I saw Dennis walking outside the O2 to see Maiden in August 2018. I asked him for selfie, shook his hand, couldn't believe my luck. What a nice fella!

@dba4292

2 жыл бұрын

Did he have to get/pay for his own ticket and/or being stuck somewhere in the crowd?

First 2 Maiden albums have always been my favorites out of all of them.

@danielvecchi9939

2 жыл бұрын

You forgot Maiden Japan.

@blacksabbath1022

2 жыл бұрын

@@danielvecchi9939 That's a great one too. Growing up I was completely in the minority when it came to Maiden. Everyone loved Dickenson with The Number of the Beast through 7th Son while I was always a Dianno first two albums and Maiden Japan guy. I don't mind the first 3 with Bruce but they started to lose me. I much preferred the hard hitting aggressive Maiden with Paul's style of vocals and those epic guitar riffs and drums/bass where the instrumentals kicked all kinds of ass over what they would do later on. We're still in the minority but I'm glad to see there is more of us on the internet that agree with me. I've never been that big on the operatic, lots of vibrato metal "singers." I was always someone that preferred the sound of a singers voice over whether he was a technical singer. Its why I favor guys like Bon Scott, Paul Dianno, Ozzy, Hetfield etc..over Tony Martin, Dickenson, Dio.. Those guys are good don't get me wrong but the more aggressive style of vocals have always been my preference. Maiden were so good on their first 2. If they continued in that direction they may have ended up being a top 5 band for me.

@danielvecchi9939

2 жыл бұрын

@@blacksabbath1022 your not wrong he had this forceful voice about him that was different and the dress to leather studded arm bands Paul had the punk look but like it said on maiden Japan earth dog look can only agree with you forceful voice Paul your not wrong forceful voice like Lemmy as well really set the way for heavy metal for year to come metal 🤟 to you.

@blacksabbath1022

2 жыл бұрын

@@danielvecchi9939 Damn, how'd I forget Lemmy? He's like the quintessential guy I was talking about lol. Have a good one bro🤘

@michaelmarifern9541

Жыл бұрын

1st 2 LP'S WERE PHENOMENAL..street metal, kids could relate & it was perfect!!

Glad to see Dennis kept the music career going after Maiden.

i always had the impression stratton had a huge influence on them early songs, the way he talks and speaks, he seems like a guy with a really good i.q, intelligent musician.

Dennis is older than the rest of the band and it was a matter of time, back then, to leave Iron Maiden. However, he deserved to record and tour for Killers album. I mean, this guy was there, rehearsing all these songs.

LEGEND.... unforgettable tone and feeling, his solos make the hairs stand up!, Thank you Dennis, you contributed more to Maiden than anyone knows.

Dennis is awesome. Love the first album!!! my favorite Maiden era has always been 1978-1985. The Soundhouse Tapes, All the early pub gigs, The first 5 Maiden albums. Its all amazing...people like Dennis Stratton, Tony Parsons, Doug Sampson are just as responsible for that classic maiden sound as Steve Harris, Paul Di'anno, Clive Burr, Dave Murry, Adrian Smith, Bruce & Nicko are.

finally an interview with Dennis Stratton! Thanks for that!

Always a pleasure to listen to Mr. Stratton

DID NOT KNOW ABOUT ROD MAKING DENNIS FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE in Maiden, just coz he was listening to other forms of music. Did Dennis, listening to other forms of music, make Rod think that Dennis had influence to change Maidens musical direction. Who knows. I listen to Kate Bush, Boney M. Also listen and go to see Dumpys Rusty Nuts, Exploited, Bad Brains, Discharge, D R I and a thousand others but I do get judged, sometimes. I used to make compilation tapes to play at work. Marvin Gaye next to Sham 69, Bad Manners next to Maiden, Olivia Newton John next to Exploited, Specials next to Trouble, Sister Sledge next to Motörhead and so on. The floor banter was hilarious. Usual expression was W T F. YOUR NUTS. I only saw Maiden with Dennis twice and I was well impressed. Oh well, life goes on I suppose. Good luck Dennis.

Up the Irons! Dennis is a very nice person , great to listen about history

What an awesome guitar player. Always loved his phrasing and vibrato

Adrian is an exceptional player and songwriter can you blame them?... He was also Dave’s best friend as kids, that’s a powerful influence in itself. I won’t question Steve Harris’s decisions , he is Iron Maiden.

