**Steve Harris Explains How Bruce Dickinson Really Compares to Paul Di’Anno: ‘Paul Wasn’t…’**
As the founding member and bassist of Iron Maiden, Steve Harris has had the unique perspective of working with two of the band’s most iconic frontmen: Paul Di’Anno and Bruce Dickinson. Recently, in an interview, Harris opened up about how these two vocalists differ in their approach and contributions to Iron Maiden, shedding light on the legendary transition from Di’Anno to Dickinson in the early 1980s.
### The Early Years with Paul Di’Anno
Paul Di’Anno was Iron Maiden’s original vocalist, joining the band in 1978 when the group was just emerging in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene. Di’Anno’s voice and attitude were integral to the raw, punk-infused energy that defined Maiden’s early sound. Albums like *Iron Maiden* (1980) and *Killers* (1981) feature Di’Anno’s gritty vocals that perfectly complemented the aggressive, fast-paced style the band was developing. His voice had a rough edge, fitting well with the rebellious spirit of the band during their early underground years.
Harris reflected fondly on Di’Anno’s time with the band, acknowledging his vital role in Maiden’s initial success. “Paul was perfect for where we were at the time,” Harris remarked. “He had that raw energy, that aggression, which worked really well for the early stuff. Songs like *Phantom of the Opera* and *Wrathchild*—Paul nailed it.”
Despite this early chemistry, Di’Anno’s tenure with Iron Maiden was short-lived. His rebellious persona, while initially an asset, soon began to clash with the band’s increasing ambitions. Di’Anno’s lifestyle, involving heavy drinking and substance abuse, affected his performances and reliability. “He wasn’t fully committed to the direction we wanted to go in,” Harris explained. “We were getting bigger, and that required more discipline. Paul just wasn’t able to keep up with that.”
### Enter Bruce Dickinson
By 1981, the band knew they needed a change. Enter Bruce Dickinson, who was performing with the band Samson at the time. With a powerful operatic voice and a larger-than-life stage presence, Dickinson represented a stark contrast to Di’Anno’s punk-influenced approach.
Harris has often been vocal about how Dickinson transformed the band’s trajectory. “Bruce was like a breath of fresh air,” Harris recalled. “When he joined, everything changed. His range, his presence—it allowed us to push the music further, to be more ambitious.”
With Dickinson at the helm, Iron Maiden entered what many consider their golden era, starting with the 1982 album *The Number of the Beast*, which propelled them into global stardom. Dickinson’s versatility as a vocalist, along with his theatrical stage persona, opened up new creative avenues for the band. Tracks like *Hallowed Be Thy Name* and *Run to the Hills* showcased his soaring vocals, marking a shift from the raw, aggressive tones of Di’Anno to a more refined and epic sound.
Harris elaborated on this dynamic, saying, “Bruce could handle everything we threw at him. He could do the melodic stuff, the really fast songs, and the more epic, progressive tracks. It gave us the confidence to expand our songwriting and take on bigger concepts.”
### Comparisons and Legacy
When asked directly how Di’Anno and Dickinson compare as frontmen, Harris was diplomatic but firm. “Paul wasn’t Bruce, and Bruce wasn’t Paul,” he said. “They were both great in their own ways, but they brought different things to the band. Paul had this rawness, this attitude that worked really well for the early days, but Bruce had the range and the professionalism we needed as we grew.”
Harris noted that while Di’Anno will always be an important part of Iron Maiden’s history, Dickinson was the vocalist that helped them reach new heights. “Without Bruce, we wouldn’t have been able to do albums like *Powerslave* or *Seventh Son of a Seventh Son*. He pushed us to be better musicians, better performers.”
### The Respect Between Frontmen
Despite their differences, there has always been a mutual respect between Di’Anno and Dickinson. Over the years, both vocalists have acknowledged each other’s contributions to Iron Maiden. Di’Anno has been open about his struggles during his time with the band but has also expressed pride in what he helped create.
In the interview, Harris touched on this respect. “Paul and Bruce are very different people, but they both understand what Iron Maiden means. There’s no bad blood between them. At the end of the day, they were both a big part of what made us who we are.”
As Iron Maiden continues to be one of the most successful and influential metal bands in history, the contributions of both Paul Di’Anno and Bruce Dickinson remain vital to their legacy. Harris’s reflections on the two frontmen highlight how their unique talents helped shape the band at different stages of its journey—from the raw, rebellious beginnings with Di’Anno to the epic, genre-defining era with Dickinson.
