OK, you're right—referring to my original post, I think even about the current situation. Despite the great respect from the army of fans and legions of musicians, undisputed commercial success, and absolutely legendary status as one of the biggest live bands ever, Irons aren't so praised by the music industry as Sabbath. The situation with RnRHoF and nominations for the most recognizable awards is one example among many others. Rod could do something to change that for good.
Iron Maiden's management: What went wrong?
- Thread starter Mosh
- Start date
Exactly. I know that's right. We can say he could/should do better for Maiden in terms of media attention. Rod has always been a stingy man, but sometimes you should take a risk, spend more money, invest in a popularity contest if you know what I mean.
Christopher Baines
Educated Fool
I dont even think its anything to do with being more commercial or popular, i just think Rod has been out of touch with the music business and what the fans want for years. I think Maiden are as big and as good as they are DESPITE of Rod.
Black Bart
Ancient Mariner
Well, Fear of the Dark some kind of half-assed attempt at a Black Album in terms of "going more mainstream". The difference is that the guys in Metallica did listen to the producer.
Exactly, the loyality of fans made Maiden successful, not Rod which probably doesn't care that much about commercial success. I suppose even if at some point of their career the audience lost interest in Maiden he wouldn't be surprised or sad. There's some kind of mistery why the band didn't find someone better, more connected and operative in the past. Maybe I'm wrong but Smallwood isn't a kind of person I would trust, after whole decades he still thinks just how to cut the costs and save, instead how to earn more and promote Iron Maiden among the new generation of fans.
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Flaming Blimp Crash
Ancient Mariner
I don't know, at the end of the day, I think for a band that made 14-minute songs about dead birds sinking boats and 18-minute songs about blimp crashes to be out there selling out arenas and stadiums globally they probably about hit their ceiling.
Rush was a more radio-friendly band and I'd say Maiden sales-wise was on par with them in the states without having that sort of backing in the media.
Rush was a more radio-friendly band and I'd say Maiden sales-wise was on par with them in the states without having that sort of backing in the media.
Oh no, Rush has always been bigger in States, not in the other regions but in the States for sure. Generally, Maiden’s achievements are result of fans loyality and band's musical vision, Rod even couldn't do anything to make them more acclaimed by music industry.
Christopher Baines
Educated Fool
Tbh i even remember thinking at the time 20yrs ago what an old fuddy duddy Rod sounded on the early days DVD. It was quite embaressing. All that said its Steves band, hes always done what he thinks is right and hes done okay hasnt he lol. Personal id have done a few things a bit differently over the past 20yrs but its not my band.
Flaming Blimp Crash
Ancient Mariner
Rush's peak was higher in the states and they were able to sustain success longer without falling in a hole in the 90s like Maiden. But, just a glance comparing both, it looks like after the reunion era got rolling for Maiden they were both about the same in terms of albums selling and their respective chart positions. Were also drawing about the same out on the road.
In mentioned aspect - you are right. I'm wonder why Iron Maiden felt so hard in the States back in the 90s, why did American fans abandon the band? Was it just the result of trend shifting process? Irons were always out of trends, so that situation shouldn't affect them that much. Weird ...
Flaming Blimp Crash
Ancient Mariner
I'm not a Rush fan, so I can't speak as to why Rush was able to still do seemingly well through the 90s, but Maiden's changes to their sound as well as the loss of their popular frontman (and subsequent replacement with someone who could never [not knocking you, Blaze, sorry!] fill those shoes) didn't help matters.
CA Bryers
Ancient Mariner
The casual fans followed the trend of grunge, and having lived through that era as a fan in the US, it wasn't all that cool to be a Maiden fan during that time. The press was particularly brutal in making any metal band that wasn't changing with the times uncool, both in America and the UK. Maiden stood out as a VERY traditional metal band, which made them a target. Yet, by the time grunge was dying out after a few years and metal started a resurgence with several reunions going on, oh look, here comes the music press kissing their asses again. Go figure.