Janick's role in post-reunion Maiden

Maybe a controversial statement here, but I think Janick is a redundant member of Iron Maiden. Maiden just don't need 3 guitarists and as a player he is simply not as good as Adrian and/or Dave.
He is a much better, productive and consistent songwriter than Dave though. No, Maiden don’t need three guitarists, but having three guitarists enables more options both live and in the studio. Besides, his style contrasts Dave and H well - aggressive and chaotic.
 
He is a much better, productive and consistent songwriter than Dave though. No, Maiden don’t need three guitarists, but having three guitarists enables more options both live and in the studio.

Who decided that he should stay in the band? Bruce or Steve?
 
Who decided that he should stay in the band? Bruce or Steve?

"I think Janick was a little nervous to begin with, though - not once the decision was made but while it was being made - but I said, 'Look, this is not an audition, absolutely no way.' I told Janick he was a really important part of Maiden now and, if it means it's not working, that he was the one who stays.
By the time we actually got on a stage together, though, we'd written some songs, done interviews, and it just felt totally natural."
- Steve quoted on page 204, 3rd edition, Run to the Hills biography. Steve never intended to force Janick out of the band. At first, he even thought that they would look for a completely new singer and not bring Bruce back, when Blaze struggled on tour.
 
having three guitarists enables more options both live and in the studio.
Yes, but in a live setting instead of having one person play rhythm while the other two play the harmonies, they often add an extra octave harmony and still leave the rhythm playing out. I mean, WTF?
 
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Maybe a controversial statement here, but I think Janick is a redundant member of Iron Maiden. Maiden just don't need 3 guitarists and as a player he is simply not as good as Adrian and/or Dave.
Dave's solos are mostly better but Janick is a better songwriter than Dave.

Anyway keeping Janick was a brilliant move. No reason for him to go, I love the the three guitarists.
 
- Steve quoted on page 204, 3rd edition, Run to the Hills biography. Steve never intended to force Janick out of the band. At first, he even thought that they would look for a completely new singer and not bring Bruce back, when Blaze struggled on tour.
I think I have read another account of this where Jan offered to leave for the returning Adrian
 
Great, we're having the "why is Janick still in Maiden" discussion for the billionth time in thirty-plus years. :yawn:

Yes, but in a live setting instead of having one person play rhythm while the other two play the harmonies, they often add an extra octave harmony and still leave the rhythm playing out. I mean, WTF?

A band known for their harmony lines chooses to add a third harmony line live. Wild.
 
A band known for their harmony lines chooses to add a third harmony line live. Wild.
When you have to drop the rhythm playing to play the harmonies live, the bottom of the song falls out during that part. You put up with it in a two-guitar band because conveying the harmony is more important in that section, but once you have a three-guitar band that compromise is no longer necessary. But instead of fixing that issue when given the opportunity, they just perpetuate it. Seems incredibly silly to me.
 
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