It’s a special occasion for Iron Maiden fans — today (Aug. 7) your fearless frontman, and the most heavy metal airline pilot in the world, turns 54. Happy Birthday, Bruce Dickinson!

In this vintage black and white live photo, Dickinson is rocking spandex, long hair, and a belt buckle featuring the band’s legendary mascot Eddie. Bassist Steve Harris joins Dickinson in the shot, holding down the fort with his signature pose — knee up and bass out.

The photo was taken at the Rio Rock Festival in January of 1985. While Maiden’s fashion may have evolved a bit over the past two decades, their live show is as vicious as ever. Their latest U.S. tour run, dubbed ‘Maiden England,’ showcases music from the band’s ‘Seventh Son of a Seventh Son’ era, mixed in with other classic-era tracks.

When not fronting Maiden, Dickinson is a jack of all trades, with hobbies and side careers ranging from piloting airplanes to competitive fencing – a true renaissance man! He also recently appeared on an episode of History TV’s ‘Ice Pilots NWT.’

Dickinson joined Iron Maiden in 1981, replacing Paul Di’Anno. He debuted his recording chops on their landmark 1982 disc ‘The Number of the Beast.’ He left the band in 1993 to pursue a solo career but returned to the helm in 1999. Here’s to many more years, or maybe we should say… up the irons!

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