Thank you Dennis for your contributions to my favorite band.

to this day i still wonder what kind of music would have been created with Dennis in the band...

@johnhyout

5 жыл бұрын

🤔 ... Just listen to the first IM album and even the second (in part).

you have no idea sir what an amazing player you have been. i m 27 i just discovered iron maiden 1 year ago. and 2 days ago i discovered that it was you on the first two albums... i m crazy about stuffs you have recorded and played . You sir are a legend. if i were in your place right now ,believe me i 'd be crying for the stuffs i had written in making iron maiden what it is today... Huge respect for you sir

Played on one the greatest rock debut albums ever 👍🎸🎸

I was sorry for him. The band (to be clear I mean Rod & Steve) were quietly setting it up for Adrian all along but couldn't get him at first. Same when they toured with Nicko and Trust. A few beers down the line & they started a plot to oust Clive. Sorry if the truth sounds harsh

@rickleblanc8900

5 жыл бұрын

He left the band because Mr. Rod disapproved of his musical tastes and made him feel like shit?? That is fucking weak. Dennis was (is) a very talented musician who definitely played a big part in how the 1st Maiden album sounded guitar wise thanks to his harmony lead parts and rhythm support for Dave Murray. No lack of dedication or loyalty to Maiden as far as i can see. I hate it when bands dismiss players for bullshit unfounded reasons. On the plus side, I'm happy he is still playing and pursuing his musical passion .

@lmjones7716

5 жыл бұрын

I agree with you. Maiden were ruthless in their pursuit of the ultimate line-up. I suspect there were other reasons they fired Stratton, apart from him listening to the Eagles and 10cc, things like image and his slightly older age. They try to impart a chummy image but behnd the scenes Maiden are a well oiled business machine.

@WhoisVinnie

3 жыл бұрын

Firing Clive was bullshit

@Contato1001

3 жыл бұрын

@@WhoisVinnie it simply killed the band, IM was never the same without him. Only really good thing after Clive left are the albuns with Blaze, and in those albuns, to my surprise this nicko guy plays well

@Contato1001

3 жыл бұрын

@@WhoisVinnie it amazes me that to this day we still dont know for sure why Clive left

Really enjoyed this video. Dennis seems to be a properly humble chap, and a great storyteller. What a guy! I would have loved to have heard his contributions to "Killers".

Great interview, I would have loved to see and hear more of it

I can never forget the first time that I heard the iconic first solo of Strange World. That solo is smt special. Thank you Dennis, for all the amazing solos, lovely harmonies and great backing vocals (esp on Phantom Of The Opera).

Dennis is playing in Romford Sunday! I am going to go and see him. The ex BT engineer !!!!

Συγχαρητήρια, ωραία συνέντευξη, πολύ καλή δουλειά !

Dennis used to play in The Dean Swift, on Sunday lunchtimes, with Dave Edwards, I went in sober and came out wonky many a Sunday early evening..

Seems like a really genuine fella,great interview.

very good interview :)

It would be that it is my presumption that Dennis created the beginning of Phantom of the Opera!!!!!

Μράβο φίλε, ωραία συνέντευξη

Rod Smallwood sounds like a not so benevolent dictator. Big mistake letting Stratton go. A very creative artist /musician. Mantis, Maiden, Lionhart, Atkins, DiAnno all benefited from Stratton musical acumen.

Cheers to you Dennis! Thank you for the harmony leads! lol

Rod did him dirty for sure. Wasn't right how they let him go. Would've been awesome if they kept him and Adrian still joined and they would have had the triple guitar attack way back then. People sometimes don't remember that they had 3 guitarists in the 70's at certain points. Just would have been interesting to hear what he could've written along side Dave and Adrian.

Would love to hear more about the 1980 live "Drifter" song featuring Dennis Stratton vs The 1981 Killers LP featuring Adrian Smith on guitar.

He’s a nice bloke met him a few years ago at the o2 on the BOS tour

those first 2 albums will always be my favorite Maiden albums. the music was amazing, the vocals fit perfect, the grooves were amazing, the time signature shifts were killer, no pun intended. in my book, im sorry to say, maidens last real good album was powerslave. everything after that to me was a sad attempt to keep the machine rolling. but its lost its punch, its lost its drive. the first 2 albums were raw, hard hitting and perfect.

