Adrian Smith and Janick Gers Interview

Adrian and Janick in a terrific interview conducted by Tommy Vance just prior to the Brixton Clive Aid gigs. Thanks again to Martin for the raw material. All copyrighted material has been removed and the audio sync has been repaired. The watermark only appears for a few seconds at the beginning and end as I was experimenting with a new converter.

[@jwood5150]

Can't stand the Janick haters, he's such a nice guy and a great musician

[@aparecidacida157]

I don't hate Janick, he seems to be a really great guy indeed, but I don't like his guitar playing - simple like that.

[@aparecidacida157]

@T D The same feeling regarding Clive Burr and Nicko McBrain; Nicko is a good drummer, but Clive was a force of nature.

[@toni29]

@@aparecidacida157 yeah because you are so good at playing guitar,,no,,you are an expert,,stfu moron... he plays with iron maiden and he is a bad guitarist? ..wtf are you talking about.. just shut up..keyboard expert

[@toni29]

@@aparecidacida157 stfu keyboard expert...you are irrelevant

[@aparecidacida157]

@@toni29 Please Mr. Polite, allow me to ask you a simple question... Do you know how to read? Do you???? So tell me where and when I said that Janick is a bad guitar player?????? I don't like his style of playing, that's all I've said about him - this is MY opinion! Can you understand this or do I have to draw it for you???????????

[@itsthewanderingfool]

Both Janick and Adrian are so humble and down-to-earth. They’re both so classy.

[@aless3676]

that's why they work together so effortlessly. Without a similar quality we wouldn't have Iron Maiden back together and as they are today

[@biorythmicshifter]

Janick has paid his dues and proved his worth. Personally, I love his frenetic on the edge soloing style. It adds a great energy to the music. Dave to me is the patriarch, his guitar is the foundation guitar sound of Maiden. His soloing style seems to be a blend of the more composed style of Adrian with that off the cuff flurry of notes improvisational vibe Janick has. I was just admiring his solo on 22 Acacia Avenue last night. It sent chills throughout my body to the core of my soul, a gorgeous solo. Adrian has a style where every note is intentional and part of the song, extremely melodic and memorable. His thoughtful approach is a wonderful balance to the other guys. You can hear in the music just like you can see it in these interviews, these guys work well together. No ego bullshit, just about making great music and doing your part. Don’t get me started on the genius of Steve and Nicko. I fucking love this band…

[@SuperWherewolf]

Completely agree

[@grantrobinson4537]

Love how grounded the maiden guys are. You'd never believe they were in on of the biggest metal band of all time.

[@kakolykia]

Biggest in Brasil.

[@Steven_H_Blackmore]

I agree. I love Janick Gers. He has written some great songs too including Dance of Death.

[@j_freed]

The Legacy. Montségur. Out of the Silent Planet. Dream Of Mirrors. Be Quick Or Be Dead. The Alchemist. The Talisman. The Book of Souls. 10 of your songs with Maiden are that solid, you HAVE a legacy. (And royalties well-earned.)

[@prestige35able]

One of my favorites lately!

[@gregorykalla2565]

Great song!!! Worked a lot of midshifts back in the day in the air traffic oceanic control room with my stack of Iron Maiden CD’s. We didn’t use radios for oceanic, we did a form of texting and a third party provider did the HF radio for long range. Iron Maiden mid-shifts were bad assness!!!

[@timosha21]

Janick: Dream of Mirrors, Dance of Death, Talisman! SOME KICK ASS SONGS!!!

[@t4sos1234]

+Book of Souls, Ghost of the Navigator

[@robmoon3061]

The book of souls along with harris! Genius player

[@tyreekmurillo4524]

AND the legacy

[@stephenclose9996]

If you knew Jan you would like him, he's a top man and a great musician. I roadied for White Spirit 40 years ago and we all used to sleep in a big blue van usually on the M1 services, when they signed with MCA they were paid £15 a week, not a lot even in 1980. He is well suited to Maiden although heavy metal was not his first choice, 1970s rock music was his forte. Having 3 guitarists is not a bad idea when they are all over 60, sooner or later one will fall off the perch and they are all capable of covering for each other.

