Iron Maiden tonight pulled off a stunning victory by a reported landslide at the UK’s prestigious Brit Awards when they were voted ‘Best British Live Act’ by the public and their fans ahead of Coldplay, Elbow, The Verve and Scouting For Girls.
Maiden are one of Britain’s biggest International acts ever, selling over 70 million albums and breaking ticket records around the globe with their enormous live following. Last summer they staged a spectacular British show at Twickenham Stadium, one of 90 shows in 38 countries on the current “Somewhere Back in Time” tour, playing to almost two million fans.
Watch Iron Maiden’s acceptance video on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QVszdciE4c
Bruce Dickinson says, “We are delighted to receive the Brit Award for Best British Live Act, especially as this is a testament to our fans. I’ve often said Iron Maiden’s secret weapon is our fans and they’ve proved us right all along. Anyone who’s been to one of our shows knows that they’re the most passionate and devoted fans on the planet, making the atmosphere at our shows incredible. So this Award is for them as much as it is for us. It is they who voted in huge numbers. It’s a shame they can’t all get a Brit statue!”
Manager Rod Smallwood adds, “This has to be good for Metal, I don’t think many Brit Awards have been given to Metal so it’s about time it was recognised for the creative force it is. Metal and Maiden have long thrived outside the mainstream media and radio so l am sure our fans will be very pleased about this and, let’s face it, they are the ones who voted in droves and the ones we have to thank. The black sheep finally invades your lounge!!”
Iron Maiden’s legion of fans will be getting the chance to see the band in full close-up on and off stage sooner than they think. Maiden’s very first feature film ‘FLIGHT 666’ will hit digital screen cinemas on Tuesday 21st April for a global one-day spectacular MAIDEN DAY event, where fans will be able to experience the adventures of the first leg of the band’s sensational Somewhere Back In Time World Tour — and all this in High Definition, big screen with full 5.1 surround sound.
‘Flight 666’ finally lifts the lid on life in Iron Maiden. The band flew their Boeing 757, christened ‘Ed Force One’ by their fans and piloted by vocalist and Airline Captain Bruce Dickinson, on a 50,000 mile journey literally around the planet. ‘Flight 666’ (the flight call number of ‘Ed Force One’) takes in five continents and 13 countries from India to Australia, Japan to Brazil, Mexico to Costa Rica, Argentina, Colombia and Chile to Canada and the USA and beyond in just six weeks of gruelling jetlag, enormous concerts and fan pandemonium, pulling off the most ambitious rock tour ever attempted in the process. It’s a fascinating, revealing and close-up portrait of the six members of Iron Maiden and illustrates just why the band have been crowned BEST BRITISH LIVE ACT at the Brit Awards.
‘FLIGHT 666’ is a document of one of the world’s most legendary bands at a truly historic point in their career and is must-see viewing for fans and anyone with an interest in music and live touring.
Maiden have also announced that the World Premiere of their movie ‘Flight 666’ will take place at the Cine Odeon cinema in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday 14th March, followed by a North American premiere at the prestigious SXSW festival in Austin, Texas on March 18th at the Paramount Theater.
Says manager Rod Smallwood, “As the band are away from the UK touring throughout February and March (go to www.ironmaiden.com for details) we elected to have the World Premiere in Rio during the tour so the band can all be there. Following our appearance at the legendary first Rock in Rio Festival in 1985, Brazil has always been a very special place for us and we have since visited a number of times. The premiere will be in the early afternoon prior to our concert in Rio that evening.
“On the Somewhere Back In Time tour we will have toured in Brazil more than ever before, visiting eight different cities and playing in Sao Paulo twice. Having sold out the Palmeiras Football Stadium there a year ago we are going back again to play in the Interlagos Grand Prix circuit where last year Lewis Hamilton won the Formula One Championship. With over 40,000 tickets sold already over a month up front, other than motor racing this is expected to be the second biggest event there ever — after His Holiness the Pope! With the movie appearing in cinemas worldwide on 21st April and being back touring round the World on Ed Force One it’s a very exciting time for us!!”