50 Years Of Iron Maiden
The story behind the iconic heavy metal band and their everlasting influence
The Origins of Iron Maiden
The iconic metal band was created on Christmas Day in 1975 when bassist Steve Harris (left) formed the group after leaving his previous band, Smiler.
In a 1979 interview with Sounds, Harris said he chose the name after seeing the film 'The Man In The Iron Mask' in which a torture device called the "Iron Maiden" is used.
The original line-up would go through many changes before the band's first album in 1980. It initially consisted of Paul Day on vocals, Dave Sullivan and Terry Rance on guitars and Ron "Rebel" Matthews on the drums. Harris would be the only member who made it to Maiden's debut album, 'Iron Maiden' in 1980.
Iron Maiden formed at the Cart and Horses in Stratford, East London. The band played many of their first gigs there and the pub has proudly proclaimed its title of "The Birthplace of Iron Maiden" since, and has sold Maiden merchandise, including Maiden's "Trooper Beer".
Harris was part of two bands before Iron Maiden; Gypsy Kiss and Smiler. Both bands played a huge part in shaping his creative style. Steve Harris had a connection to the Cart and Horses from 1973 thanks to three gigs there with Gypsy Kiss.
The band would start to take shape over the coming years but wouldn't find a consistent line-up until 1982 after they'd produced two albums.
Steve Harris Image Credit: Al Case via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Cart and Horses Images Credit: Daniel Mulhern
Iron Maiden cover band 'Hi On Maiden' perform 'Revelations' at the Cart and Horses. Credit: Daniel Mulhern
Iron Maiden cover band 'Hi On Maiden' perform 'Revelations' at the Cart and Horses. Credit: Daniel Mulhern
'Remember Tomorrow': The Paul Di'Anno Era
In 1978 Di'Anno joined the band, and would work with Maiden for their first two albums before being replaced by Bruce Dickinson.
Di'Anno offered something different to the majority of metal vocalists, offering a completely different sound to what the band would later be known for.
Radiorogue said: "With a voice that combined grit and melody, he set the stage for a new era of music that was loud, proud, and unapologetically raw."
In 1980, the band produced their first studio album, aptly named 'Iron Maiden'. Despite it having a completely different sound to later Maiden albums, it still produced some fan favourite tracks such as 'Iron Maiden', 'Phantom of the Opera' and 'Remember Tomorrow'.
The album produced by Will Malone faced a mixed reaction when first released due to its 'unpolished' and 'punkish' sound, according to Loudwire.
Di'Anno told Loudwire:“If 'Iron Maiden' actually had a better production, I don’t think there’d be another album around to touch it for 1,000 years.
“But we were so naïve, we didn’t know what we was doing.”
The album cover set a precedent for every Maiden album, as the band's skeletal mascot 'Eddie' features on each cover.
The band's second studio album was released on February 2nd 1981 and was produced by Martin Birch.
Birch would go on to produce every Maiden album for the next 13 years with his last studio album being 'Fear of the Dark' in 1992.
He sadly passed away in 2020 and the band members paid tribute to him on the Iron Maiden website.
'Killers' would go on to be a fan favourite album, and include beloved tracks such as 'Wrathchild', 'Murders in the Rue Morgue' and 'Killers'. Harris was credited for every song on the album but shared credit with Di'Anno for the title track.
The critics' reaction to 'Killers' was less than stellar at the time of its release, receiving a one star review from Sounds Magazine which referred to the album as “well dodgy, more of a failure than a triumph.”
The album is far better received now, being seen as a fan favourite and receiving strong reviews from Louder and Subjective Sounds in recent years.
'Killers' would be Di'Anno's last album with the band as he would be replaced by metal icon Bruce Dickinson.
Di'Anno's time at Maiden would undoubtedly be the peak of his career, but he went on to produce several albums both on his own and with bands such as Battlezone, Praying Mantis and Killers.
He never held a grudge against the band for replacing him, and told Rock Hard that he was looked after by them.
Di'Anno sadly passed away on October 21st 2024, with each of the band members paying tribute to their former singer.
In a statement published on the bands website, Steve Harris said: “I was in touch with him only recently as we texted each other about West Ham and their ups and downs.
"At least he was still gigging until recently, it was something that kept him going, to be out there whenever he could. He will be missed by us all. Rest in peace mate."
Iron Maiden's debut album. Credit: el_silver via Flickr (CC BY 2.0). Cover art by Derek Riggs.
