Iron Maiden's management: What went wrong?

[Flaming Blimp Crash]

And they're at a really low point right now, especially in Europe.

For sure. The boom was never going to last. Although I do remember seeing pictures of their tour with Def Leppard in UK stadiums where less than half of the place was full.

 

[Prowler]

For sure. The boom was never going to last. Although I do remember seeing pictures of their tour with Def Leppard in UK stadiums where less than half of the place was full.

I think them playing playback didn't help or the way they treated Mick Mars.

 

[Nomadd]

Exactly! The RnRHOF is a pathetic community based on cash flow, bribes and personal preferences of the board. Being induced there is not an honour, it is being part of a self-serving show. If Rod really told them to fuck off, then he has my respect. Just like Axl, who did not give a fuck and did not attend when is band got induced. Thats not bad management, thats balls!

Exactly, just look at this year inductees. On the other hand, Rod's opinion and boycott are resonable but what he could offer the band instead of that?

 

[Cat Milk Supreme]

what he could offer the band instead of that?

He could have helped steer them through 50yrs of delicious success in a notoriously fickle imdustry. Imagine if he did that...

Also, I love how the irony of the OP has been utterly missed by many. Still it's resulted in some interesting chat.

 

[ShadowOfTheGods]

but what he could offer the band instead of that?

Why does he have to offer anything?

 

[Nomadd]

Why does he have to offer anything?

He's manager, he should care about band's reputation, legacy, and help to built the real legend. Rod did a lot, but some things he could do better.

 

[ShadowOfTheGods]

He's manager, he should care about band's reputation, legacy, and help to built the real legend. Rod did a lot, but some things he could do better.

He's the manager, he booked a tour, he sold a milion tickets.
Work is done.

 

[Nomadd]

He's the manager, he booked a tour, he sold a milion tickets.
Work is done.

Not just booking, he's responsible for the band's relations with the media, show business, promotion, and many aspects.

 

[Belshazzar]

There is not a single point in history, not a single diversion, not one alternate time line, where Maiden "should" have deliberately made themselves more accessible, dumbed down, or radio friendly.

This has to be a troll post - it has to be. Rod Smallwood mismanaged the band by not pushing them to be more mainstream? Come on! You really wanted Maiden to release a "Black" album, or a Turbo Lover? You want Bruce up there duetting with Lady Gaga? You want homage paid to Maiden by Avril Lavigne or Snoop fucking Dogg? To have albums artificially tightened and over produced to hell by Bob Rock or Andy bloody Sneap? All in the name of selling a few records to some idiots in America who'll buy anything with a mindless hook or easy lyrical content?

I think you're listening to the wrong band, mate. Go back to your Linkin Park or other easy to digest, mindless earworm pap.

 

[ShadowOfTheGods]

Not just booking, he's responsible for the band's relations with the media, show business, promotion, and many aspects.

And he's doing a good job. End of the story.

 

[Nomadd]

There is not a single point in history, not a single diversion, not one alternate time line, where Maiden "should" have deliberately made themselves more accessible, dumbed down, or radio friendly.

This has to be a troll post - it has to be. Rod Smallwood mismanaged the band by not pushing them to be more mainstream? Come on! You really wanted Maiden to release a "Black" album, or a Turbo Lover? You want Bruce up there duetting with Lady Gaga? You want homage paid to Maiden by Avril Lavigne or Snoop fucking Dogg? To have albums artificially tightened and over produced to hell by Bob Rock or Andy bloody Sneap? All in the name of selling a few records to some idiots in America who'll buy anything with a mindless hook or easy lyrical content?

I think you're listening to the wrong band, mate. Go back to your Linkin Park or other easy to digest, mindless earworm pap.

No, I'm definitely not about and understand this point of view.

 

[Cat Milk Supreme]

You want homage paid to Maiden by Avril Lavigne or Snoop fucking Dogg?

I hope this isn't a diss of the Motherfuckin D-O-Double-G. West Side 4 Life yo.

 

[Starblind]

I don't quite understand this title, Rod Smallwood has been a great manager throughout the band's history. I could only wish the video of Somewhere tour and another little thing: he could have controlled Blaze's image during Virtual. It was very awkward for Blaze to always wear worn-out black jeans (the crotch part of the jeans looks terrible in all the concerts I watched) and a backwards hat. But probably Rod wanted Blaze to go even at that time and didn't care for such details...

 

[Helmuth Von Moltke]

Let’s be real—the core issue with Iron Maiden’s ups and downs over the years falls on Rod Smallwood. His mismanagement, especially during the early ‘90s, nearly wrecked the band. Bruce’s departure? That wasn’t a band decision—it was Smallwood failing to manage the situation and causing a massive identity crisis. When Bruce left, Maiden lost their spark, and Smallwood didn’t do enough to smooth the transition. Blaze was never going to fill those shoes, and it showed.

