|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZIRON MAIDENUK heavy metal group formed in midst of punk '76 by bassist Steve Harris (b 12 March '57, Leytonstone, London); kept on in face of fashion with changing lineup until settling on nucleus of guitarist Dave Murray (b 23 Dec. '58, Clapham, London) from local group Urchin, vocalist Paul Di'anno (b 17 May '59, Chingford, Essex), drummer Doug Sampson. Group profited from 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal' movement peddled by Sounds mag, encouraging new young bands replacing tax exiles Deep Purple, Judas Priest etc to supply live music to HM fans. Tracks made as demos incl. anthem 'Iron Maiden' (after mediaeval torture instrument) released due to popular demand created by plays at North London's Soundhouse disco; EP sold out in a few days and led to EMI contract '80. Sampson replaced for first album sessions by ex-Samson drummer Clive Burr (b 8 March '57, East Ham, London); ex-Remus Down Boulevard guitarist Dennis Stratton (b 9 Nov. '54, Canning Town, London) beefed up sound: the album was standard HM, incl. recut 'Iron Maiden', but Derek Riggs's artwork of grotesque 'Eddie the Head' gave them an unforgettable logo. LP reached no. 4 after a tour supporting Judas Priest; Stratton left ('musical differences'), replaced by another ex-Urchin Adrian Smith (b 27 Feb. '57, London); the half-live album Killers '81 had only four new tracks and Di'anno below par; it entered charts at no. 10 and declined. Di'anno was replaced by ex-Samson Bruce Dickenson (b 7 Aug. '58, Sheffield): longer-haired and less punky, he also took some writing load from Harris. Number Of The Beast introduced Black Sabbath-like occult overtones and hit no. 1, but by Piece Of Mind '83, made in the Bahamas, they were tax exiles themselves. Burr was replaced for that album by ex-Pat Travers/Trust drummer Nicko McBain (b 5 June '54, London); it made no. 3 UK and top 20 USA, vindicating their decision to quit UK; Power Slave '84 promoted in eleven-month tour of 26 countries, went in at no. 2 UK; tour captured in two-disc/video Live After Death '85 with lavish pseudo-Egyptian set, Eddie the Head in action (twelve-foot mummy operated by security staff). Stage show was good value; video incl. alternate takes of live LP tracks. Maiden have happy knack of scoring hit singles, with twelve top 40 entries in UK: highest was 'Run To The Hills' (no. 7 '82), while popular stage tune 'Running Free' made charts in both studio ('80) and live ('85) versions. They provide nothing new but have fun doing it, taking their sword-and-sorcery HM with an unusual sense of humour; having world-wide following (incl. Poland) they will keep going until road-weary. More albums incl. Somewhere In Time '86, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son '88, No Prayer For The Dying '90. EMI released ten mini-albums of two 12]im[ singles each '90 to mark their tenth anniversary. Dickinson made solo album Tattooed Millionaire that year with new Maiden guitarist Janick Gers (Smith had left to form A.S.A.P.); Dickinson also published a novel, The Adventures Of Lord Iffy Boatrace, then after Maiden's Fear Of The Dark '92, A Real Dead One '93 left the group, replaced by ex-Wolfbane Blaze Bayley, who probably didn't have a strong enough voice. On tour for album The X Factor '95 the mummy was still there, but they sounded weak. |