Dennis Stratton Interview

Dennis Stratton is a classic, living and breathing case of a person who grew up and loved East London and its pride: West Ham! Dennis visited Greece for a concert; a tribute to the early Maiden years and Rockpages invites him to the magazine’s headquarters and discuss with him all about those days back in the 70s when Maiden started and the punk movement was all over England. Dennis clarifies what really happened with his dismissal of the band; who was responsible for it and many other interesting topics. At the end of our conversation, we allowed Dennis to drink his beer although it must have been a little bit warm by that point. But…a good beer is always a good beer…right?
Interview: Sakis Nikas - Yiannis Dolas
Ο Dennis Stratton είναι ένα ζωντανό, κλασικό παράδειγμα ενός ατόμου που μεγάλωσε και αγάπησε το Ανατολικό Λονδίνο και φυσικά το καμάρι του East End, την West Ham! Με την ευκαιρία της επίσκεψης του στη χώρα μας για ένα live-φόρο τιμής στα πρώιμα χρόνια των Maiden, τον βάζουμε στην αναπαυτική καρέκλα των headquarters του Rockpages και γυρίζουμε πίσω στη δεκαετία του 70, τότε που ξεκινούσαν οι Maiden και το punk κίνημα ήταν παντού. Μαθαίνουμε επίσης τι ακριβώς συνέβη με την απόλυση του από τη Σιδηρά Παρθένο, ποιος ήταν υπεύθυνος για αυτή και άλλα πολλά. Στο τέλος της συνέντευξης αφήσαμε τον Dennis να απολαύσει τη μπύρα του η οποία μάλλον είχε ζεσταθεί λιγάκι...
Συνέντευξη: Σάκης Νίκας - Γιάννης Δόλας
This video contains copyright audio and video material. RockpagesTV doesn't own the copyright and only uses the following footage for reference:
VIDEO:
London On Film: The East End produced by BBC Four
Farewell Boleyn: The '70s produced for West Ham United FC
The History Of Iron Maiden - part 1: The Early Days, released by EMI in 2004
Iron Maiden - Running Free, performed at Top Of The Pops, 1980
Iron Maiden - Women In Uniform, music video released by EMI
Praying Mantis - Can't See The Angels, music video released by Pony Canyon
Praying Mattis - Letting Go, music video released by Pony Canyon
Dennis Stratton & The Clairvoyants - "Phantom Of The Opera" uploaded on KZbin by PunksNotDeadGR
AUDIO:
The Cockney Rejects - We Can Do Anything, from the album "Greatest Hits II" released by EMI
Iron Maiden - Killers, from the album "Killers" released by EMI

[@theddie5457]

I saw Dennis walking outside the O2 to see Maiden in August 2018. I asked him for selfie, shook his hand, couldn't believe my luck. What a nice fella!

[@dba4292]

Did he have to get/pay for his own ticket and/or being stuck somewhere in the crowd?

[@blacksabbath1022]

First 2 Maiden albums have always been my favorites out of all of them.

[@danielvecchi9939]

You forgot Maiden Japan.

[@blacksabbath1022]

@@danielvecchi9939 That's a great one too. Growing up I was completely in the minority when it came to Maiden. Everyone loved Dickenson with The Number of the Beast through 7th Son while I was always a Dianno first two albums and Maiden Japan guy. I don't mind the first 3 with Bruce but they started to lose me. I much preferred the hard hitting aggressive Maiden with Paul's style of vocals and those epic guitar riffs and drums/bass where the instrumentals kicked all kinds of ass over what they would do later on. We're still in the minority but I'm glad to see there is more of us on the internet that agree with me. I've never been that big on the operatic, lots of vibrato metal "singers." I was always someone that preferred the sound of a singers voice over whether he was a technical singer. Its why I favor guys like Bon Scott, Paul Dianno, Ozzy, Hetfield etc..over Tony Martin, Dickenson, Dio.. Those guys are good don't get me wrong but the more aggressive style of vocals have always been my preference. Maiden were so good on their first 2. If they continued in that direction they may have ended up being a top 5 band for me.

