Spitfire TE311/4DV opens the show for Iron Maiden...

[RandolphB]

The classic WWII fighter plane crossed the skies above Donington three times before the NWOBM giants launched into 1988 track Moonchild in a cloud of pyrotechnics.

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk16, registration TE311 / 4DV, is maintained by the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight.

Maiden’s show was previously billed as the only UK show on the current leg of their Maiden England tour, which focuses on the set they delivered while promoting classic album Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son.

But at the end of the performance they announced they’d be playing London’s O2 on August 3.

Frontman Bruce Dickinson explained: “We thought that, because this tour has been such an amazing experience for band and fans alike, it somehow seems right to finish up back home in England and have the final show celebration on home turf. The 02 is a great venue to play with a really fantastic vibe, so we’re really looking forward to this show being one almighty party.”

Meanwhile, it’s been revealed that Dickinson had to pull out of his planned charity cycle ride in order to ensure he was fit enough for tonight’s show.

He’d aimed to join the Heavy Metal Truants for the last leg of their 161-mile trip from London to Download, organised by Maiden manager Rod Smallwood and Metal Hammer editor Alexander Milas.

But after contracting a virus he was ordered to rest, and said he was feeling fine ahead of the performance. He added: “Donington is the only place you can still make a proper noise in the UK.”

Download 2013 ends tomorrow after appearances by Rammstein, 30 Seconds To Mars, A Day To Remember, Airbourne and more.

http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/maiden-launch-set-with-spitfire-flypast/

[PbyCat-Guy]

Thanks for sharing, I'm a big fan of Maiden. Bruce is a 757 Captain in the UK and he has a 757 that he uses for the tours "Ed Force One" and the groups song "Aces High" is a tribute to the Battle of Britain. Maybe one day I'll be able to see them live. Gotta love an artist that is also an airline pilot

[RandolphB]

Sadly, the airline he flew for went out of bsuiness. At the time, he was Head of Marketing (I think that was his post...), in addition to being a pilot. Always moving forward, he has started an MRO and is in talks to start his own airline (!!!!!!!!), growing it out of the ruins of Astraeus. http://www.hennemusic.com/2013/06/iron-maiden-singer-to-launch-new-airline.html

I have had the great fortune to see Maiden 11 or 12 times. I have met Bruce a number of times, and he invited me to the studio in LA one night while making a solo album there. It was the day before he took his flight exam for his Commercial rating....and we spoke at length about aviation. He is a hell of a nice (and intelligent) guy. He threw his name begind the project to return the Vulcan to flight.......

[Thomas_Mac]

Saw Iron Maiden on this tour back in July when they came to Toronto, they put on one great show! They really should have opened with Aces High after the Spitfire opener

[Warbird Kid]

Very very cool! I've often wondered how well an airshow / musical performance combo would go over. This is kind of that start! Wonder how many American acts have the same appreciation for this generation or these aircraft?

[lmritger]

Well, having the Mosquito do fast passes over the airfield as the Virginia Symphony played the theme to "633 Squadron" at the Flying Proms earlier this month was certainly one of the most awe-inspiring things I've experienced in years. With that said, I reckon I might pass out from adrenaline overload if Bruce and the boys somehow mustered a Balbo of Spitfires in a high-speed overflight then launched immediately into "Aces High".

Still, it should be some sort of absolute requirement that you MUST love Iron Maiden if only because Bruce Dickinson is such a firm friend to historic aviation. The fact that Iron Maiden is so freakin' awesome is just a bonus.

Lynn

[C VEICH]

I've often wondered how well an airshow / musical performance combo would go over.

As I recall the Phoenix 500 air races included a Jimmy Buffet concert on at least one occassion. Or maybe it was the airshow that superceeded the races. Maybe not the best example since neither one lasted very long!

[Thomas_Mac]

When AC/DC took their Black Ice tour out to the western Canada the Snowbirds opened one of the shows I recall.

[shrike]

I've often wondered how well an airshow / musical performance combo would go over.

As I recall the Phoenix 500 air races included a Jimmy Buffet concert on at least one occassion. Or maybe it was the airshow that superceeded the races. Maybe not the best example since neither one lasted very long!

1994, the first Phoenix 500. Rumour had it that Jimmy played primarily for VIP tickets to the race, and to write off the trip.

[Mike]

Very very cool! I've often wondered how well an airshow / musical performance combo would go over. This is kind of that start! Wonder how many American acts have the same appreciation for this generation or these aircraft?

There are a significant number of 'flying proms' type events in the UK, where they have a stage and full orchestra coupled with appropriate aircraft flying (Lancaster/Dambusters March, Spitfire or Hurricane/Battle of Britain theme, Elgar's Nimrod Variations/Hawker Nimrod, Biplanes/Mag Men theme, etc)

Sadly, many of them go under, often owing the flying acts money, if they have a wet concert or two.