Iron Maiden's debut album. Credit: el_silver via Flickr (CC BY 2.0). Cover art by Derek Riggs.
'Killers Eddie' from the bands second album. Credit: duncan cumming via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)
'Killers Eddie' from the bands second album. Credit: duncan cumming via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Paul Di'Anno in 2010. Credit: megathud via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Paul Di'Anno in 2010. Credit: megathud via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
The arrival of Bruce Dickinson changed everything for the band.
On September 26th 1981 Dickinson joined the band, leaving his previous heavy metal band, Samson.
Heavy metal journalist Malcolm Dome wrote at Loudersound of how Dickinson's arrival was scrutinised at the time.
He said: "A lot of Maiden fans decried the loss of Di’Anno, and believed the band were heading for disaster."
Dickinson would get his chance to prove himself on November 15th in London as Maiden's hometown fans watched on.
Dome said: "Of course, the shadow of his predecessor loomed large for much of the night, but there were clear signs that he could take Maiden up a notch or two."
All naysayers were eventually silenced when the band released 'Number of the Beast' in March 1982 which would become one of the most iconic metal albums of all time.
Image Credit: CO1867 via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
"They did it better, and with more authenticity that their fans can connect to."
Douglas Helvering
Composer and Music expert Douglas Helvering (Daily Doug via YouTube) talks Iron Maiden.
Meet The Band
Steve Harris
Bass Guitarist
Harris is the only original band member still with the group. He is the bass player and has written and composed the vast majority of Maiden's classics. Harris is a huge West Ham fan and their badge can be seen on his bass. As Maiden's lead songwriter, Harris is responsible for classics such as 'Number of the Beast', 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' and 'Rime Of The Ancient Mariner'.
Image Credit: dr_zoidberg via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Bruce Dickinson
Singer
Dickinson has had two stints with the band, he left in 1993 to pursue a solo career but re-joined in 1999. He is well known for his operatic voice and energetic live performances. Dickinson wrote what is possibly Maiden's most ambitious song, 'Empire of the Clouds'; an 18 minute song about an airship crash with blends of piano, guitar and operatic vocals throughout.
Image Credit: ceedub13 via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Dave Murray
Guitarist
Murray joined Maiden in 1976, making him the longest serving member after Harris. He left shortly after, before re-joining in 1978. The only Maiden song solely credited to Murray is 'Charlotte the Harlot' from the debut album, but he co-wrote many popular songs too.
Image Credit: ross_cowan_ via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Adrian Smith
Guitarist
Smith joined the band in 1980, left in 1990 before rejoining with Dickinson in 1999.
Smith is responsible for incredibly popular Maiden songs such as 'Wasted Years' and '2 Minutes to Midnight'.
Image Credit: Raph_PH via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Nicko McBrain
Drummer
McBrain joined the band in 1982 and lasted 42 years before retiring in 2024. Since his iconic opening to 'Where Eagles Dare' in 1983 he was ever-present in the band and announced that he will continue to be a part of Iron Maiden projects despite being away from the drumkit.
Image Credit: James McCloskey via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Janick Gers
Guitarist
Gers joined the band in 1990, replacing Adrian Smith. Since then Maiden have been well known for having three guitarists.
His influence can be seen in the explosive 'Be Quick or Be Dead', but also in the slower paced 'Como Estais Amigos', both of which he co-wrote.
Image Credit: Raph_PH via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Futureal: The Blaze Bayley era
After Bruce Dickinson left the band in 1993, Iron Maiden decided to bring in a new style of vocalist. Blaze Bayley said he never expected to join Iron Maiden.
He said: "They started having auditions, you could send tapes in."
Maiden already were familiar with Bayley following their tour with his band, Wolfsbane.
He said: "It was one of the best tours ever, I got to know the guys in the band and it gave me a small advantage but I had to audition like everyone else.
"I never expected to join Iron Maiden because my voice was so different to Bruce Dickinson's. He's a legendary vocalist and he's got incredible songs that are culturally significant.
"After so many years it became clear they wanted a different voice. They could've got a lot of great frontmen that sounded a lot like Bruce, but they decided to go a different way."
Blaze auditioned with about ten Iron Maiden songs which he said he 'knew backwards'.
"I thought for an hour, I am the lead singer of Iron Maiden. It was a really great afternoon but I never, never thought that they would choose me."
Bayley would go on to produce two albums with the band, 'The X Factor' and 'Virtual XI'.
