Unexpected Rock Crossover at San Diego Comic-Con

On Thursday night at the Hard Rock Hotel’s Comic-Con Fandom Party in San Diego, Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson joined Billie Joe Armstrong and his cover band the Coverups for a live rendition of Mott the Hoople’s 1972 classic “All the Young Dudes.” The set was part of a dual celebration for Marshall’s new Dookie amp and the annual Comic-Con party. The Coverups had already performed several rock staples—including Cheap Trick’s “Hello There” and the Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated”—before inviting Dickinson onstage.

Bruce Dickinson Joins Billie Joe Armstrong Onstage to Cover "All the Young Dudes" Rolling Stone

The song’s lineage connects both performers. Dickinson first recorded “All the Young Dudes” for his 1990 solo album *Tattooed Millionaire*. Armstrong’s band Green Day has long cited David Bowie—who wrote and originally performed the track—as an influence, even crediting Bowie on Green Day’s 2009 single “21 Guns.” At the San Diego show, Armstrong played his signature red Les Paul while harmonizing with Dickinson, echoing the song’s glam-rock origins.

Rolling Stone

— Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden vocalist (see Verbatim Quote).

Rolling Stone

Separately, Iron Maiden is preparing for its “Run For Your Lives” North American tour, scheduled to begin August 29 and run through September 29.

Bruce Dickinson Joins Billie Joe Armstrong Onstage to Cover "All the Young Dudes"

• “We’ve performed with Green Day quite a lot of times, but we’ve been on separate stages in separate bands,” — Bruce Dickinson

Rolling Stone