Iron Maiden fans in London copped a surprise on Saturday night when Bruce Dickinson joined Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen onstage for a live run of Maiden classic ‘Wasted Years’.
The moment went down at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Saturday night (February 21st), right at the tail end of Smith/Kotzen’s main set, after tearing through cuts from their two studio albums, 2021’s self-titled debut and 2025’s Black Light/White Noise, the trio launched into the 1986 anthem that’s soundtracked more long haul flights and tour bus reflections than most bands could dream of.
Watching Dickinson step back into that chorus alongside Smith felt less like a cameo and more like muscle memory kicking in.
A Maiden Classic, Rewired
Smith and Kotzen formed their side-project in the late 2010s after connecting in Los Angeles and bonding over a shared love of British rock, Kotzen has long been open about his fandom, previously admitting: “My first rock concert was Iron Maiden. Number Of The Beast, Piece Of Mind, backtracking to Killers… I was a massive fan.” (per Loudersound).
Seeing him trade vocals and riffs on ‘Wasted Years’ with the man who made it a global staple isn’t subtle fan service, it’s full circle.
Perfect Timing For A Massive Year
The surprise appearance lands as Maiden’s Run For Your Lives world tour continues its 50th anniversary victory lap, the band recently expanded their UK plans with the announcement of Eddfest at Knebworth, a two day celebration capped by a career spanning headline set.
This momentum feeds directly into mounting expectations of an Iron Maiden 2026 Australian stadium tour, as reported yesterday, multiple sources indicate an announcement is imminent, with Sydney’s Allianz Stadium expected to feature on the routing.
If Dickinson is popping up for ‘Wasted Years’ between side project shows, it’s a safe bet the engine is well and truly running.
Maiden’s European dates resume in May, before the tour pushes into the Americas, with a late November to early December window looming, Australia looks primed to host one of the final legs of this anniversary run.
Stay tuned, if the London cameo proved anything, it’s that Maiden aren’t coasting into 50, they’re still swinging.
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