Bruce Dickinson has done a lot in his 67 years-fronting one of the most legendary heavy metal bands of all time, piloting jumbo jets, writing books, fencing at a competitive level, even beating cancer. Now, the Iron Maiden singer is adding something very different to the list: singing the U.S. national anthem at an NFL game.
In a recent interview with soprano Elizabeth Zharoff, Dickinson revealed he’ll take the mic before a Pittsburgh Steelers home game this season. While he didn’t name the exact date, rumors point to this Sunday’s home opener against the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium. And here’s the kicker-he’s planning to sing it completely a cappella.
“They’ve asked me to do this. I’m going to do it a cappella and stuff, and as long as you start at the right place, you’re good to go,” Dickinson said.
Fans Are Fired Up
The news lit up social media, where Steelers fans and Maiden loyalists shared their excitement. One fan joked, “Hell yeah! Then break into ‘2 Minutes to Midnight!'” Another wrote: “This makes me indescribably thrilled.”
The connection isn’t lost on anyone either. Pittsburgh, the “Steel City,” now gets Iron Maiden’s frontman as its voice for the anthem-a fitting crossover between heavy metal and hard-nosed football.
Dickinson joined Iron Maiden in 1981 and helped define the band’s classic era, stepping away in the ’90s before returning in 1999. He’s still on the road with them today, while also launching a 2025 North American solo tour.
Away from the stage, Dickinson is a licensed pilot who once flew Iron Maiden’s Boeing 747,“Ed Force One”. He’s also fenced at European veteran competitions, written a bestselling memoir, and spoken openly about surviving tongue cancer before returning to headline arenas.
A Different Kind of Stadium Anthem
NFL games are no stranger to big voices and big names, but this one feels different. The league has showcased pop stars, country icons, and military bands, yet rarely does a British heavy metal legend step up to sing The Star-Spangled Banner.
If the speculation holds true, Sunday’s Steelers-Seahawks showdown could feature one of the most unexpected and memorable anthems in NFL history.
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