Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith recently opened up about his decision to leave the band in 1990 and his complete disconnection from the group during his nine-year absence. This was reported in Forbes.
Smith’s comments came in response to a question about whether he was aware of what was happening behind the scenes in Iron Maiden during his time away from the band.
“When I parted company from the band, I didn’t really follow them,” Smith said. “I broke away and I got married and got a house and did all that stuff. I was sort of catching up on real life, started having a family. And grew up a bit and started doing other things.”
The guitarist explained how he eventually found his way back to music and ultimately rejoined Iron Maiden in 1999.
“Then I picked up my musical career and started writing and working with different people and did a couple of solo albums, ended up playing with Bruce [Dickinson’s solo project] and then ended up back in the band,” he continued. “But yeah, you do get a different perspective when you’re not involved in something and then you come back. That was the great thing about coming back in 1999, coming back with a new energy and a new vision for it really, a fresh start.”
Smith’s departure from Iron Maiden marked the end of an era for the band. It also marked the beginning of a significant personal journey for the guitarist. His decision to prioritize family life over his musical career reflected a mature choice that many musicians struggle with throughout their careers.
Smith departed after contributing to the 1990 album No Prayer for the Dying. This departure came amid tensions over the band’s shift to a three-guitar lineup with Janick Gers. The addition of Gers created internal dynamics that ultimately led to Smith’s decision to step away from the group he had helped define throughout the 1980s.
During his time away from Iron Maiden, Smith focused on developing his musical identity outside the constraints of the heavy metal giants. His solo albums included Silver and Gold (1996) and Kaleidoscope (1997). These albums showcased his ability to blend rock and blues influences in a more personal musical direction.
Smith’s collaboration with Bruce Dickinson during the latter’s solo career proved to be a crucial stepping stone back to Iron Maiden. This partnership allowed both musicians to explore different creative territories while maintaining their connection to the band’s legacy.
His return in 1999 coincided with Dickinson’s rejoining. This created a powerful reunion that revitalized the band for the Brave New World album and subsequent tours. This comeback marked one of the most successful periods in Iron Maiden’s lengthy career. It proved that sometimes stepping away can lead to even greater artistic achievements.