[@terryharrison5185]

I was a white spirit roadie even before you mate... Original band members where the white spirit founders... Colin Thompson and Trevor Andrews and Crash... Janick Gers and Roger Carey followed and Malcolm Pearson came later...

[@IronDeth95]

R.I.P Clive

[@pouckis90]

poser metalheads, that cant get over the fact that it was actually Adrian's opinion to let Janick in the band too after his return with Bruce.

[@jamesbailey2377]

Fuckin’-A right. Maiden is a family and Adrian’s feelings (and the rest of the band as well, quite notably) about Janick staying is 100% what Iron Maiden’s all about. They made their bones doing what THEY wanted to do. Janick and H being together is just another example of it.

[@staciedziedzic9150]

I love this band! I love how all the members just have so much talent and they are awesome all of them!

[@mikez3031]

Clive Burr is my all time favorite drummer! He’s just amazing. RIP

[@sjaxemaster11]

Mike Z he was better than Nicko in my opinion. Not to take anything away from Nicko.

[@WhoDaF0ok1sThatGuy]

Nicko is definitely my favorite but objectively, Clive is equal to Nicko!

[@rustykuntz94]

Somewhere in Time was Adrian’s coming out party. He wrote IMO 3 of the best tracks on the album, Stranger, Wasted Years & Sea of Madness.

[@sjaxemaster11]

Rusty Kuntz definitely. The other songs are cool but Adrian’s are the best for sure

[@latentsea]

Never lnrw that, I thought he liked chicks. But I’m not judging great guitarist...

[@drifter23337]

@@latentsea I think they just mean it was him coming into his own as a songwriter. That would be the better term. I'm pretty sure he's married and has a daughter. Then again, you never know....

[@davidoriordan1393]

latentsea He’s married with 3 children. He’s straight

[@tyreekmurillo4524]

agreed it’s a shame bruce didn’t care for the album

[@roentgen571]

He's been in the band for 20+ years now...I think he can be considered as much a member as anyone else. If the other guys are happy with him, that's good enough for me.

[@davidrichter9164]

Exactly. If Janick is as crappy as the haters say he is, Steve wouldn't put up with it.

[@zakhriskin1602]

30+ years now haha! I can't believe this is a 10 year old comment

[@mineiro3469]

34 years now 😂😂😂

[@thecorpse70]

tommy vance i miss his voice remember that great voice pumping out of my headphones every friday night

[@fireinthepentagram]

Cool guys, Adrian looks very down to earth and Gers has a strong personality.

[@kjemradio]

RIP Clive Burr

[@8755drb]

I'm glad the mighty Iron Maiden chose to be a three guitarist outfit. Janick Gers has a strong personality, great riffs, and is a great guitarist. Adrian Smith is a chill guy, excellent musical composer, and has some great solos. Dave Murray seems like the nicest person in the band. Very down to earth, and perhaps the best overall guitarist in the band.

[@martinemouth-breaker1939]

same. I love the texture it brings and boundaries they push, and that's what really caused me to want to play metal

[@franciscomartingutierrez951]

From a technical perspective Smith smokes Gers and Murray, and that's no offense to them... Gers is a great performer and an extremely nice guy, Murray is classic and Maiden would be done without him or Harris, also I must add that Murray plays more "sing'a'long" solos so that's why he's more recognizable... all in all the three of them has something to add to the band so that's great ;)

[@aburrows2008]

Steve Harris always wanted 3 guitarist's. Bruce says that in his book

[@benjaminwhite3585]

I love what Gers said in the Rock In Rio DVD about the 3 guitars. One can play an open chord kinda crash, one can do staccato rhythm (with Steve's bass), and one can play a melody. I think on Dance of Death, Steve and the 3 guitarists did an amazing job of having each guitarist playing a different part, then coming together for an incredible 3 guitar melody/harmony, like in No More Lies.

[@emankcin1701]

Janick is the best live performer Adrian is the best songwriter Dave is the best soloist

[@kyerrrr]

Just saw Maiden a month ago.. Janeck preforms like a 16 year old kid the way he jumps around .. best stage presence ive ever witnessed. so fuckin cool

[@PeaceDweller]

RIP Tommy Vance. Used to tune in as a teenager every Friday night on VH1 from 1998 to 2002. Special years to be a metal fan!

