Bruce Dickinson Was Willing to Find Iron Maiden a 'Great Replacement' If He Couldn't Sing After Cancer Diagnosis

Dickinson was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on his tongue in 2014

Almost a decade after receiving treatment for a cancerous tumor found on the back of his tongue, Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson got candid about relinquishing his role if he couldn't sing.

In a new interview with Rich Roll, Dickinson, 66, revealed he was willing to help the band find his replacement if he was unable to sing after treatment. "I was quite prepared to accept that I might not be able to sing with Iron Maiden again," the singer said. "I might be able to sing, I might be able to vocalize, I might be able to sing in a different way, but if I couldn't sing the way I have to sing with Iron Maiden, I'll help them find a great replacement. Because the music is sacrosanct."

But his career wasn't his first priority after receiving his diagnosis. "When I had throat cancer, the last thing on my mind was, 'Would I ever sing again?' The first thing on my mind is, 'Am I gonna get through this and be alive?'... And I thought, 'Well, we'll get to that stage when I'm done and we start trying to sing.'"

Related: Iron Maiden Vocalist Bruce Dickinson Undergoes Cancer Treatment

Dickinson joined the band in 1981 and contributed to some of Iron Maiden's most recognizable singles, including "Run to the Hills" and "2 Minutes to Midnight." He left the band in 1993 due to growing tensions amongst the band, eventually returning in 1999. Since then, the band has continued to tour and record, with their most recent album, Senjutsu, being released in 2021.

"One of the reasons I think the band has survived is because we have grown into each other over the years as people, but at the same time the music is always sacrosanct," Dickinson said of his relationship with his bandmates.

On Oct. 21, original Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno died at 66 after experiencing "severe health issues."

Related: Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson Goes on Rant About Ticket Prices — and Thinks the Front Row Should Be Affordable

The band issued a statement memorializing the late singer, writing:

"We are all deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Paul Di'Anno earlier today. Paul's contribution to Iron Maiden was immense and helped set us on the path we have been travelling as a band for almost five decades. His pioneering presence as a frontman and vocalist, both on stage and on our first two albums, will be very fondly remembered not just by us, but by fans around the world."