What’s the song end of the clip?

Legendary 🎸

Every interview I've seen with Dennis, he seems like a really down-to-earth, humble, decent guy. Great playing on the IM album. Also great to hear live performances of him playing the likes of Killers and Wrathchild. It is shitty that things went pear-shaped with him and Maiden. From what I've heard of his endeavours in the years since, it does seem more AOR-oriented. That does corroborate the "musical differences" line given for his dismissal from the band. He was treated badly, though. I totally get why you'd want to not be in each others' face 24x7. Top geezer

nice Spitfire poster in the background!

es idéntico a un actor de México, me refiero a él famoso "resortes" . saludos desde la CDMX

I really would like to know what kind of music he was getting into

Great to hear Dennis Strattons side of the story.. sounds like he got a raw deal.

I sea a very young man! Cause his soul is always young.

Thanks for your mint playing Dennis

I would pay alot to read your book

My fantasy line up: Paul Di'Anno Adrian Smith Dennis Stratton Clive Burr Edit: At first, I did not include Steve , because obviously the four above are more 'risk taker', experimental guys, and that's why they are there and why that's my list. Whereas Steve is the exact opposite, who keeps with 'approved patterns' in his songs altohugh I love them. But I'm also very well aware of the fact that if he weren't there then we'd never have Maiden at all. It's just my line up. The rawer and less professional guys.

@christiaanmondria4516

6 жыл бұрын

Fatih Sendur So no bass player, no Steve Harris?

@mvl71

5 жыл бұрын

@@christiaanmondria4516 _...And Justice For All_ has no bass to speak of, so it could work.

@adie.b3601

5 жыл бұрын

You missed steve off mate

@christschinwon

5 жыл бұрын

Are you on bass per chance?

@lmjones7716

5 жыл бұрын

They should've got together around 1990 and called themselves X Maiden.

What’s the song @13:28?

@RockpagesTV

Жыл бұрын

"Letting Go" by Praying Mantis kzread.info/dash/bejne/mHpmqY-dqtnSedI.html

Proper geezer 👍

now I know why Iron Maiden and Killers are so close together. :D

Was the blonde in the "Women in Uniform" video Leslie Ash?

@spiritdude2828

5 жыл бұрын

Yes.

@rickleblanc8900

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah she's very nice! Watched the video for Maiden, though. Lol

@juliantwigden6522

5 жыл бұрын

No it is her elder sister debbie ash

I like Steve Harris and all, but it's quite hypocritical and ironic of him to say he hated how Dennis here added harmonies, but they were all about that a few years later, especially with the re-introduction of Adrian Smith. Because I mean, what are they going to do, all play the same notes or only two lines?... I don't think so.You can really expand it with a third guitar, which they did. - Of course it can also get too crazy, but in any case, the epic and beautiful harmonies are one of the most essential elements in Maiden's music. I do the same when I play along anyway, add things they never played.

@lmjones7716

5 жыл бұрын

Nowhere does it say that Harris hated harmonies. They just wanted to fire Stratton and get a new guitarist in.

@phili58

4 жыл бұрын

maiden had harmonies before dennis was even in the band! in one of their pre-dennis lineups they had 3 guitar players. I think he is bending the truth by saying he added a lot of the harmonies in the material for the first album. steve was a die hard wishbone ash and thin lizzy fan - he always envisioned and wrote music based around harmonies

@dba4292

2 жыл бұрын

Harmonizing lines is what Maiden has been about since pretty much Day 1. Phantom, Iron Maiden, Transylvania, all place a HEAVY emphasis on harmony. It is their sound, that and galloping rhythms. That said, they didn’t like Dennis’ harmony influences from other bands. Read up on wiki, Iron Maiden Debut Album / Background. He started copying other bands harmony stuff, that’s when Steve finally had enough all together.

A top bloke is Mr Stratton....

Saw Maiden's first three tours happy memories! Paul was miles better than Bruce Bruce.....

Come on Dennis - punk didn't ruin any good bands - it helped Maiden

@marguskiis7711

5 жыл бұрын

exactly. the Steve Harris "I hate punk" stories are pure hypocrisity.

Heavy Metal Lovejoy!!

