“They’re 16 bars, and that’s it. There’s no extended solos”: Adrian Smith on why making music outside of Iron Maiden lets him stretch his soloing wings

Adrian Smith says his work alongside Richie Kotzen is more freeing than life in Iron Maiden, as he has more room to express himself.

The Jackson signature artist joined Maiden in 1980, five years into their existence, and has remained with them ever since, save for a spell away during the 1990s when he was in the running to join Def Leppard. During that time, he's proved an invaluable figure.

But though he and Richie Kotzen come from very different worlds – Smith says he learned to play to get girls, in contrast to Kotzen’s want to master the craft – the pair have proved a formidable partnership in the eponymous duo, Smith/Kotzen.

“Richie and I are very different,” he says in the new issue of Guitarist. “I’ve been playing in Iron Maiden for such a long time, and the solos are part of the song. Almost without exception, they’re 16 bars, and that’s it. There’s no extended solos.”

Outside of Maiden, then, he’s able to solo outside of those rigid constraints. Though cuts like his Powersalve solo – recorded while hungover, no less – showcase his chops, he prefers being able to spread his wings.

“Most of the guitar solos I play with Maiden [live] are the same as on the record because that’s what people want to hear, especially with old stuff like The Trooper,” he adds. “But the way Richie plays is much more improvisational, and it’s encouraged me to be more like that in S/K.”

Smith/Kotzen - Got A Hold On Me (Live) (Official Video) - YouTube

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He admits that keeping up with Kotzen – whose signature Strat was finally rolled out worldwide last summer – isn’t easy. But he’s embraced the challenge.

“I’m getting more confident about branching out,” he says. “I’ve only got three solos in the whole set that I play the same every night. The rest is off the top of my head.”

The pair welcomed a surprise guest to join them on the Maiden classic, Wasted Years, in London recently, as they continue to promote their second album, Black Light/White Noise.

Elsewhere, Smith has become the latest big-name player to spend some time with Kirk Hammett’s iconic ‘Greeny’ Les Paul – and promptly fell in love with it – while Kotzen revealed why he didn’t get the Nine Inch Nails gig, despite being the best man for the job.

The latest issue of Guitarist is out now, and features a bumper celebration for the Telecaster’s 75th anniversary, including a deep-dive into the new anniversary models, as well as a new interview with Eric Johnson.

Head to Magazines Direct to pick up a copy.