Posted on 10/18/2022 6:35:01 PM PDT by DoodleBob
Iron Maiden experienced a Spinal Tap moment on Monday night when their Spitfire replica plane malfunctioned during their set-closing performance of "Aces High."
The Powerslave opening track has been a fixture of Iron Maiden's ongoing Legacy of the Beast World Tour, which began in 2018. The song — which previously opened the band's set and now closes it — features a 90% scale replica of a Spitfire, the single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force during World War II.
Typically, the Spitfire "flies" (i.e. floats) above the band during "Aces High." But during Tuesday's performance at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass., the plane appeared to get stuck on its way to the front of the stage. Fan-shot footage, which you can watch below, shows the wings failing to extend fully, and the plane hovering awkwardly near the back of the stage before crew members deflate it and hide it from view. Singer Bruce Dickinson can be seen glancing back at the Spitfire as it flails and flapping his arms during the guitar solo after it has retreated from the stage.
Iron Maiden is no stranger to stage prop mishaps. The band's 1986 Somewhere on Tour trek featured a giant inflatable version of mascot Eddie dressed as the futuristic bounty hunter seen on the cover of that year's Somewhere in Time. Eddie's head was supposed to inflate underneath drummer Nicko McBrain, while Dickinson and bassist Steve Harris were supposed to be raised on platforms in the palms of Eddie's hands at the sides of the stage. Unfortunately, the technology of the age was not quite advanced enough to match the band's ambition every night.
"This was the 'Great Inflatable' tour," Dickinson told Classic Rock in 2016. "Dave Lights was still doing our lighting stuff, and he was well into inflatables. He had a bit of an inflatable megalomania, in fact. He built inflatables that were so big they wouldn't actually fit inside the sodding buildings! We had two big hydraulic hands, which would raise up – not Spinal Tap at all! – with big Eddie claw hands that would inflate."
As for Eddie's inflatable head, Dickinson recalled, "It was great except when the pressure started to go and it looked a bit like a saggy bin liner. Ha ha ha!"
The Legacy of the Beast World Tour concludes on Oct. 27 in Tampa. Iron Maiden is scheduled to embark on the Future Past Tour, which will highlight 2021's Senjutsu along with Somewhere in Time, in June 2023.
Oh well, still better than dwarfs trying to chase down on Stage a 2 ft. high mock up of Stonehenge.
Wow.
Black Sabbath isn’t metal?
Guy you’re high.
They invented metal.
Period.
No ifs ands or buts.
Rock on.
🤘
The “b” sides of those singles are awesome.
“It’s not my fault your guitarist doesn’t know the difference between feet and inches”
I know may metal fans say they are the best live show band around.
Sabbath is legendary. They're a foundational blues based hard rock band. Love 'em.
But Maiden is metal. And they rule. And they don't tune down nor are they aging old men. And their new albums are molten hot.
Listening now...
I had the Aces High poster on my wall overseas 30+ years ago.
I love art, it’s awesome.
Could not agree more FRiend, Maiden is head and shoulders above all other bands…..no one touches them and you get a history lesson free of charge!
I was at the show last night. It was my 20th Maiden show. I’ve seen every tour with Bruce except Number of the Beast. They are an amazing live band. They are the best Metal band ever. I’ve seen Sabbath,Purple,Metallica,Megadeth and Judas Priest, all put on great shows but Maiden shows are always over the top. And yes they’re in outstanding form. Not many bands can keep it going like they have. Up the Irons!
Vocal coach/opera singer listens to Iron Maiden for the first time. Worth the watch
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=okFBawKnZUg
That’s a decapitation accident waiting to happen.
Ping
Agreed
I’ve seen a lot of gray concerts but Maiden is always top notch
Lot of people used to think they were bad or promoting evil and never actually paid attention to the message
Doesn’t hurt that they aren’t junkies and Bruce is an incredibly accomplished individual
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Dickinson
If Sabbath isn't metal, then neither is Iron Maiden.
Now Slayer, Sepultura, Obituary, Napalm Death, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Carcass, Entombed, Death, Bolt Thrower and Morbid Angel... bands like them, now that's real metal.
Be a helluva thing to die in s plane crash on your own rock and roll stage.
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