Posted on 12/29/2021 6:55:44 AM PST by DoodleBob
In the video below, IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson, who is also the chairman of Caerdav, a fully approved and certified Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and pilot training company based at the St Athan – Cardiff Airport Aerospace Enterprise Zone in South Wales, United Kingdom, shares his thoughts on what has been "a challenging, yet hugely prosperous and exciting" year for Caerdav.
Operating from a former RAF maintenance base equipped with 6,000ft ILS runway and parking for up to 20 narrow-bodied airliners, Caerdav specializes in MRO work for Airbus 320s and Boeing 737s, and provides complete training for airline pilots and cabin crew.
Founded in 2012, Caerdav is one of the only independent U.K.-based MROs, specializing in the A320 and B737 families of aircraft. The company has also trained thousands of pilots who now work in every sector of commercial aviation, ranging from B747 cargo operators to captains on national flag carriers.
Caerdav's facilities include a 6,000ft/1825m runway — just 20 minutes' flight time from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Manchester, and three miles from Cardiff International. Caerdav also benefits from one of the highest-specification maintenance hangars in civilian use. Additionally, Caerdav's pilot training facilities incorporate two Boeing 747-400 simulators.
Caerdav recently entered into an agreement with GE Aviation to provide engine change support for low-cost carrier Flyadeal.
David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) is also an an aviation enthusiast. He had opened a museum and started a collection of historical aircraft called Intrepid Aviation, but later sold his interest in it when it became less of a hobby and more of a business.
Per wiki...”The band’s discography has grown to 41 albums, including 17 studio albums, 13 live albums, four EPs, and seven compilations. They have also released 47 singles and 20 video albums. Two electronic games have been released with Iron Maiden soundtracks, and the band’s music is featured in a number of other video games.”
I’m not a heavy metal fan, but you’re right...this is a cool story.
They keep releasing new music that sounds fresh and innovative. They sell out stadiums. And their core lineup hasn't OD'd or broken up with hate.
I would take some umbrage with this as Rush was the premier progrock band and I’m not so sure Maiden can be aligned with them in that sense as Rush we’re the kings of anthems.
I would contend Maiden as the pre-eminent British metal band, really the main root to the speed metal tree (Metalica, Megadeth, Anthrax). In the early 80s they dominated that scene, with Priest and Ozzy on their heels.
But......I can’t disagree with any of your other observations. They were one of the first bands to make the stage a wonder.
That’s all true, but unfortunately Senjutsu is a boring ass album.
Their only mistake was trying to one-up “Rime Of The Ancient Mariner”. That new(er) song is an abysmal audio experience.
More Cowbell!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve seen them play several times and never ceases to amaze me how much energy this guy has.
Add that to his other accomplishments and you see a man who really decided to make the most of his life.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Dickinson
Prog, to me, is about overall musicianship and dexterity and lyrical content. Rush had it all. Maiden, especially on drums, never had a guy who tore it up. But that doesn't detract from Maiden's prog skills. Their guitarists harmonized and both are extremely good (Dave Murray is probably the tops in their stable), and the galloping bass is legendary.
That said, La Villa Strangiato and By-Tor stand alone, as does Camera Eye. I think Maiden should be in the Rock Hall, but Rush should have gotten there first (and they did). I also put Maiden above Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax, though (again) the latter are thrash and in a different genre. A better comp for Maiden is Judas Priest, and I'm sorry but Maiden beats them.
And yes, Maiden wins the prize for stage show. Rush was great live, but the dryers and sausage makers were stupid.
“Rush was great live, but the dryers and sausage makers were stupid.”
That’s because they were imperfect perfection.......and the stage show, for them, was not to take away from the music. Not to say that was the reverse for Maiden, far from it. The showmanship actually enhanced the music. Rush was the complete opposite in that regard.
We say the same thing, just with tweaks on the definitions which are fluid depending on who you talk to anyway.
And I (sort of) get what they were trying to do with the dryer and sausage. I get performance art. Just like I get what Alex was trying to convey with his Rock Hall acceptance speech.
But...well...um...
That said, I'd rather rally around our 99% agreement than debate the 1% differential.
I love Iron Maiden.
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