At a recent Slowhands Rock Talk Show, Dennis Stratton shared his thoughts on Iron Maiden’s recent stadium performance in London. The former guitarist attended their shows in both Finland and London and was impressed. “The show at the London Stadium blew me away. The sound was unbelievable. I’ve been to many Doningtons, Reading festivals, and concerts at the O2, but for a metal band, no one has ever had a sound like that,” Stratton said.
Despite leaving the band due to creative differences, Stratton has kept a good relationship with Iron Maiden. He often chats with bassist Steve Harris, mostly about their shared support for West Ham football. “I talk to Steve all the time. He’s a West Ham supporter, and it’s been a life full of misery,” he joked.
Stratton also praised Iron Maiden’s new drummer, Simon Dawson. “Simon is doing a fantastic job. I love Simon. I saw the show with the crazy Finns,” he added.
Back in 1980, Stratton contributed to Iron Maiden’s first album, adding rich guitar harmonies alongside Dave Murray. His time with the band ended after the Kiss tour that same year due to musical differences and management issues. At the time, there were concerns about touring with lead singer Paul Di’Anno, whose wild stage antics and heavy drinking worried Stratton.
Now, after four decades, it seems time has healed old wounds. Stratton’s positive comments about recent shows suggest that he has mended fences with his former bandmates. Fans can appreciate the ongoing connection between Stratton and Iron Maiden, proving that music can bring people back together.
