Janick Gers lost his balance and fell during Iron Maiden’s concert on November 20 at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City. A fan video of the moment went viral on the internet.
https://youtu.be/LUMIttpLc7A
Gers is no stranger to stage accidents as he’s quite active during live performances. In September 2019, while swinging and throwing his guitar around as usual at a concert in San Antonio, Texas, he lost his grip and caused the instrument to hit a security guard in the head.
The guitarist’s performance style drew criticism for not aligning with Iron Maiden’s more traditional shows through the years. Radio host Eddie Trunk commented on this in 2009, writing on his blog, ‘I’m sure he’s talented and a good guy, but it’s way over the top and painful to watch that side of the stage. I love some of the things he has written with Maiden and I’m not for a minute saying he should be out of the band, but someone dancing and spinning his guitar just seems so out of place in Maiden.’
In defense, bandmate Adrian Smith told Trunk in a chat, ‘Some people enjoy it. I think it’s interesting to have contrasting styles and different personalities [within] the band. We actually have to be quite disciplined when we play. I mean, I do, because the songs, some of the arrangements are quite complex and we play ‘em very fast, and if I start throwing my guitar around, I just lose the plot, so I don’t. [Janick’s] fine with it, and it’s what he does, and it’s cool.’
Janick Gers became part of Iron Maiden after working with Bruce Dickinson’s 1990 solo album, ‘Tattooed Millionaire.’ He originally joined to replace Smith but remained in the band after his return, as well.
