He originally planned to become a drummer, quipping: "I want to be Ian Pace's left foot." He once stole congas from his school to practice. As soon as he learned of his singing abilities (about 1976), he joined the band Styx, who were named after the river of Hell according to Greek mythology (This was not the same Styx that was popular in America).
Bruce was singing for the band Samson before he joined Iron Maiden, replacing former lead vocalist Paul Di'Anno in 1981. He left the band in 1993 to pursue a solo career (as well as his interest in flying), but rejoined in 1999 and released the albums Brave New World and Dance of Death.
Maiden fans nicknamed him "The air-raid siren" for his distinct, powerful vocals, a sharp contract to the raspy tones of Di'Anno (which, ironically, he experimented with in the late '80s - early '90s). He is a licensed pilot and included much flight-related terminology into his lyrics (see: "Tailgunner," "Back In The Village"). He eventually set up a record label called Air Raid Label.
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