It's an interesting discussion. I mean, I Love Classic Maiden with Paul. I became a fan with Killers and the s/t. album. The energy that they propelled from the stage is usurpassed by any other band from that era. Bruce brought that enormous extra range and stage presence (which Paul absolutely wasn't lacking) to the band. But Paul was at the his limit as far as growth is concerned. The argument, however, that he was constantly boozed up or whatever doesn't really hold water with me, I mean, come on, they pretty much all were pretty boozed up half of the time, just not before the gig. The thing is, they had a management and a bassplayer who saw the BIG picture and were shooting for the highest level and some get that, and are able to follow along for that ride and some just don't. Look at their touring schedules in those years, my God. The were being worked to Death. And it was all for the greater good in the end, but history is full of bandmembers that are left by the wayside when ambition kicks in.
Look at Beast over Hammersmith with Clive Burr still in the drumseat. I mean I love Nicko, but Maiden will NEVER, never, never achieve that same groove anymore without Clive.