[@danielvecchi9939]

@@blacksabbath1022 your not wrong he had this forceful voice about him that was different and the dress to leather studded arm bands Paul had the punk look but like it said on maiden Japan earth dog look can only agree with you forceful voice Paul your not wrong forceful voice like Lemmy as well really set the way for heavy metal for year to come metal 🤟 to you.

[@blacksabbath1022]

@@danielvecchi9939 Damn, how'd I forget Lemmy? He's like the quintessential guy I was talking about lol. Have a good one bro🤘

[@michaelmarifern9541]

1st 2 LP'S WERE PHENOMENAL..street metal, kids could relate & it was perfect!!

[@Milehighshred]

Glad to see Dennis kept the music career going after Maiden.

[@dave3643]

LEGEND.... unforgettable tone and feeling, his solos make the hairs stand up!, Thank you Dennis, you contributed more to Maiden than anyone knows.

[@musicmusic6595]

i always had the impression stratton had a huge influence on them early songs, the way he talks and speaks, he seems like a guy with a really good i.q, intelligent musician.

[@ioannist.5568]

Dennis is older than the rest of the band and it was a matter of time, back then, to leave Iron Maiden. However, he deserved to record and tour for Killers album. I mean, this guy was there, rehearsing all these songs.

[@pauldianno6464]

Dennis is awesome. Love the first album!!! my favorite Maiden era has always been 1978-1985. The Soundhouse Tapes, All the early pub gigs, The first 5 Maiden albums. Its all amazing...people like Dennis Stratton, Tony Parsons, Doug Sampson are just as responsible for that classic maiden sound as Steve Harris, Paul Di'anno, Clive Burr, Dave Murry, Adrian Smith, Bruce & Nicko are.

[@jimmysaboter3]

finally an interview with Dennis Stratton! Thanks for that!

[@rodneysaunders3009]

Thank you Dennis for your contributions to my favorite band.

[@2099Oz]

Always a pleasure to listen to Mr. Stratton

[@GoZoneGuitar84]

What an awesome guitar player. Always loved his phrasing and vibrato

[@jacekkowalczyk9909]

Up the Irons! Dennis is a very nice person , great to listen about history

[@rajarahman2655]

DID NOT KNOW ABOUT ROD MAKING DENNIS FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE in Maiden, just coz he was listening to other forms of music. Did Dennis, listening to other forms of music, make Rod think that Dennis had influence to change Maidens musical direction. Who knows. I listen to Kate Bush, Boney M. Also listen and go to see Dumpys Rusty Nuts, Exploited, Bad Brains, Discharge, D R I and a thousand others but I do get judged, sometimes. I used to make compilation tapes to play at work. Marvin Gaye next to Sham 69, Bad Manners next to Maiden, Olivia Newton John next to Exploited, Specials next to Trouble, Sister Sledge next to Motörhead and so on. The floor banter was hilarious. Usual expression was W T F. YOUR NUTS. I only saw Maiden with Dennis twice and I was well impressed. Oh well, life goes on I suppose. Good luck Dennis.

[@farazkhan-sh7ls]

you have no idea sir what an amazing player you have been. i m 27 i just discovered iron maiden 1 year ago. and 2 days ago i discovered that it was you on the first two albums... i m crazy about stuffs you have recorded and played . You sir are a legend. if i were in your place right now ,believe me i 'd be crying for the stuffs i had written in making iron maiden what it is today... Huge respect for you sir

[@alvin2795]

Played on one the greatest rock debut albums ever 👍🎸🎸

[@_OOTP_]

Really enjoyed this video. Dennis seems to be a properly humble chap, and a great storyteller. What a guy! I would have loved to have heard his contributions to "Killers".

[@auggierobledo941]

to this day i still wonder what kind of music would have been created with Dennis in the band...

[@johnhyout]

🤔 ... Just listen to the first IM album and even the second (in part).

[@biorythmicshifter]

Adrian is an exceptional player and songwriter can you blame them?... He was also Dave’s best friend as kids, that’s a powerful influence in itself. I won’t question Steve Harris’s decisions , he is Iron Maiden.

[@korhansoydan]

I can never forget the first time that I heard the iconic first solo of Strange World. That solo is smt special. Thank you Dennis, for all the amazing solos, lovely harmonies and great backing vocals (esp on Phantom Of The Opera).

