Maiden Chicago

       

Lead Vocalist, Bill Swanson Departs toward the Final Frontier 

Millions of fans across the globe will testify that Iron Maiden is one of the greatest live bands of all time. Superior lyrics, galloping guitar riffs and excellent stage presence has given them that hard edge appeal for well over 40 years. Formed on Christmas Day in 1975 by bassist Steve Harris, he left his previous group, Smiler and assembled a weapon of Metal destruction more powerful than one thousand FV-101 British Scorpion tanks combined. Harris had been influenced by  novelist  Alexandre Dumas, author of The Man in The Iron Mask, which had a verbal connection to the mid-evil torture device and "the name" Iron Maiden was created. The British heavy metal band also incorporated their famous mascot, "Eddie" from the brilliant mind of Derick Riggs thus producing thirty-six albums and selling over 85 million records worldwide.

So, what has this got to with Maiden Chicago, you ask? The unemployment rate in the United States has remained unchanged, and is close to 8.0%, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And with the blue collar working class struggling to make ends meet, some folks just do not have $150.00 of happy money laying around just to purchase an Iron Maiden concert ticket these days. In fact, more and more fans are supporting their local cover bands and enjoying a nice evening listing to the next best thing for a third the cost with beer money to spare.

Unfortunately, those days are over for lead vocalist, Bill Swanson as he begins a new voyage. “It’s been 27-years now when I first auditioned for a north side band called Tail Gunner, explains,” Swanson. “There are other things in life, and I guess it’s time for me to move on.” Now, after recapping his success as former front man for Maiden Chicago, Swanson is focusing more on home and domestic issues and less on Heavy Metal thunder.

However, Bill Swanson is not looking back, but is gazing into the future with more quality time to spend with his family. This could in fact, be his new agenda as he takes the role of a loving father and loyal husband.  “There’s always a lot of places to go hunting and fishing with my son,” Swanson expresses with deep admiration. Traveling a bit would be nice and showing him all the things my father did when I was his age is what I would like to do,” Swanson adds.

Eccentric emotions on this dark Autumn night in Lansing, Illinois. Heavy rain storms approaching JJ Kelley’s and no amount of words, music or fond memories can touch the human spirt like Maiden Chicago.  This was the kind of energy that will soon be forgotten by no one and remembered as one of the best Iron Maiden tribute bands in the United States.

Maiden Chicago decided to bring their act indoors. Opening their set with “Remember Tomorrow” pulled on the emotional heart strings to their adoring fans that night.  “Run to the Hills” “The Trooper and “Powerslave” had the crowd screaming for more Maiden as spectators enjoyed Maiden Chicago’s last celebration with Swanson.  Other members include, Al Contreas & Mike Zatezalo (lead guitarists), Gary Ingram (bass) and drummer Dan Driskill closed out their set with “Hallowed Be Thy Name” For those unaware the songwriting lawsuit regarding Iron Maiden, a gentleman by the name of Robert Barton claimed to have written some of the lyrics. This song narrates a motion picture on stage about a public execution. Barton secretly settled out of court with one of the credited songwriters, and in 2011 another blood-sucking money leech claims that they are the original  songwriters. After Brian Ingham tries to sue Iron Maiden for his share of the profits, the British Heavy Metal act is no longer allowed to perform “Hallowed Be Thy Name” live in concert anymore.

Heavy Metal may have bottomed out in America, as more lawsuits, Percocet and Gangster Rap music make way for a new generation. This has been a well coordinated exodus by record executives that lend money out to artists with no musical background. Of course, that’s only half the story. History will be hard to know in the future as fake news bombards these self-entitled Millennials with the media slowly brainwashing their critical thinking about slavery and the Holocaust.

More dangerous storms are approaching, and the days of Pac Man, Rubix Cube and Heavy Metal madness reach the end of an era. The party is official over. This was a very special time to be alive during the 1980’s.  Thirty-five years later, one can go to the shores of Lake Michigan and with brilliant vision can witness the damage done on those masculine concrete mountains. The blizzard of fear continues as our inner-child trapped like a wild beast ready to escape. You can see the destructive force of our savage nature and what humankind has become. Maiden Chicago will still continue without Bill Swanson and the thunder of his amazing energy on stage is now just a whisper above the Cirrus clouds as he launches into the final frontier.