Iron Maiden vow 'we’re not stopping after this tour' & promise 'some surprises' for 2018

Currently in midst of the US leg of their sprawling Book of Souls world tour, Dave, who alongside Steve Harris is the only Iron Maiden member to feature on all their albums, was asked by The Press Enterprise about the band’s retirement plans.

“We’re not stopping after this tour – this isn’t the last tour by any means,” Dave declared.  

“We’re going to finish this one out, which we’re having a lot of fun doing, and then we’re going to take some time off – and next year there’s going to be some surprises."

“When you’re doing something you love doing, it’s been fantastic even after all this time, but obviously seeing the kids’ reaction, that gives it a big lift. They’re singing along to the new songs and the old songs as well.”

Asked the hypothetical question about how he would feel if Iron Maiden came to an end, Dave said: "If it was to finish tomorrow, I think I could say quite honestly that I've been very happy and very lucky and have done everything, enjoyed most of it, because of all the places we've travelled to, you'd never go there.

“We're lucky enough in that respect to see the world several times over by being on tour. That in itself has been a great experience and also playing music and being able to express ourselves in a melodic form, an aggressive form and just have fun with that.

“The future, there's still things to do so you just keep inventing new things all the time, try to create new things every day."

Speaking to Paul Anthony backstage in Nottingham back in May, Maiden founder and chief songwriter Steve Harris confirmed that after 42 years he won’t be hanging his bass up any time soon.

“I think we’re all in pretty good shape so we’ll do it as long as we can really,” Steve told Paul.

He also told Kerrang!: “I don’t like the (retirement) word. I don’t like the sound. It’s not good. Retirement reminds me of pottering around in the garden, and I’ve never enjoyed doing that."

Iron Maiden's long-time manager Rod Smallwood also reiterated to Paul Anthony, aboard Iron Maiden's Bus of Souls, that "I'm pretty sure there'll be another album" and that when it comes to retirement "we're gonna have to drag them off stage!"

Iron Maiden’s North American tour with Ghost continues throughout next month, wrapping up with two nights at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd July.

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