[@mickdebergerac1143]

Great interview, I would have loved to see and hear more of it

[@user-in9xo6zo9p]

Dennis is playing in Romford Sunday! I am going to go and see him. The ex BT engineer !!!!

[@creativegoth]

Dennis used to play in The Dean Swift, on Sunday lunchtimes, with Dave Edwards, I went in sober and came out wonky many a Sunday early evening..

[@christschinwon]

I was sorry for him. The band (to be clear I mean Rod & Steve) were quietly setting it up for Adrian all along but couldn't get him at first. Same when they toured with Nicko and Trust. A few beers down the line & they started a plot to oust Clive. Sorry if the truth sounds harsh

[@rickleblanc8900]

He left the band because Mr. Rod disapproved of his musical tastes and made him feel like shit?? That is fucking weak. Dennis was (is) a very talented musician who definitely played a big part in how the 1st Maiden album sounded guitar wise thanks to his harmony lead parts and rhythm support for Dave Murray. No lack of dedication or loyalty to Maiden as far as i can see. I hate it when bands dismiss players for bullshit unfounded reasons. On the plus side, I'm happy he is still playing and pursuing his musical passion .

[@lmjones7716]

I agree with you. Maiden were ruthless in their pursuit of the ultimate line-up. I suspect there were other reasons they fired Stratton, apart from him listening to the Eagles and 10cc, things like image and his slightly older age. They try to impart a chummy image but behnd the scenes Maiden are a well oiled business machine.

[@WhoisVinnie]

Firing Clive was bullshit

[@Contato1001]

@@WhoisVinnie it simply killed the band, IM was never the same without him. Only really good thing after Clive left are the albuns with Blaze, and in those albuns, to my surprise this nicko guy plays well

[@Contato1001]

@@WhoisVinnie it amazes me that to this day we still dont know for sure why Clive left

[@gothamcitizen5520]

Συγχαρητήρια, ωραία συνέντευξη, πολύ καλή δουλειά !

[@eddiemuniz761]

It would be that it is my presumption that Dennis created the beginning of Phantom of the Opera!!!!!

[@liveinroom]

very good interview :)

[@alekskot9240]

Μράβο φίλε, ωραία συνέντευξη

[@newty72]

Seems like a really genuine fella,great interview.

[@megaduck7965]

He’s a nice bloke met him a few years ago at the o2 on the BOS tour

[@paulproductions9213]

Legendary 🎸

[@marshfilm]

Cheers to you Dennis! Thank you for the harmony leads! lol

[@tristandunn4628]

Every interview I've seen with Dennis, he seems like a really down-to-earth, humble, decent guy. Great playing on the IM album. Also great to hear live performances of him playing the likes of Killers and Wrathchild. It is shitty that things went pear-shaped with him and Maiden. From what I've heard of his endeavours in the years since, it does seem more AOR-oriented. That does corroborate the "musical differences" line given for his dismissal from the band. He was treated badly, though. I totally get why you'd want to not be in each others' face 24x7. Top geezer

[@rickdelsie]

Would love to hear more about the 1980 live "Drifter" song featuring Dennis Stratton vs The 1981 Killers LP featuring Adrian Smith on guitar.

[@truthseekerchannel432]

those first 2 albums will always be my favorite Maiden albums. the music was amazing, the vocals fit perfect, the grooves were amazing, the time signature shifts were killer, no pun intended. in my book, im sorry to say, maidens last real good album was powerslave. everything after that to me was a sad attempt to keep the machine rolling. but its lost its punch, its lost its drive. the first 2 albums were raw, hard hitting and perfect.

[@mr.timebombman2230]

Rod did him dirty for sure. Wasn't right how they let him go. Would've been awesome if they kept him and Adrian still joined and they would have had the triple guitar attack way back then. People sometimes don't remember that they had 3 guitarists in the 70's at certain points. Just would have been interesting to hear what he could've written along side Dave and Adrian.

[@szkcs]

nice Spitfire poster in the background!

[@TheTacoMonger]

Great to hear Dennis Strattons side of the story.. sounds like he got a raw deal.

