
Today, “Phantom of the Opera” is remembered as both a Di’Anno-era masterpiece and a song that lit a spark in Bruce Dickinson, one that led him to join the band and become one of metal’s most iconic voices.
As Dickinson put it:
“That song showed me the future. It made me realize Maiden was the band I was destined to be in.”
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