Lady Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, has never hidden her deep love for rock music. While the pop icon is best known for chart-topping hits like 'Bad Romance,' 'Poker Face,' and 'Shallow,' her musical roots are firmly planted in the world of rock and metal. Over the years, she has cited Queen as a major influence, channeled David Bowie and Nine Inch Nails on her 2025 album Mayhem, and even shared a chaotic but unforgettable Grammys stage with Metallica in 2017. Yet, among all the rock legends she admires, one band holds a special place in her heart: Iron Maiden.
Gaga first publicly gushed about the British heavy metal titans in a 2011 interview with Rolling Stone. She had attended an Iron Maiden concert earlier that week and was visibly inspired by the experience. “It was just awesome,” she said, recalling how she started the night in a corporate box but soon rushed down to the floor when the band launched into 'The Number of the Beast.' She danced and sang with the crowd, describing the atmosphere as “absolute no judgment, no prejudice, [just] freedom and love for music.”
What struck Gaga most was the relationship between Iron Maiden and their fans. “The devotion of the fans moving in unison, pumping their fists, watching the show, when I see that, I see the paradigm for my future and the relationship I want to have with my fans,” she explained. “Iron Maiden’s never had a hit song, and they tour stadiums around the world, and their fans live, breathe and die for Maiden, and that is my dream. That is my dream.”
This admiration was not a one-time fluke. In 2015, Gaga appeared on the cover of CR Fashion Book wearing a vintage 'Number of the Beast' T-shirt. She proudly tweeted, “I wore my own personal Number Of The Beast tee-shirt on a major fashion cover. I’m so proud to be a fan.” In the accompanying interview, she reiterated her respect for the band: “They’re one of the greatest rock bands in history, in my opinion. Some people really don’t know the importance of metal and the scope of it. Those guys were filling stadiums, and they still are.”
Gaga even went so far as to reject comparisons to Madonna. “I always used to say to people, when they would say, ‘Oh, she’s the next Madonna.’ No, I’m the next Iron Maiden.” This bold statement highlights how deeply the metal band’s ethos resonated with her own artistic vision: a focus on theatricality, fan devotion, and musical integrity over commercial radio success.
The appreciation was mutual. Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson responded to Gaga’s comments, telling Corus Radio: “I think she’s great, and I agree with her: she’s not the next Madonna; she’s way better than that. First of all, she can sing – she’s got a belter of a voice. She’s a really good instrumentalist. And, I mean, she’s got a great sense of drama. And anybody that could turn up to an awards ceremony dressed as a bacon sandwich gets my vote. I mean, she’s great.”
Iron Maiden’s bassist and founder Steve Harris also recalled meeting Gaga at the 2011 concert. In an interview with Metal Hammer in 2024, Harris said, “Yeah, she came to one of our gigs. My youngest, Maisie, she’s 20 now, but she was pretty young at the time; she had her little mates there and she had her photo done with her. I didn’t talk to her much. I just said hello and asked if she minded having a photo with my daughter. And my daughter said: ‘Daddy, why has she got no clothes on?’ She didn’t have much covering her up! I said, 'I've got no idea!'”
While the two acts have never collaborated musically, their mutual respect is a testament to the unifying power of great music. Gaga’s own career, marked by theatrical tours, a devoted fanbase (the ‘Little Monsters’), and a refusal to be pigeonholed, mirrors the very qualities she admires in Iron Maiden. The heavy metal legends, who have sold over 100 million records worldwide and continue to headline stadiums, represent a model of longevity and authenticity that Gaga aspires to emulate.
Iron Maiden’s influence on Gaga is also evident in her stage presence and fashion. Her elaborate costumes, dramatic storytelling, and emphasis on live performance owe a debt to the theatrical elements of metal, particularly Iron Maiden’s iconic mascot Eddie and their epic stage sets. Gaga’s 2020 Chromatica Ball tour featured a castle-like stage and costume changes that echoed the grandiose productions of Maiden’s legacy tours.
Beyond the professional admiration, Gaga’s love for Iron Maiden is deeply personal. She has described attending their concerts as a fan, not a celebrity, and finding a sense of community that transcends fame. “It doesn’t matter who you are; you don’t need to know anything about music to love it,” she said of the Maiden crowd. “Everybody was hugging me, high-fiving, fist-pumps in the air.”
This unlikely bond between a pop superstar and a heavy metal band has delighted fans of both genres. It also highlights how great music can break down barriers and create common ground. Gaga’s dream of inspiring the same level of devotion in her own fans as Iron Maiden does in theirs is a goal she continues to pursue with each new album and tour.
In the years since her first public declaration of love for Iron Maiden, Gaga has only grown more outspoken about her rock influences. Her 2025 album Mayhem was celebrated for its industrial and glam rock sounds, drawing comparisons to Nine Inch Nails and David Bowie. She has also performed covers of classic rock songs, including a rendition of 'The Sound of Silence' with Metallica at the Grammys.
Iron Maiden, meanwhile, remains active, releasing new music and touring globally. Their 2024 album Senjutsu was a critical and commercial success, proving that heavy metal can still command massive audiences. The band’s dedication to their craft and fans is exactly what Gaga admires most.
As Gaga continues to evolve as an artist, her respect for Iron Maiden serves as a reminder that true artistry is about connecting with people, not just topping the charts. The pop star who once declared she was “the next Iron Maiden” has indeed carved a unique path, blending pop, rock, and theater into a career that inspires millions. And like Maiden, she hopes to have fans who will “live, breathe, and die” for her music.
Source: Yahoo Entertainment News