[@robertbishop5357]

Rod Smallwood sounds like a not so benevolent dictator. Big mistake letting Stratton go. A very creative artist /musician. Mantis, Maiden, Lionhart, Atkins, DiAnno all benefited from Stratton musical acumen.

[@user-em2me8rs3t]

I sea a very young man! Cause his soul is always young.

[@aztec999999]

Thanks for your mint playing Dennis

[@alvin2795]

Proper geezer 👍

[@ELBARBAAZUL]

es idéntico a un actor de México, me refiero a él famoso "resortes" . saludos desde la CDMX

[@aztec999999]

I would pay alot to read your book

[@BrunoCAGAS]

I really would like to know what kind of music he was getting into

[@nagyaszi]

now I know why Iron Maiden and Killers are so close together. :D

[@crescentandstarglory]

What’s the song end of the clip?

[@EireForTheIrish]

A top bloke is Mr Stratton....

[@michaelangeloh.5383]

I like Steve Harris and all, but it's quite hypocritical and ironic of him to say he hated how Dennis here added harmonies, but they were all about that a few years later, especially with the re-introduction of Adrian Smith. Because I mean, what are they going to do, all play the same notes or only two lines?... I don't think so.You can really expand it with a third guitar, which they did. - Of course it can also get too crazy, but in any case, the epic and beautiful harmonies are one of the most essential elements in Maiden's music. I do the same when I play along anyway, add things they never played.

[@lmjones7716]

Nowhere does it say that Harris hated harmonies. They just wanted to fire Stratton and get a new guitarist in.

[@phili58]

maiden had harmonies before dennis was even in the band! in one of their pre-dennis lineups they had 3 guitar players. I think he is bending the truth by saying he added a lot of the harmonies in the material for the first album. steve was a die hard wishbone ash and thin lizzy fan - he always envisioned and wrote music based around harmonies

[@dba4292]

Harmonizing lines is what Maiden has been about since pretty much Day 1. Phantom, Iron Maiden, Transylvania, all place a HEAVY emphasis on harmony. It is their sound, that and galloping rhythms. That said, they didn’t like Dennis’ harmony influences from other bands. Read up on wiki, Iron Maiden Debut Album / Background. He started copying other bands harmony stuff, that’s when Steve finally had enough all together.

[@superbear9569]

Heavy Metal Lovejoy!!

[@epiphgd4302]

What’s the song @<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="808">13:28</a>?

[@RockpagesTV]

"Letting Go" by Praying Mantis kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHeVeGCar9uff9E

[@The4thDensity]

Was the blonde in the "Women in Uniform" video Leslie Ash?

[@spiritdude2828]

Yes.

[@rickleblanc8900]

Yeah she's very nice! Watched the video for Maiden, though. Lol

[@juliantwigden6522]

No it is her elder sister debbie ash

[@fatihsendur7544]

My fantasy line up: Paul Di'Anno Adrian Smith Dennis Stratton Clive Burr Edit: At first, I did not include Steve , because obviously the four above are more 'risk taker', experimental guys, and that's why they are there and why that's my list. Whereas Steve is the exact opposite, who keeps with 'approved patterns' in his songs altohugh I love them. But I'm also very well aware of the fact that if he weren't there then we'd never have Maiden at all. It's just my line up. The rawer and less professional guys.

[@christiaanmondria4516]

Fatih Sendur So no bass player, no Steve Harris?

[@mvl71]

@@christiaanmondria4516 _...And Justice For All_ has no bass to speak of, so it could work.

[@adie.b3601]

You missed steve off mate

[@christschinwon]

Are you on bass per chance?

[@lmjones7716]

They should've got together around 1990 and called themselves X Maiden.

[@rebirth_mishap]

Up the irons, go hammers 🔨🔨

[@dodibenabba1378]

Saw Maiden's first three tours happy memories! Paul was miles better than Bruce Bruce.....

[@Hatemoth]

West ham is an Essex team. People from Bethnal green in particular supported Tottenham or arsenal because of the overground train line which goes straight to white hart lane.

