In a new Interview with Trunk Nation, Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris talked about the band adding songs from the Blaze Bayley era to the setlist.
When asked about how Bruce reacted to these songs, he said:
“He [Bruce] really likes those songs, so he was really up for it. I think it just mixes the set up a bit; I know those albums are not as well known as some of the other ones, but they’re really good songs, it makes for an interesting set.”
When asked about how he feels about those albums, he said:
“I said at the time that a lot of people in the future will get into those albums more, and maybe understand it a little bit more and maybe give it a chance, and that’s what’s happened.
“Loads of people are really enjoying those albums more now. I think a lot of people can’t get past the fact that we had a different singer. It was one of those things. But it was well-received more in the rest of the world. I think a lot more people are giving it a second chance, if you’d like, actually really enjoying them.”
Earlier Bruce said about Blaze:
“I really like Blaze. I like him just as a human being. He’s a lovely guy.
“I remember going to the management offices and there was a guy, he doesn’t work for management anymore, but he was telling me how great this whole thing was and how brilliant it was going to be.
“I said, ‘Look, he’s got this great gig. Of course, he’s going to take the job. He’s been offered the job. Of course, he’s going to take it.’ I said, ‘Has anybody given any thought to where he’s going to go with the old stuff? Has anyone given any thought to how he is going to manage it? Not just singing, but how are you going to deal with the fan reaction?’
“Because I was surprised it was Blaze. I was delighted for Blaze, but there was a whole bunch of other really good singers out there [Rumored candidates also included Angra’s André Matos and Michael Kiske of Helloween].
“I thought ‘Wow, they could have picked somebody with a voice that could do what my voice did.’ But they picked Blaze. Obviously, they picked somebody different, but that came with its own set of challenges. I just wondered whether anybody in the management was really giving anybody any serious words of truth on how hard this could be.”