What Does This Button Do?

An Autobiography

By: Bruce Dickinson

Narrated by: Bruce Dickinson

A long-awaited memoir from the larger-than-life, multifaceted lead vocalist of Iron Maiden, one of the most successful, influential, and enduring rock bands ever.

Pioneers of Britain's nascent rock and metal scene back in the late 1970s, Iron Maiden smashed its way to the top, thanks in no small part to the high-octane performances, operatic singing style, and stage presence of its second but twice-longest-serving lead singer, Bruce Dickinson. As Iron Maiden's front man - first from 1981 to 1993 and then from 1999 to the present - Dickinson has been, and remains, a man of legend.

But OTT front man is just one of the many hats Bruce wears. In addition to being one of the world's most storied and well-respected singers and songwriters, he is an airline captain, aviation entrepreneur, motivational speaker, beer brewer, novelist, radio presenter, and film scriptwriter. He has also competed as a world-class level fencer. Often credited as a genuine polymath, Bruce, in his own words (and handwritten script in the first instance!), sets forth many personal observations guaranteed to inspire curious souls and hard-core fans alike.

Dickinson turns his unbridled creativity, passion, and anarchic humour to reveal some fascinating stories from his life, including his 30 years with Maiden, his solo career, his childhood within the eccentric British school system, his early bands, fatherhood and family, and his recent battle with cancer.

Bold, honest, intelligent, and very funny, his memoir is an up-close look inside the life, heart, and mind of one of the most unique and interesting men in the world - a true icon of rock.

©2017 Bruce Dickinson (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Great read...or listen

More reasons to respect the man are contained within the pages of this book. Excellent and inspiring read. “Nothing in childhood is wasted.” Simply inspired work.

All adventure, no dirty laundry

Bruce's narration added so much value, especially to my appreciation of his adventures in aviation.

What Does This Button Do

I really, really, enjoyed this book from beginning to end 🤘🏻 One of the best if not the Best autobiography I’ve every read Hands Down!!!!

refreshing and entertaining

Run to the hills, Maiden fans. Front-man Bruce Dickinson’s autobiography What Does This Button Do? is fun, relatable, and likable, just like the rock deity himself. Bruce is, after all, a different sort of heavy metal artist, so there is no reason why his book should also not be equally unique. Alongside the tales of an international rock star with travels to Sarajevo, Japan, Rio, Australia, and, heaven forbid, Detroit, Bruce is a brew master, a fencing master, an actor, and, oh yes, an airline pilot. In fact, with a large portion of his book devoted to his extensive pilot’s training, his enthusiasm of flying, and details of all types of planes, his family life is as silent and forgotten as unclaimed luggage.

Autobiographies, particularly those belonging to rock stars, are often filled with the cliched travels and travails of life on the road: cheap hotels, roadside bars, one-night stands, sex, drugs, and, occasionally, a little rock-n-roll magic. Surprisingly, not so much for Bruce and his time in Iron Maiden or even his solo career. Yes, yes, there are the typical hot tub parties and experimentation with hallucinogenic wacky weed within, but for the most part, Bruce lived a straight life, putting all his passion onto the stage, and then later, into the pilot’s seat.

Always a performer, Bruce’s recounts are refreshing and entertaining.
Even during chapters discussing a crushingly-depressing tour to Sarajevo during the height of the Balkan war, and his, thank Eddie, recovery from cancer, his style is open and welcoming. Although mostly linear, the narrative occasionally jumps around at times like an excited teenager anxious to talk about a cool concert or blockbuster movie. Again, and deliberately, Bruce foregoes any mention of his love life; his wives, his children. In his afterword he mentions this book is his tale to tell, and gives his family as much privacy as possible. However, such absences do make significant holes in his timeline.

The best of autobiographies are when the reader feels like the author is speaking to them directly while sharing space at a bar. Bruce does not disappoint. Tragic, engaging, and, real, Bruce is the real deal and enjoys the respect of his fans. Although, I’m sure he’d prefer it if you were drinking a pint of Trooper ale.

Well written, engaging and thoroughly entertaining

Bruce is fantastic as he recounts his life with entertaining narration complete with different voices. Highly recommend! Yes he's the lead singer for Iron Maiden, and while that's great, he's also got so many points of interest about his life. Singer, entrepreneur, commercial airline pilot, champion fencer, cancer survivor. Do yourself a favor and check out this book.

The best autobiography of a musician

A true inspiration in all ways.
Not only for fans, everyone can learn something from this genius.

loved it. wish it would had been 800 pages though

loved it. what a life!
I understand that a book has to be certain size. but I think it would have been better to not cut it so short, theres a lot of stories untold

Incredibly well written and told

I would have given this book a perfect score only if it hadn’t ended. Bruce’s gift of storytelling made me want to hear even more. I honestly hope he narrates something. Anything else because he truly has the gift of gab.

An Amazing Book

This book is read by Bruce himself and is very good. Bruce ‘s writing style is on point and is a very enjoyable read/listen. What I liked most is the underlying narrative Bruce details of “behind the scenes”of things I remember happening through the years. Take for example, the show at the Universal amphitheater where Bruce had the incident with the frosting slip-I was there. And the description of his flight up the Cajon Pass and that entire chapter I’m familiar with the locations. This book has some really funny and witty moments and Bruce’s love for living life to the fullest is most incredible. He sure has had an amazing life so far! Cheers!

Like him even more now

I’ve been a fan of this fella since falling for Iron Maiden in the early 1980’s. Now my wife and adult children are Maiden fans too. It’s hard to describe the joy all the band members exude when you see them live, other than that they love what they do and it’s really obvious. He’s a good lad and it was fun hearing his side of the story and how he was able to balance his many interests and goals while never giving up on the amazing band he helped create. Add great narrator, author, pilot, and adversity recoverer to his accolades. The families post childhood are left out, but I didn’t really want to know that stuff anyhow. Aces high.