Even after they got back on track, Smallwood’s inability to adapt the band to changing times kept them stuck in a rut. While other bands were evolving, Maiden was playing catch-up, stuck in the same old formula. Smallwood’s short-sighted approach kept them from reaching their full potential. They’re legends, sure, but they could’ve been even bigger with better management.

What you are asking of Rod was to take on Steve in 1992. To lobby Steve on Bruce's behalf, voicing Bruce's complaints.

Are you serious? You are correct to point out Rod didn't impose himself on the situation and deferred to Steve in 1992/3.

But you ignore the fact that Rod's deference to Steve's musical vision, rightly or wrongly, is the basis of their partnership since 1979.

Even if Bruce had stayed in 1993, Maiden would have sunk badly from the mid-90s onwards, potentially damaging them in very different ways (eg. Bruce leaves in 1999 or 2000, instead, after 5 years of falling sales and building frustration).

 

[Helmuth Von Moltke]

With a proper management team behind them they could have really increased popularity in the 90s.

???

Total conterfactual nonsense. I'm sorry, but do you remember the 90s? There is nothing anybody could have done with the Maiden brand, even with Bruce still in it, to push Maiden commercially in the USA and the UK for sure by 1995ish.

Niche gains in other markets maybe, but in their home (UK) and the biggest market in the world (USA), Maiden were always going to be in very big trouble as the 90s trundled on.

Remember, the very early 90s sill had an '80's feel' to them in terms of pop culture and rock music, and it took a few years into the 90s to kill of all the big beasts of the 80s. Except those that could make major fashion reinventions for the 90s, like Bon Jovi, Metallica, U2...

Maiden was just too 'dungeons & dragons' to really thrive in the 90s. There's no management vision that could have cracked that.

 

[Nomadd]

???

Total conterfactual nonsense. I'm sorry, but do you remember the 90s? There is nothing anybody could have done with the Maiden brand, even with Bruce still in it, to push Maiden commercially in the USA and the UK for sure by 1995ish.

Niche gains in other markets maybe, but in their home (UK) and the biggest market in the world (USA), Maiden were always going to be in very big trouble as the 90s trundled on.

Remember, the very early 90s sill had an '80's feel' to them in terms of pop culture and rock music, and it took a few years into the 90s to kill of all the big beasts of the 80s. Except those that could make major fashion reinventions for the 90s, like Bon Jovi, Metallica, U2...

Maiden was just too 'dungeons & dragons' to really thrive in the 90s. There's no management vision that could have cracked that.

I agree with you and perfectly remember the 90s. One thing to blame Rod for is not to do enought to put a pressure on mainstream media to promote the band and gain them more respect and attention, even in the UK. This band deserves that and be same awarded and praised by music industry as (for example) Black Sabbath. Rod didn't do much to achieve this result. Maybe because he hasn't the proper relations with decidents, music journalusts, etc.

 

[Belshazzar]

I'm going to hit you all with a fact now, that you'll just have to believe because I don't have source to site

Before Ozzy's repulsive wife signed on to create that godawful "reality" TV show about their lives, Maiden had sold more albums than Black Sabbath and Ozzy solo combined. And this was before their second wind in the new millennium.

 

[Nomadd]

I'm going to hit you all with a fact now, that you'll just have to believe because I don't have source to site

Before Ozzy's repulsive wife signed on to create that godawful "reality" TV show about their lives, Maiden had sold more albums than Black Sabbath and Ozzy solo combined. And this was before their second wind in the new millennium.

I know all about you're right, but still BS and Ozzy are more praised by the music industry 'cos their management(s) cares a lot about.

 

[ShadowOfTheGods]

This band deserves that and be same awarded and praised by music industry as (for example) Black Sabbath.

Maiden sells more albums and tickets than Sabbath.
Maiden is more popular than Sabbath.
Maiden wins.
Rod wins.

End of the story.

 

[Helmuth Von Moltke]

I agree with you and perfectly remember the 90s. One thing to blame Rod for is not to do enought to put a pressure on mainstream media to promote the band and gain them more respect and attention, even in the UK. This band deserves that and be same awarded and praised by music industry as (for example) Black Sabbath. Rod didn't do much to achieve this result. Maybe because he hasn't the proper relations with decidents, music journalusts, etc.

I remember the Black Sabbath revival around 1997, but they had three things going for them that Maiden didn't at that time

1) Ozzy just came back to Sabbath and was becoming a reality / chat show star

2) the youthful 90s bands were wanking themselves silly with Sabbath worship (from Soundgarden to Pantera to even cooler bands)

3) Sabbath were by then 3 decades away from their origins and were definitely a legacy band in their 50s

By comparison, Maiden didn't have Bruce, weren't yet being worshipped openly by trendy metal/rock bands, and were only late 30s in their ages. I'd argue that Maiden have reaped the 'legacy band' respect that is rightly due to them around the same stage Sabbath were in the 1990s. Ten/fifteen years later of course, esp. when the 80s became cool and retro again.