West ham is an Essex team. People from Bethnal green in particular supported Tottenham or arsenal because of the overground train line which goes straight to white hart lane.

@patrickjamesworrow1130

Жыл бұрын

Dont talk rubbish, bell end

Up the irons, go hammers 🔨🔨

A 30 year old guy telling a 28 year old guy how to live their life?... Hah! Not happening.

Its funny how maiden always puts knives in everyone’s back to get the next person on. Stratton, d’ianno, burr. All were kicked out because they wanted someone else. Look at Smith, he was the stratton replacement and in 1990 they kicked him out to get gers in. Sadly, gers is nowhere near what adrian can do so they wanted him back. Even long term members need to be on their toes. I still think Gers sucks and isnt a contribution to maiden. Maiden peaked in the 80’s and no prayer for the dying was their first shitty album. The rest that followed wasnt really better. Harris was out of material to write and dickinson sounds like he is overreaching with his voice.

@demodick

3 жыл бұрын

Dude Adrian left on his own accord and Clive was really getting sick!No bad blood there. Bruce also left on his own. Now Dennis? yeah he got the shaft. Love his stuff!

@Contato1001

3 жыл бұрын

Clive getting sick back in 1982?????? where did you get this info?

@SomewhereInTheMaidenverse

3 жыл бұрын

Adrian definitely left on his own accord and has spoken a lot about it. He was already feeling uneasy on the SS tour in ‘88. Smallwood had Maiden on such a tight schedule that it didn’t leave any time for Clive to grieve his father’s death and sort himself out. Clive’s departure for me is the toughest one to process, mainly because he has said he didn’t want to leave and was blindsided by the decision. He said that the rumors about his partying affecting his performances aren’t true. RIP Clive.

@edwardbennett7813

3 жыл бұрын

Plus dianno is better than Bruce

@sluice

2 жыл бұрын

@@edwardbennett7813 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

smallwood is 100% the reason maiden got, and remained huge.

It's hilarious that Dennis thinks he was the one to introduce Maiden to guitar harmonies. There are plenty of pre-Stratton Maiden recordings which show it was always part of their sound. Dennis would like to think he is way more important to Maiden's sound than he as.

I was 16 in 1980 managed to see maiden 10 times with dianno ,seen Dennis a few times, then Bruce dickhead joined and ruined an amazing band, long live first two albums 😈

@korhansoydan

5 жыл бұрын

:)

@adie.b3601

5 жыл бұрын

Well said brett i like it my friend 👍

@rubysoffner4557

5 жыл бұрын

Bruce didn’t ruin an amazing band. Bruce took the band to heights impossible had Paul stayed in the band. They went from a great band to a world class band and still are

@brettkeepin808

5 жыл бұрын

@@rubysoffner4557 everyone always has a different opinion, when I saw Dickinson in Samson at reading I took an instant dislike to him. But that's my opinion, not everyone's

@marguskiis7711

5 жыл бұрын

@@rubysoffner4557 What heights? They already were world famous when BD joined.

0:35 "Rubber bank"?? Oh, rob a bank...got it.

He hates punk? But maiden was punkish at start hmm

@korhansoydan

5 жыл бұрын

It seems that he didn't also like the "punkish" side of Maiden as well. Rod and Arry' felt that. Dennis seems he was more melody and hardrock guy.

@lmjones7716

5 жыл бұрын

Apart from Di'anno's image, Maiden were never punk.

@marguskiis7711

5 жыл бұрын

@@lmjones7716 Hehehehe, the "Iron Maiden" LP is a pure hardcore punk with some longer solos. Doesn`t even sound metal at all.

@lmjones7716

5 жыл бұрын

@@marguskiis7711 - The psychedelic and Hendrixy 'Strange World'; punk? The proto prog-metal of 'Phantom Of the Opera' and 'Remember Tomorrow'; punk? The bass playing and drumming of Steve Harris and Clive Burr; punk? I think not.

@lmjones7716

5 жыл бұрын

@Margus Kiis - You may as well call Genesis and Led Zeppelin punk - they both had their aggressive moments.. Hell, every band in creation is punk by your reckoning. Stop this nonsense - everyone knows what the description 'punk' entails when applied to bands and it sure don't describe Maiden - even in their earliest days.

dennis never suited maiden