[@jamieeades2522]

That was my teenage years Friday night rock show Tommy's voice was amazing through the hi fi

[@brendankb]

I bumped into Janick in Kingston On Thames Woolworths back in 92/93. He was such a lovely chap!

[@jamiemoll4128]

Why does everyone hate Janick so much? The guy can play circles around the the other two. He's just an awesome guy.

[@GreenEvoker]

I think they are all great guitarists Jannick can play really fast whilst keeping that technicality Dave can play really smooth Adrian is plays from the heart

[@jesusguerra1093]

man what a pleasure hear Janick talking, and how he and the band cares about the audience, Mr. Gers is probably the best thing that has happened to maiden, his wild spirit, energy, the great songs he have wrote for Iron Maiden since he joined, probably the best ones out of the late Maiden catalog, terrific and funny guy, I still don't understand so much hate towards him when he is clearly the spirit that kept Maiden battling on and alive thru the hard times in the 90's, and like I said the songs he has wrote are something else. dance of death, be quick or be death, the talisman, book of souls, the alchemist, lord of the flies, ghost of navigator and the ones he has co-wrote with steve, man the list goes on and on.

[@allconsuminghat-]

the problem is is solos haha. Especially in place of Adrian's ones. I agree The Talisman and Dance of Death are great songs.

[@SuperWherewolf]

Mr Janick the greatest guitarrist of all time, its so wild and play with precision, Adrián play with mind and thecknique it's amazing, and dave, he's smartest guy, and full of humildity

[@wahwahgaboor]

I find his songs a tad repetitive and the same.. Steve Harris is the best thing that happened to Iron Maiden

[@robertgoolsby7195]

God I love Adrian Smith

[@coreytaylorslefttoe5699]

God I don't

[@Meeshrick]

jonathandavisleftnostril 666 here's a fun fact...Adrian is the best guitarist and song writer of the 3. If you dislike Adrian you aren't a true Maiden fan

[@itsthewanderingfool]

Janick has the most soothing voice, I could listen to him talk all day. 😍

[@therideroftheli]

You hardly ever see these two standing close to each other on stage, I started thinking there might be some bad feelings between them. Now seeing this video made me happy. That in fact is the story of how I got here... Great upload man.

[@translucent_nick]

I got an old Janick Gers interview on Metal Hammer magazine from 1990, and he said that "we are friends, and even we played football together the night before Adrian leave the band" and he said that he tried to tell Adrian to not leave Maiden. Remember that in 1990 Janick played on Bruce's solo album and all those guys knew each other. Plus you may remember the "Flight 666" movie, and the point where Adrian is talking about Janick.

[@davidprice7162]

RIP Clive. The most rock and roll drummer they ever had.

[@overkill66]

I think Janick is great, the only thing i don't like about him is when he plays Adrian's solos.

[@tyreekmurillo4524]

sameeee

[@cynthiamutiara844]

couldn't agree more

[@allconsuminghat-]

Or more to the point he doesn't play Adrian's solos :P

[@scottblankenship650]

I got admit it’s awesome when Janick and H play part of Adrians solo together live now:) I think they do that on the trooper and I love it.

[@rjonboy7608]

I thought so at first, but then I realized we already heard those solos many times. Now Janick tried his own solo and it is good, too. I can listen to the older ones anytime I want.

[@rjonboy7608]

I really enjoyed this video. I have come to enjoy the new lineup with Bruce and Adrian back with Janick as much as I enjoy watching the older stuff. Janick is a true addition to the band. Their new material is as high quality as the older stuff. Up the Irons my whole life long! I'm 53 and hope to be saying that when I'm 93. God bless Steve Harris the man!

[@tobywoodard7]

This "new lineup" has endured for nearly 22 years already.

[@demonmonsterdave]

@@tobywoodard7 Yes, exactly. It's no longer new, it's just the main lineup.

