Former Iron Maiden and Wolfsbane singer Blaze Bayley returns home to the Midlands for a gig this weekend – after flying back from a Russian biker festival the night before.

Birmingham-born Bayley will be appearing at the first ever dedicated British Rock & Metal Fest at JB’s in Dudley on Saturday (June 28).

The all-day festival is the brainchild of Steve Slater from Dudley, lead guitarist with reformed 80s metallers Rekuiem, who are also on the bill, along with Oxzide, Heresy, Orius, Hostile, Abigail’s Mercy, Spit Like This, Holy Rage, and Voodoo Six.

After singing with Tamworth-based Wolfsbane from 1985-1993, Bayley was called up to replace Bruce Dickinson in Iron Maiden, recording two albums with the band and touring all over the world in front of huge audiences.

Blaze Bayley is currently on a world tour promoting his latest album The Man Who Would Not Die.

His new band line-up – Nico Bermudez and James Walsh on dual lead guitars, Dave Bermudez on bass and Lawrence Paterson on drums – will perform not only the older classics but also brand new material for the first time at the fest.

* See Saturday’s Express & Star ‘Weekend’ supplement for an exclusive interview with Blaze ahead of his JB’s appearance.

• The British Rock & Metal Fest is at JB’s in Dudley on Saturday June 28, from 1pm-2.30am including a rock/metal disco for anyone with any energy left!
• Tickets are £10 in advance. For more details go to www.jbsdudley.co.uk and www.britishrockandmetalfestival.com.