Bruce Dickinson before he was famous

Before Iron Maiden, Bruce Dickinson spent six months in the Territorial Army.

The nobody years

1970s Six months in uniform
After his A-levels, he joined the Territorial Army for six months.
He co-founded the school wargames society and joined the cadet force. Source
1970s A history student
He studied history at Queen Mary College, calling the degree a cover story.
He was expelled from Oundle over a prank involving the headmaster's dinner. Source
1979 The name was Bruce Bruce
In Samson, he sang under the stage name Bruce Bruce.
He sang for Samson under the stage name Bruce Bruce. Source
1981 The Iron Maiden audition
In September 1981, he auditioned for Iron Maiden.
In September 1981 he auditioned for Iron Maiden, replacing Paul Di'Anno. Source
1958
Was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, to teenage parents. Source
1950s
He was raised by his grandparents; his grandfather worked the coal face at the local pit. Source
1960s
At about six he moved to Sheffield. Source
1971
At thirteen he went to Oundle, a boarding school, where older boys bullied him. Source
1976
Back in Sheffield, his first band split soon after its first pub gig. Source
1970s
After his A-levels he spent six months in the Territorial Army. Source
1970s
He studied history at Queen Mary College in London and called the degree a cover story. Source