Music

Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson has cancer

by Tyler Munro

Bruce Dickinson is an immortal in metal; since joining Iron Maiden in 1981 he’s solidified himself as one of the genre’s most important, and recognizable voices, and he’s spent almost all of the last 34 years on stage, running from end to end and belting out his trademark bellow for fans around the world.

At 56, he’s shown no signs of slowing down, which makes the revelation that he’s fighting tongue cancer all the more difficult to take.

Revealed earlier on the band’s official website, a statement explained that Dickinson was at his doctor’s for a routine check-up this holiday season when they found a tumour resting on the back of his tongue. But there’s good news here — yesterday he completed seven weeks of chemotherapy and radiology and while it’s still early, the prognosis looks good moving forward.

According to his site, Dickinson is expected to make a full recovery and could be back to his old self as soon as May.

“In the meantime we would ask for your patience, understanding and respect for Bruce and his family’s privacy until we update everyone by the end of May,” concludes the statement. “Bruce is doing very well considering the circumstances and the whole team are very positive.”

Get better, Bruce. Metal needs you.