[@patrickjamesworrow1130]

Dont talk rubbish, bell end

[@NeilThompson30]

Come on Dennis - punk didn't ruin any good bands - it helped Maiden

[@marguskiis7711]

exactly. the Steve Harris "I hate punk" stories are pure hypocrisity.

[@cbr9914]

smallwood is 100% the reason maiden got, and remained huge.

[@DetVen]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="35">0:35</a> "Rubber bank"?? Oh, rob a bank...got it.

[@Whateves73]

It's hilarious that Dennis thinks he was the one to introduce Maiden to guitar harmonies. There are plenty of pre-Stratton Maiden recordings which show it was always part of their sound. Dennis would like to think he is way more important to Maiden's sound than he as.

[@michaelangeloh.5383]

A 30 year old guy telling a 28 year old guy how to live their life?... Hah! Not happening.

[@tripinhiphop2095]

He hates punk? But maiden was punkish at start hmm

[@korhansoydan]

It seems that he didn't also like the "punkish" side of Maiden as well. Rod and Arry' felt that. Dennis seems he was more melody and hardrock guy.

[@lmjones7716]

Apart from Di'anno's image, Maiden were never punk.

[@marguskiis7711]

@@lmjones7716 Hehehehe, the "Iron Maiden" LP is a pure hardcore punk with some longer solos. Doesn`t even sound metal at all.

[@lmjones7716]

@@marguskiis7711 - The psychedelic and Hendrixy 'Strange World'; punk? The proto prog-metal of 'Phantom Of the Opera' and 'Remember Tomorrow'; punk? The bass playing and drumming of Steve Harris and Clive Burr; punk? I think not.

[@lmjones7716]

@Margus Kiis - You may as well call Genesis and Led Zeppelin punk - they both had their aggressive moments.. Hell, every band in creation is punk by your reckoning. Stop this nonsense - everyone knows what the description 'punk' entails when applied to bands and it sure don't describe Maiden - even in their earliest days.

[@wingsken]

Its funny how maiden always puts knives in everyone’s back to get the next person on. Stratton, d’ianno, burr. All were kicked out because they wanted someone else. Look at Smith, he was the stratton replacement and in 1990 they kicked him out to get gers in. Sadly, gers is nowhere near what adrian can do so they wanted him back. Even long term members need to be on their toes. I still think Gers sucks and isnt a contribution to maiden. Maiden peaked in the 80’s and no prayer for the dying was their first shitty album. The rest that followed wasnt really better. Harris was out of material to write and dickinson sounds like he is overreaching with his voice.

[@demodick]

Dude Adrian left on his own accord and Clive was really getting sick!No bad blood there. Bruce also left on his own. Now Dennis? yeah he got the shaft. Love his stuff!

[@Contato1001]

Clive getting sick back in 1982?????? where did you get this info?

[@SomewhereInTheMaidenverse]

Adrian definitely left on his own accord and has spoken a lot about it. He was already feeling uneasy on the SS tour in ‘88. Smallwood had Maiden on such a tight schedule that it didn’t leave any time for Clive to grieve his father’s death and sort himself out. Clive’s departure for me is the toughest one to process, mainly because he has said he didn’t want to leave and was blindsided by the decision. He said that the rumors about his partying affecting his performances aren’t true. RIP Clive.

[@edwardbennett7813]

Plus dianno is better than Bruce

[@sluice]

@@edwardbennett7813 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@brettkeepin808]

I was 16 in 1980 managed to see maiden 10 times with dianno ,seen Dennis a few times, then Bruce dickhead joined and ruined an amazing band, long live first two albums 😈

[@korhansoydan]

:)

[@adie.b3601]

Well said brett i like it my friend 👍

[@rubysoffner4557]

Bruce didn’t ruin an amazing band. Bruce took the band to heights impossible had Paul stayed in the band. They went from a great band to a world class band and still are

[@brettkeepin808]

@@rubysoffner4557 everyone always has a different opinion, when I saw Dickinson in Samson at reading I took an instant dislike to him. But that's my opinion, not everyone's

[@marguskiis7711]

@@rubysoffner4557 What heights? They already were world famous when BD joined.

[@gazelliott2414]

dennis never suited maiden

[@theloner6063]

Lmao.