[@Endo-uu8mo]

lol 🤣you need ears,clean up your ears

[@rjonboy7608]

I'm with you. My comment was intended to be against the whole "Maiden does improper things with farm animals because, because, because Janick." Because he plays parts of solos once done by Dave (in particular) and I was saying how good the six piece lineup is. I would have to say Dance of Death and the whole Death on the Road and Rock in Rio set of albums showed the whole Maiden family was back (new and improved) The Final Frontier and Book of Souls and live albums were as good as anything from the vinyl lp days, the Jurassic period. Bruce playing piano on Empire of the Clouds was so epically metal I still play it in rotation.The question now becomes without Janick would it still be Maiden? (Because remember Adrian was the first to go back in those sad 90s when they were all putting out "side projects". Dave Murray may be the only one not to cut a solo album then.) And Senjitzu is just awesomeness cover to cover. Don't know how Steve keeps putting out albums that are nothing like what I thought i wanted but just what I needed. I am so looking forward to the show. October 17, 2022, Worcester, MA. 👍✌🤘🤘👌 (I know it sounds like a fanboy gush but it really is quality music.)

[@TheFearlesscore]

janick gers and adrian they both kick ass big time. Great musicians and songwriters who have influenced millions over the years (me included) to play guitar. Adrian was a crucial member in Maiden, he was a big part of the band´s success during the 80's and a killer guitar player. Janick had to replace him and stayed in the band when bruce left and gave the band fresh air when Maiden needed it the most. Adrian has written sea of madness,the prisoner while gers wrote be quick or be dead!!!!!!

[@mrchow5047]

Smith is infiitely better sorry, as a songwritter, performer and soloist, and he is super humble and he has a kick ass presence on stage

[@WhoDaF0ok1sThatGuy]

Janick Gers was with White Spirit for their debut album and that album was an absolute gem! I got it on CD and play it all the time. Sadly the band never got the love they deserved! High Upon High, Red Skies, Way of The Kings, and Don’t Be Fooled are absolutely amazing and show his real talent!

[@YouCantDeleteDenzelL]

Jan's voice -3 I could fall asleep to the sound of it, it's just so soft and sweet.

[@xristinaxamou3981]

janick is like a human version of Eddie

[@SomewhereInTheMaidenverse]

@Celestial Dragoness 🤣

[@itsthewanderingfool]

No, that’s Nicko.

[@tobywoodard7]

Murray is my all-time favorite guitarist, and Janick is my second!!

[@wahwahgaboor]

only Jesus knows

[@SuperWherewolf]

Dave Murray for president

[@itsthewanderingfool]

Same here!!

[@SoySky42]

Janick is a very nice guy

[@rockguitar2012]

Thanks for uploading this interview, I've never seen it before! Up the Irons :)

[@tobywoodard7]

LOVE Janick!!!!!!

[@maurovalenciamusic]

I think "Stranger in a Strange Land" sounded too short :P

[@sjaxemaster11]

Mauro Valencia love the guitar tone in that song.

[@antoniodossantos6735]

One of the best Maiden songs ever !!!

[@tyreekmurillo4524]

nahh the length is perfect

[@SideR3D]

agreed, things that guy does on stage are just fucking amazing

[@jasonlemere1683]

Adrian is exactly describing how the music comes out of you when you grab your guitar and play riffs, parts, flat picking, etc. and record the stuff. That is how music is made once you sort out the parts and add lyrics to a very good concept. Most bands will not teach you this stuff unless you pay for a book of theirs. At this time, everything was on the verge of going from analog to digital. I dearly love this era of Maiden and all their songs before and after. Janick is an awesome showman and musician. Maiden has always hade really great members from Paul, Clive, and Blaze, to the present lineup. Right now with the 6 members they sound great as ever and now with Bruce being a 4 Engine jet pilot, they have even more freedom to go places that no metal band has gone before. If I was on a desert island with a solar powered media player that could only have 1 album, mine would be either Live After Death in Long Beach Arena and the Dortman second disc addition, or Somewhere Back in Time with Wasted Years and some 7th Son.

[@NinjaLill]

I found out in ’09 that I have MS. Now it isn’t the same that it was way back when, and I love the fact that the fandom still rember Clive. Amazing Drummerboy he was. ❤️

[@spanishpeaches2930]

Wow...Tommy Vance !

