Former Iron Maiden singer Blaze Bayley has opened up about his decision to quit drinking.
In an exclusive interview with Metal Hammer, Bayley revealed that he's been sober since June 2019, having kicked alcohol to focus on his mental health.
The 62-year-old singer, who fronted the British heavy metal titans from 1994 to 1999, was diagnosed with depression 25 years ago and has since stopped drinking altogether.
The singer urges people who may have problems with alcohol to "try quitting and give it six months." He admits that he's not a full-blown alcoholic but has struggled with the habit of drinking alone.
Bayley feels liberated for having given up drinking, explaining that he can now go anywhere without being drunk, and even ride his motorcycle at any time.
Bayley will headline the Friday night Maidenville stage at EDDFEST weekend this summer, celebrating Iron Maiden's 50th Anniversary.
The festival will feature a unique mix of special acts with a connection to Maiden, including Gypsy's Kiss, who Steve Harris has invited to perform on the Maidenville stage on Friday night too.
EDDFEST is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience what constitutes Iron Maiden's idea of a fun-filled 48 hours of entertainment.
The festival starts from 2 PM on Friday with camping included for both nights.
Various parts of the Maidenville site will be open to weekend campers throughout Friday afternoon and into the early hours of Saturday morning.
The highly anticipated EDDFEST Festival has just got bigger with the announcement that Blaze Bayley will headline the Friday night Maidenville stage.
Fans can expect to hear Blaze Bayley and his band deliver a powerful set of songs from The X Factor and Virtual XI, the albums he released during his time as Iron Maiden's lead singer.
Blaze co-wrote some of the songs on those albums with band founder Steve Harris.
Steve has also invited Gypsy's Kiss to perform on the Maidenville stage on Friday night too.
As the very first band Steve Harris ever played with they were an instrumental part of Steve’s journey to form Iron Maiden a year later.
The EDDFEST Festival starts from 2 PM on Friday with camping included for both nights.
Various parts of the Maidenville site will be open to weekend campers throughout Friday afternoon and into the early hours of Saturday morning, including the Infinite Dreams Museum Experience.
They will also enjoy a whole evening of entertainment on the Maidenville stage featuring the unique mix of special acts with a connection to Maiden.
The singer was quoted saying "I’m so excited to be invited to headline Friday night at EDDFEST, celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden." He adds that he is looking forward to playing some of the songs that they recorded together.
Fans can expect to hear Blaze Bayley and his band deliver a powerful set of songs from The X Factor and Virtual XI.
BraveWords Records releases PRIOR CONVICTIONS the new album by Alcatrazz.
The highly anticipated EDDFEST Festival is going to be a truly exceptional weekend for each and every Maiden fan in attendance – an unforgettable chance to be part of a fully themed Festival experience, celebrating Iron Maiden’s spectacular fifty year career… and the last chance to see them in the UK until at least 2028.