1990–1999: Crises and comebacks
Steve Harris deeply surprised
by the decision of band's frontman, considered the possibility
of closing the band's activities. He was dissuaded from this intention
by Dave Murray, who suggested finding a new vocalist.
Eight thousand potential successors to Dickinson responded to the management's appeal to submit their candidacy for the position of the group's frontman, of which 1,500 sent professionally recorded vocal recordings for Iron Maiden's compositions.
The most serious candidates for this position were Doogie White, Damian Wilson and Blaze Bayley, previously the vocalist of the group Wolfsbane, which opened Iron Maiden's concerts on the British part of the tour in 1990. Ultimately, Dickinson's replacement was the aforementioned Bayley.
Eight thousand potential successors to Dickinson responded to the management's appeal to submit their candidacy for the position of the group's frontman, of which 1,500 sent professionally recorded vocal recordings for Iron Maiden's compositions.
The most serious candidates for this position were Doogie White, Damian Wilson and Blaze Bayley, previously the vocalist of the group Wolfsbane, which opened Iron Maiden's concerts on the British part of the tour in 1990. Ultimately, Dickinson's replacement was the aforementioned Bayley.
With this lineup, the band recorded the album The X Factor, which signaled a change in the group's musical style, influenced by,
among others, Steve Harris' personal tragedy (the bassist struggled with
family problems).