[@babyk8047]

King of kings the late and great Tommy Vance great stuff from a great bunch of lads

[@garystrat999]

wow awesome interview!

[@hexxon77]

RIP Clive. Great drummer. Ps. Janick is great! Dajesz czadu Janek!

[@Fenghorn_Zob]

Rest in peace Clive

[@shanecopner7827]

Love following a band since 1986,that are grounded no bull

[@colintraveller]

RIP Tommy Vance . i REMEMBER HIS SHOWS ON RADIO 1 on friday nights ..

[@dissyduster]

Top Guys,Love em to bits X

[@booshting3520]

The late great Tommy Vance. Miss his Friday Night Rock Show.

[@pascalfabre1723]

Merci janick et Adrian. Pour le groupe. 🎸🎸🎸

[@Gwennwys]

Tommy Vance created the soundtrack of my youth with the Friday Rock Show. Much missed.

[@MrShaundc]

i miss the friday rock show on vh1 rip tommy legend

[@anthonys.5909]

Jannick and Bruce are the most electrifying members in the band. Don't get me wrong I love all 6,including Blaze Bayley but I love watching Jannick live.

[@Eirik36]

Thank you! I thought I was the only one who thought that. They keep everyone else young hahah

[@mrchow5047]

I think it's lame, stop the ridiculous dacing and play better

[@tryingggg1251]

@@mrchow5047 learn to spell dancing first

[@maiden666fan]

he's just amazing

[@terrancesingerling4940]

Tommy Vance was a very cool guy..Adrian and Janick seem very approachable and down to earth

[@Sutannamistrz]

All Maiden musicians look like good friends so I think there are no any bad feelings :)

[@dapperdanman1956]

Stranger is one of there best. The album was done on those GK. Amps, like 8+10 inch speakers/ Solid state. I remember Adrian talking bout the amps in guitar.

[@kili1985]

yeah its the Gallien-Krueger 250ML, I own one of them

[@AceOfHeart2012]

Maiden is the perfect band that can accommodate a three guitar attack. Skynyrd pulled it off of course and now when I listen to older Maiden pre-Janick they sound kind of bare bones. Janick thickened up the mix wonderfully.

[@Nemo9291]

I would love to know who wrote specific parts of the song. Could you show me where or how to get these infos?

[@mo6501]

Adrian 😍

[@joeiliff]

Maiden sounds great with three guitarist and Janick is an awesome guitarist. He is as much a part of Maiden as Bruce or Dave or any the other guys. Up The Irons!!!

[@Endo-uu8mo]

noooooo better sounds in the 80snothing compares too the classic line up

[@andrewdeehan6292]

Got my tickets for Newark, NJ, Nov. 2024! MAIDEN!!!!

[@VESSHELPINGCATS]

I LOVE him MORE!!LOL!!

[@Chriskkboongg]

Steve composed the main riff of Aces High.

[@oicduc]

Adrian Smith FTW

[@VESSHELPINGCATS]

Love Him too lol!!

[@NorthernMattZ]

Oh Janick, You know youll be able to see adrian fishing, bruce flying... me drinking. LOL

[@axxionsqueen]

they're both great! Janick is sooooo hot!!

[@PersonOfBook]

Jankick Gers looks like Glenn Tipton!

[@johanhansson4574]

No he looks like Michael Berryman

[@meregistroporquesi]

gotta love mr gers!!

[@Sutannamistrz]

o, great. I didn't know that.

[@morgensternmorgenstern7145]

After taking a closer look... Janick is a young Hetfield dead ringer

[@manuele.itriagom.728]

The watermark in the middle of their faces is not invasive at all.

[@TheGroumpfy]

Adrian = Brandon Fraser Janick = Long haired David Bowie

[@TheFearlesscore]

the whole band contributes in the writing process, everyone gives an opinion or has a concept of how the song should go. For instance adrian smith has a riff and all the band goes with that riff. Another example is aces high wich harris wrote by himself, but the man who gives harris´s riffs is dave murray you see. Unfortunately i can´t tell you who wrote the specific part of a song

[@GillsFan91]

How do Slipknot not deserve their fame they have worked just as hard if not harder than most bands out there today.