'The X Factor' would introduce a darker and more haunting sound than ever before for the band.
Steve Harris was going through a dark time in his life and it could easily be seen through the songs, which told stories of war, loss and desperation.
'Virtual XI' would be a short album, only eight songs and is widely seen as the band's weakest album by fans. It had a lighter and more progressive sound than its predecessor, and would sow the seeds for what would come after Maiden's reunion.
Both albums would faced mixed responses, but produced classic Maiden songs such as 'Sign Of The Cross' and 'The Clansman'.
Over 30 years later songs such as 'Como Estais Amigos' and 'Futureal' from 'Virtual XI' are mainstays in Bayley's setlists, becoming cult classics among the Maiden fanbase.
Christian, an Iron Maiden fan criticised the Maiden fanbase for 'punching down' on Bayley and not giving him a chance.
Bayley said: "You can see on 'The X Factor' and 'Virtual XI' that it marks the beginning of the progressive era of Iron Maiden."
Bayley would leave the band after Dickinson's return in 1999, but then had a successful solo career. Bayley is still touring and producing new songs and has gained a cult following from his time with Maiden.
Blaze Bayley talks through his time in Iron Maiden and solo career
Blaze Bayley talks through his time in Iron Maiden and solo career
Image Credit: Deuz57 via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Brave New World album cover. Credit: el_silver via Flickr (CC BY 2.0). Cover Art by Derek Riggs.
Brave New World album cover. Credit: el_silver via Flickr (CC BY 2.0). Cover Art by Derek Riggs.
Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Janick Gers. Image Credit: adels via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Janick Gers. Image Credit: adels via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
'Somewhere Back In Time' plane. Image Credit: John via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
'Somewhere Back In Time' plane. Image Credit: John via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Brave New World: The Reunion
In 1999 Iron Maiden would reunite as Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickinson re-joined the band.
Blaze Bayley said: "Everybody had a reunion at the time.
"Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, all the major old bands got back together."
Their next album in 2000, 'Brave New World' was a smash hit. It introduced a new progressive sound that Maiden would be known for across the 2000s whilst keeping fast paced songs like 'The Wickerman' to the delight of their older fans.
A 2000 Kerrang review gave the album a perfect 100/100 rating, calling it Maiden's finest album.
They said: "The fact of the matter is that Maiden, for the first time in a good 15 years, sound genuinely exciting once more."
Maiden's Progressive era
Since the band's reunion, they have produced five studio albums, each with a completely different sound to their classic albums.
Maiden started writing more progressive, longer songs, as well as longer albums in more recent years with 'Book Of Souls' and 'Senjutsu'.
Music expert, Douglas Helvering said: "As the band have matured there's not as much of a sharp edge in their playing, it's a more rounded and warm sound."
Helvering also appreciated the band's consistency in having guitar solos in nearly every song, varying between the three guitarists.
Ultimately Maiden's new sound worked for them as they reached a whole new generation of metal fans who grew up listening to the likes of 'Brave New World' and 'Dance Of Death'.
Despite this, Maiden's biggest success since reunion would be their live shows.
Image Credit: adels via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Flight 666
In 2008 Iron Maiden decided to make their 'Somewhere Back in Time' tour a memorable one. Taking advantage of Bruce Dickinson's pilot licence, they flew across the planet in 45 days.
The band travelled 50,000 miles and played 23 concerts in that time, whilst producing a film called 'Flight 666' documenting the tour.
The documentary won the Juno 'Music DVD of the year' award and got 8.3 stars on IMDB, proving to be a huge success.
Image Credit: John via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Iron Maiden fan Christian talks through the live experience at a Maiden concert.
Iron Maiden fan Christian talks through the live experience at a Maiden concert.
The Days Of Future Past: So what's next?
Iron Maiden will celebrate their 50th anniversary with the 'Run For Your Lives' tour. It will start this Summer and cover the first nine albums.
Bruce Dickinson said: "This is a tour that’s gonna put a smile on your face and a cheer in your throat. If you’ve seen us before, then get ready to take that experience to a whole new level."
The band are also producing a book, 'Infinite Dreams' which will tell the story of the band from 1975 to modern day.
The band seemingly show no sign of stopping even after 50 years and 17 studio albums.
In that time they have changed the metal landscape forever, and they have inspired millions worldwide.
For many, there will never be another band like Iron Maiden.
Image Credit: Vladimir via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
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