If you are a true metal fan then there is no way you are not familiar with the name Bruce Dickinson. Well, even if you don’t know by any chance, he is an English musician and he is popular as the lead singer or vocalist of the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. He joined the band in 1981 and he along with the band has received many honorable awards including Grammy.
After their 1992, After the Fear of the Dark Tour Dickinson decided to leave the group to focus on his solo music career. He enjoyed his solo career for several years, however, in 1999, seven years after he left the band, he rejoined them and he has been with the band ever since.
Well, those who know Dickinson also know that he had a feud with fellow English heavy metal band Judas Priest’s lead vocalist Rob Halford. Well, if we are to talk about Halford then he is also a legendary metal singer who joined Judas Priest in 1973. And just like Dickinson, a few years after joining the band he quit, and the reason why he quit the band is said to be “miscommunication.” However, he later got back to the band and is an active member of the band.
And today’s topic is Dickinson’s criticism of Halford. In an interview, Dickinson criticized Halford and called him ludicrous. So why did he say it? what is the reason behind their feud? and what did Halford say about the criticism?
Why did Bruce Dickinson call Rob Halford Ludicrous?
Well, back in 2014, Dickinson was in an interview with The Guardian where he commented about singers using teleprompters. He said, “I never realized that people were using autocues, what the f*ck is that all about? People pay good money and you can’t even remember the sodding words.”
He continued, “The daftest one I ever saw was [JUDAS PRIEST‘s] ‘Breaking The Law’. It’s on the f*cking autocue,” Bruce continued. “‘Breaking the law, breaking the law/Breaking the law, breaking the law/Breaking the law, breaking the law/Breaking the law’ — guess what? — ‘breaking the law.’ It’s ludicrous.”
Well as we can see here, Dickinson did not really use Halford’s name but he talked about Breaking The Law, which is a song from Judas Priest’s 1980 album British Steel. So we can understand that Dickinson indeed talked about none other than Halford.
So how did Halford respond to Dickinson’s criticism? well, after a few weeks Halford was asked during his chat with AndrewHaug.com if he had something to say about Dickinson’s comment. He responded to Dickinson’s comment really wisely.
Rob Halford’s response to Dickinson’s comment
As mentioned Halford was asked about Dickinson’s comment and he responded to his comment. It was kind of surprising for the fans because instead of criticizing Dickinson back, Halford said that he really loves him and he is a really good friend. He continued to honor him and said that he is a really good singer.
He said, “Well, the first thing I’ll say about that is Bruce Dickinson is a good mate of mine; I love him to death,” Rob said. “I think he’s an incredible singer, he’s a great showman, he’s in a wonderful band, IRON MAIDEN, who are one of the biggest metal bands in the world. And as far as what people say about each other, I don’t think it really means that much, to be quite honest.”
He further said, “We say whatever we say, depending on the day and the emotion that we’re at. I know Bruce‘s heart is in the right place, and he just said what he said, and that’s all there is to it to comment, in that respect.”
It seems that Halford does not have any hard feelings even after Dickinson criticized him and in that sense, they did not have a beef or feud at all. And the two of them have even performed together well that was before Dickinson’s comment but I think it still counts. However, it did not end there, six years after his criticism, Dickinson once again criticized Halford. Here is what he said,
Bruce Dickinson criticized Rob Halford again
Back in March 2020, Dickinson again brought back the topic and said that he does not use autocue like many other singers. And he again brought the example of Judas Priest’s song Breaking The Law six years after his first criticism. Many believe that he has something against Halford however, we don’t know that for sure, and Dickinson is known to speak his mind but he has not said anything other than the use of autocue.
Well, for the second time Dickinson brought back the topic and said, “I don’t use an autocue on stage. A lot of singers now, they just have the words there: ‘Breaking the law, breaking the law, breaking the law, breaking the law, breaking the law, breaking the law, breaking the law.’ Breaking the what? ‘Breaking the law. Breaking the law.”
There is no response from Rob Halford however, he might still think of Dickinson as his good friend. Although he criticized him for using autocue, he has not questioned his talent. Halford seems to be a wise and humble person because not everyone can stay silent after getting criticized not only once but twice.
He showed his humbleness and wiseness already and even this time he did not give a response which shows his wiseness because as they say silence is sometimes the best answer. And even we as fans don’t want to see them beefing or having a feud. Instead, we want them to get together and collaborate just like they did back when Dickinson rejoined his band, Iron Maiden. Let’s just hope that Dickinson does not criticize Halford anymore than this.
