Although Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith left and then rejoined the band in 1999, there haven’t been any lineup changes in the 25 years that have passed since then – and Dickinson says there’s a good reason for that.

“We’re in the state now where the band’s really successful, and we all get on, probably because — with the exception of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, who lived in the same street together when they were growing up — none of us would ever have met each other if it wasn’t for Iron Maiden,” Dickinson says. “So, this is a great place to be. We’re probably one of the biggest heavy metal bands in the world. We mean a huge amount — and I do understand that — to millions of people around the world. And what’s not to love about still being able to do it?”

Dickinson replaced singer Paul Di’Anno in 1981, quit the group in 1993 and rejoined in 1999.