Dennis Stratton Interview

Dennis Stratton is a classic, living and breathing case of a person who grew up and loved East London and its pride: West Ham! Dennis visited Greece for a concert; a tribute to the early Maiden years and Rockpages invites him to the magazine’s headquarters and discuss with him all about those days back in the 70s when Maiden started and the punk movement was all over England. Dennis clarifies what really happened with his dismissal of the band; who was responsible for it and many other interesting topics. At the end of our conversation, we allowed Dennis to drink his beer although it must have been a little bit warm by that point. But…a good beer is always a good beer…right?
Interview: Sakis Nikas – Yiannis Dolas

Ο Dennis Stratton είναι ένα ζωντανό, κλασικό παράδειγμα ενός ατόμου που μεγάλωσε και αγάπησε το Ανατολικό Λονδίνο και φυσικά το καμάρι του East End, την West Ham! Με την ευκαιρία της επίσκεψης του στη χώρα μας για ένα live-φόρο τιμής στα πρώιμα χρόνια των Maiden, τον βάζουμε στην αναπαυτική καρέκλα των headquarters του Rockpages και γυρίζουμε πίσω στη δεκαετία του 70, τότε που ξεκινούσαν οι Maiden και το punk κίνημα ήταν παντού. Μαθαίνουμε επίσης τι ακριβώς συνέβη με την απόλυση του από τη Σιδηρά Παρθένο, ποιος ήταν υπεύθυνος για αυτή και άλλα πολλά. Στο τέλος της συνέντευξης αφήσαμε τον Dennis να απολαύσει τη μπύρα του η οποία μάλλον είχε ζεσταθεί λιγάκι...
Συνέντευξη: Σάκης Νίκας – Γιάννης Δόλας

This video contains copyright audio and video material. RockpagesTV doesn't own the copyright and only uses the following footage for reference:

VIDEO:

London On Film: The East End produced by BBC Four

Farewell Boleyn: The '70s produced for West Ham United FC

The History Of Iron Maiden - part 1: The Early Days, released by EMI in 2004

Iron Maiden - Running Free, performed at Top Of The Pops, 1980

Iron Maiden - Women In Uniform, music video released by EMI

Praying Mantis - Can't See The Angels, music video released by Pony Canyon

Praying Mattis - Letting Go, music video released by Pony Canyon

Dennis Stratton & The Clairvoyants - "Phantom Of The Opera" uploaded on YouTube by PunksNotDeadGR

AUDIO:
The Cockney Rejects - We Can Do Anything, from the album "Greatest Hits II" released by EMI

Iron Maiden - Killers, from the album "Killers" released by EMI

[theddie]

I saw Dennis walking outside the O2 to see Maiden in August 2018. I asked him for selfie, shook his hand, couldn't believe my luck. What a nice fella!

[dave]

LEGEND.... unforgettable tone and feeling, his solos make the hairs stand up!, Thank you Dennis, you contributed more to Maiden than anyone knows.

[blacksabbath]

First 2 Maiden albums have always been my favorites out of all of them.

[musicmusic]

i always had the impression stratton had a huge influence on them early songs, the way he talks and speaks, he seems like a guy with a really good i.q, intelligent musician.

[Milehighshred]

Glad to see Dennis kept the music career going after Maiden.

[jimmysaboter]

finally an interview with Dennis Stratton! Thanks for that!

[ioannist.]

Dennis is older than the rest of the band and it was a matter of time, back then, to leave Iron Maiden. However, he deserved to record and tour for Killers album. I mean, this guy was there, rehearsing all these songs.

[pauldianno]

Dennis is awesome. Love the first album!!! my favorite Maiden era has always been 1978-1985. The Soundhouse Tapes, All the early pub gigs, The first 5 Maiden albums. Its all amazing...people like Dennis Stratton, Tony Parsons, Doug Sampson are just as responsible for that classic maiden sound as Steve Harris, Paul Di'anno, Clive Burr, Dave Murry, Adrian Smith, Bruce & Nicko are.

[MetalMilitiaRiffs]

What an awesome guitar player. Always loved his phrasing and vibrato

[Oz]

Always a pleasure to listen to Mr. Stratton

[korhansoydan]

I can never forget the first time that I heard the iconic first solo of Strange World. That solo is smt special. Thank you Dennis, for all the amazing solos, lovely harmonies and great backing vocals (esp on Phantom Of The Opera).

[kimelks]

Met Dennis at Cart n Horses when he brought MaidenUnited1980 there .. was great to hear stories of his life and Maiden history.. Inc him owning Cart in the early days ... lovely man!

[rodneysaunders]

Thank you Dennis for your contributions to my favorite band.

[farazkhan-shls]

you have no idea sir what an amazing player you have been.

i m 27 i just discovered iron maiden 1 year ago.

and 2 days ago i discovered that it was you on the first two albums...
i m crazy about stuffs you have recorded and played .

You sir are a legend.


if i were in your place right now, believe me i 'd be crying for the stuffs i had written in making iron maiden what it is today...
Huge respect for you sir

[jacekkowalczyk]

Up the Irons! Dennis is a very nice person, great to listen about history

[_OOTP_]

Really enjoyed this video. Dennis seems to be a properly humble chap, and a great storyteller.
What a guy!
I would have loved to have heard his contributions to "Killers".

[rajarahman]

DID NOT KNOW ABOUT ROD MAKING DENNIS FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE in Maiden, just coz he was listening to other forms of music. Did Dennis, listening to other forms of music, make Rod think that Dennis had influence to change Maidens musical direction. Who knows. I listen to Kate Bush, Boney M. Also listen and go to see Dumpys Rusty Nuts, Exploited, Bad Brains, Discharge, D R I and a thousand others but I do get judged, sometimes. I used to make compilation tapes to play at work. Marvin Gaye next to Sham 69, Bad Manners next to Maiden, Olivia Newton John next to Exploited, Specials next to Trouble, Sister Sledge next to Motörhead and so on. The floor banter was hilarious. Usual expression was W T F. YOUR NUTS. I only saw Maiden with Dennis twice and I was well impressed. Oh well, life goes on I suppose. Good luck Dennis.

[alvin]

Played on one the greatest rock debut albums ever 👍🎸🎸

[biorythmicshifter]

Adrian is an exceptional player and songwriter can you blame them?... He was also Dave’s best friend as kids, that’s a powerful influence in itself. I won’t question Steve Harris’s decisions, he is Iron Maiden.

[auggierobledo]

to this day i still wonder what kind of music would have been created with Dennis in the band...