"We are Bigger and More Successful Than in the '80s"
"It would affect artists who have relationship with only their record labels and depend on record sales and not their fans," he said. "Two decades ago, the record companies had a monopoly over the music industry, but now there is more competition and democracy. Maybe the music industry is heading back to the '20s and '30s, where music was played live without record companies."As for the bootleg recordings and merchandise of the band that are traded on the 'Net, Dickinson said, "Again it depends on our relationship with our fans. We are aware that our unofficial recordings of our live shows are often downloaded on the net and some of them are pretty good.
"The fans also buy the official merchandise, which we make sure are quality stuff. However, what we do not believe is people who rip off our fans and the band with poor quality bootleg recordings and merchandise."
On the relevance of the band after 30 years on the road, Dickinson said, "Though this tour is about having a retrospective look, we are not a nostalgia act. This tour is also for the young fans between 16-25 years who have never seen us. We are bigger and more successful than in the '80s. As for the new music, you can't slag off any person's music or taste."