Speaking as a REALLY OLD maiden fan? It's all been done.
Sad but true.
I saw YOUNG Bruce (in his absolute prime) on the "Beast on the Road" tour in 1982. They were second on the bill, behind the Scorpions, who were touring the "Blackout" album. I was a huge Scorpions fan and knew jack about Maiden, except for the fact that I had bought the "Beast" album...and I loved it. The energy that Bruce brought to Harris' songwriting was a force to be reckoned with.
They ignored (for the most part) the entire DiAnno period. Two songs: Wrathchild and Iron Maiden. The rest of the set was the Beast album. Gangland was the only song that never got played.
Bruce hit every scream true to the recorded record- and that is REALLY saying something.
As a Scorpions fan (I WAS there to see them after all) I was left with the feeling...how on earth do Klaus and Rudi respond?
Suffice to say: the response was satisfying. I (to this day) remain perturbed that "China White" (from "Blackout") never got a live treatment. Other than that? It's safe to say that 90% of the people walked away to go and find out more about this "NEW" band- Iron Maiden. I saw the next three tours after that... but Bruce was burnt by then.
Nothing will EVER touch that evening in the Kinsmen Fieldhouse. EVER. There are thousands of people in cyberspace claiming to have been at this gig (ca. 6000 tickets sold). It was truly THAT epic. Enough said.
I seriously doubt that Mr. Dickinson even remembers the show.
As someone in his position at that time? Another day, another city?
Tour logs from the period would be interesting to read.