BRUCE DICKINSON And TANYA O’CALLAGHAN Presented With Keys To City By Albuquerque’s Metalhead Mayor

BRUCE DICKINSON And TANYA O’CALLAGHAN Presented With Keys To City By Albuquerque’s Metalhead Mayor

Albuquerque, N.M. – In a distinctive fusion of civic honor and heavy‑metal flair, Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson and his bassist Tanya O’Callaghan were presented with the keys to the city of Albuquerque by Mayor Tim Keller—a self‑styled “metalhead” and enthusiastic champion of the genre—just before their August 26 concert at the Revel Entertainment Center .

The ceremony, which took place in the shadow of the stage, marked a rare moment of municipal recognition extended to individual musicians touring in the city. Mayor Keller, known for his outspoken love for metal and even past stage introductions at Anthrax and Trivium shows, personally bestowed the symbolic keys, offering a nod to the band’s enduring influence and the cultural value of live music in Albuquerque .

For Dickinson, this local honor came amid an extensive solo tour in support of his album The Mandrake Project, released by BMG on March 1, 2024 . The tour features a robust lineup including Tanya O’Callaghan on bass, Mistheria on keyboards, Dave Moreno on drums, alongside guitarists Philip Näslund and Chris Declercq—remarkably, longtime collaborator Roy “Z” Ramirez is not part of the touring ensemble .

O’Callaghan, already known for her dynamic work with acts like Whitesnake and her activism across social and environmental fronts, has delivered steady and enthusiastic contributions to Dickinson’s solo performances. In interviews, she has praised Dickinson as “a fascinating person” for his multifaceted talents, which span pilot, fencer, author, entrepreneur—and, of course, iconic vocalist .

The setting of the presentation—just before a packed house at the Revel Entertainment Center—underscored the live performance’s energy and the connection between artist and city. Both Dickinson and O’Callaghan received the oversized, ceremonial keys in front of a crowd primed for celebration. Social media posts following the event captured the moment: Dickinson’s Instagram account posts show the pair holding their new relics, emblematic of the city’s embrace .

Mayor Keller’s reputation as a “metalhead mayor” adds a layer of authenticity to the gesture. Since taking office in December 2017, he has leveraged his passion for the genre to support Albuquerque’s metal scene, having previously introduced bands onstage and publicly declared: “I believe in the power of metal!” .

By honoring Dickinson and O’Callaghan, Albuquerque added a memorable chapter to its cultural story—one where civic identity resonates with the energy, community, and power of live heavy metal music. As the duo rolled into another night of performance, they carried with them a tangible symbol of the city’s appreciation—engraved not just on metal, but in memory.