[@wahwahgaboor]

who cares

[@tobywoodard7]

ditto

[@Endo-uu8mo]

because their untalented poser Metal punks nobody cares only Member who was a beast and really great was Joey RIP Joey 🤘

[@MetalThrashingMikey]

Let H talk Janick dam lol

[@bfairifudare1964]

what year is this interview?

[@mka70]

@3:45 I wish the 2000 version of Maiden could have a fuckin word with the 2016 - current date, Maiden! Release the album!

[@Nemo9291]

By saying "Steve Harris wrote Aces High", did you mean that he wrote the lyrics for the song based on Dave's riff? To be honest, I have totally no idea how musicians compose a song.

[@TheFearlesscore]

Yes, he wrote the lyrics and had the concept of the riff, but Murray was the one who perfectioned it. It`s hard for me to know who wrote what too, but nobody in Iron Maiden writes a song without the help of the others

[@ThePurpleRose3]

adrian smith and his replacement

[@rackerthescammer4517]

😂😂

[@MsBenlane]

was he saying jannick? both are such nice guys for all their talent. adrian wrote a book on fishing monsters of river and rock about life as an angler and rocker.

[@szithaanu9934]

It would have been such a dickhead move to ask Janick to leave just to get Adrian back. I don't believe for one second that the decision to ask Adrian to come back in was made because the band weren't happy with Janick's contribution. And I don't believe that Janick was just kept on because it was the nice thing to do. If Steve wanted Janick out, he would be out. Steve has shown in the past that the band is his priority and he will make whatever decision he sees fit for the progression of the band without letting personal feelings cloud his judgement. It's easy to overlook Janick because he wasn't part of the 'classic' line up from the 80's, but the man has contributed so much to the band in 30+ years and is as much a part of Iron Maiden as Adrian is. Personally, I've always loved Janick and I used to throw my guitar around my neck all the time pretending to be him when I was younger playing along to Maiden songs in my bedroom.

[@CARSALESification]

TV PLAY THAT ROC 'N' ROLL

[@tyreekmurillo4524]

this was circa 2001-2002

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

reall nice. Year?

[@tryingggg1251]

2002 i think, before DoD

[@tiborosz1825]

Still waiting for a maiden song written by both these guys.

[@buzzerrptakutsamaHarunMasiku]

Brighter Than Thousand Suns Solos owned they both

[@tiborosz1825]

@@buzzerrptakutsamaHarunMasiku nope. Dickinson, , Smith, Harris

[@petiso8]

From what year is this interview?

[@jasonhempel53]

petiso8 2002

[@shreddersteve2663]

+petiso8 About a year before Dance of Death.

[@petiso8]

Gracias

[@petiso8]

Dos guitarras

[@TheHiddenWeasel]

When Adrian left, Janick joined the band(1995 i believe) So when they played on stage, Janick played Adrians part. When Adrian came back into the band, instead of adding another solo, Janick played Adrians.

[@tobywoodard7]

1990

[@Endo-uu8mo]

Adrian doesnt left they fired him

[@tryingggg1251]

@@Endo-uu8mo no they didn’t, paul and clive were fired. adrian left on his own will

[@gabrielbrouwer]

@@Endo-uu8mo Adrian leaving the band is more complex. He didn’t leave or get fired. He and Steve were not seeing eye to eye on the musical direction they were taking and they mutually agreed that Adrian would leave. So he didn’t get fired but he didn’t really leave on his own either.

[@shuntensatsu]

janick joined in 1990 during no prayer for the dying sessions

[@HarrySinglehurst]

I see where he is coming from, a young 1983/4 Hetfield d:

[@VESSHELPINGCATS]

And me Worshiping lol!!

[@Bung-hit]

Janick is pretty good

[@fredericpeterson916]

so you own this place, am I right?

[@daytonnielsen2555]

Iron Maiden puts out new material a tour.God bless em.

[@MinisterScar]

bare bones?? you kidding?? trust me there isnt a bigger fan of Janick than me in this page... but Maiden for life... pre and post janick!!

[@PitazoFinalPeru]

I love Janick solos!!!

[@lemmy6782]

See janick about now and then he only lives up the road in yarm .