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IRON MAIDEN GUITARIST ADRIAN SMITH ADMITS HE WAS UP FOR A POSITION WITH DEF LEPPARD – “THERE’S A FULL STORY BEHIND IT”
Adrian Smith has opened up to eonmusic about his career, confirming that he has a new solo project on the way, and that he was in line for a spot in Def Leppard after the passing of guitarist Steve Clarke in 1991. Smith made the revelations during an in depth chat with the site about his book Monsters Of River & Rock.
During the extended chat, Iron Maiden’s melodically-leaning player also reminisced fondly about early recording sessions with the recently departed Martin Birch, as well as recalling the session that led to recording Iron Maiden’s epic “Stranger In A Strange Land”.
Adrian further talked about his guitar playing technique, saying; “My playing, I like to think, I try and feel stuff, and I like the space to play in it. I mean, I try to construct solos with a beginning and end, a little mad flurry, a melodic bit; that’s just the way I kind of think. I hear a solo in my head and then I work out how to play it, usually.
Going on to chat about an unnamed forthcoming solo project, the guitarist said; “I’m very excited about it, but I can’t say. I’m doing a lot of singing, but the person I’m working with, we’re sort of splitting the vocals. But that’ll be coming. I’m very excited about it, but I’m sworn to secrecy at the moment.”
Finally, long-rumoured to have been in line for the job that eventually went to Vivian Campbell, Smith confirmed that he had been in contention for Def Leppard following the death of Steve Clarke in 1991. When asked if that really was the case, a tight-lipped Adrian replied; “Well, emmm… [long pause] I was, yeah. Yeah I was. I’m not sure… I want to write more books; that might be in my next one! [laughing] There’s whole story about that, there’s a whole story about that.”
Read the complete interview at eonmusic, her
