It's a big week for rock at the USANA Amphitheatre.
On Wednesday, one of United Concerts' most anticipated shows of the outdoor summer concert season takes place when fabled English heavy metal rockers Iron Maiden come to town.
This is a show that United Concerts president Jim McNeil personally was excited to see. And judging from the early ticket sales, it appears a lot of Utahns are just as excited as he is.
Maiden will be making their first appearance in Utah since March of 1996 when they played at Saltair. It will also make the first time Iron Maiden has played in Utah since Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith rejoined the band more than 10 years ago.
Iron Maiden was supposed to play at USANA in 2005 when Ozzfest came town. Many, however, will remember a much publicized feud between Dickinson and Sharon Osbourne resulted in Maiden dropping off the tour just before the Utah show.
This time around, Iron Maiden is on their Maiden England World Tour, which is supposed closely resemble their 1988 concert video of the same name. That original Maiden England video was in support of the Seventh Son of a Seventh Son album.
Hardcore fans have likely already peeked at the set list for this tour and know that for fans of Maiden's 1980s' Headbanger's Ball era, THIS is the tour that cannot be missed!
Here's a recap of Iron Maiden's "recent" Utah tour stops:
March 21, 1996 at Saltair. With Fear Factory
March 19, 1991 at The Salt Palace. With Anthrax
June 3, 1988 at The Salt Palace. With Guns N Roses
February 8, 1987 at Convention Hall. With Vinnie Vincent Invasion
December 13, 1984 at Salt Palace. With Twisted Sister
June 22, 1983 at Salt Palace
Tickets for Wednesday's show are available at Smith's Tix. http://smithstix.com/events/item/root/iron-maiden
On Friday, the weekend kicks off at USANA with a triple bill straight out of 1981: Journey/Pat Benatar/Loverboy. Journey holds the distinction of being one of only a handful of acts who have sold out USANA, and one of an even fewer number of non-country acts to accomplish that feat. Recently I talked to Journey drummer Deen Castronovo. His highly entertaining interview will be posted later this week.