Bold moments don’t come much bigger than this: Bruce Dickinson, the legendary lead singer of Iron Maiden, took center stage to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Los Angeles Kings’ home opener. But here’s where it gets controversial—this was no ordinary anthem performance. Despite his powerful delivery, the Kings fell to the Colorado Avalanche with a score of 4-1 at Crypto Arena on Monday.
Draped in a specially designed Kings jersey emblazoned with his own name, Dickinson gave an electrifying performance that recalled his earlier national anthem appearance at a Pittsburgh Steelers game in September. True to his heavy metal roots, he soared through the notoriously challenging line, “O’er the land of the free,” hitting a dramatic high note that fans of both hockey and rock couldn’t help but admire.
Why was Dickinson in the U.S. for these performances? He had just wrapped up a North American fall solo tour promoting his most recent solo album, The Mandrake Project—an artistic journey that showcases his talents beyond Iron Maiden. This made his stateside presence a perfect opportunity to blend his music career with a unique sporting event spotlight.
And this is the part most people miss: Dickinson’s anthem renditions aren’t just showmanship—they bridge worlds, combining the passion of rock with the spirit of American sports. Watch clips of his striking rendition at the Kings’ game below and decide—does this fusion of heavy metal and hockey anthem set a new standard, or does it overshadow the traditional solemnity of the National Anthem?
What do you think? Is Bruce Dickinson’s anthem performance a thrilling way to energize sporting events, or should it remain more traditional? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s spark a lively discussion!
