Bruce Dickinson: What does this button do?
No matter if you like Iron Maiden or his other incarnation in the field of music, it would be hard to deny that Bruce Dickinson is a renaissance man of sorts as he has reinvented himself constantly, be it as a commercial pilot, cancer survivor, author, beer brewer, writer, spearhead of NWOBHM or what else you got.
Given the aforementioned gives whatever the man emits a credibility that a lot of his peers’ lack or at least what their output makes it appear less profound in comparison.
What Does This Button Do? Is not a biography per se but via memoirs it gives an astute account of the evolution of a man that has a lot of interesting facets, which are underpinned by a passion to go beyond of what most people would be satisfied with.
The book is not an old world equivalent to The Dirt or anything remotely similar. Despite being borderline forensic when it comes to detailing some of his personal trials and tribulations, he refrains from shedding light on petty disputes, ex-partners, celebrity friends and foes or inner and outer band related rivalries. Bruce is much better than having to rely on such antics.
The beauty of the book is that Dickinson has mastered the craft of telling by omitting and one gets quickly what he implicitly tells in between the lines.
One cannot help but feel that the tome is also an invitation to enter the world of Bruce Dickinson, i.e. not a fantasy wanky rock star world but access to the realm of a salt of the earth guy who applies himself to whatever he feels passionate about.
The fact that Dickinson proves to be a good and witty writer certainly aids in eliciting smiles and the occasional laughter, which adds a light heartedness that goes amiss with the literary emissions of his peers.
An inspiring, entertaining, thoughtful and genuinely good read that is devoid of self-aggrandising grandeur and adds yet another dimension to an agile man whose journey has had many avenues and is far from over.
