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Revision as of 04:52, 1 June 2006 by 68.112.25.197 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) For other uses, see Iron maiden.| Iron Maiden | |
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| File:Wicker man.jpgLeft to right: Adrian Smith, Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Dave Murray, Janick Gers, Nicko McBrain | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | East London |
| Years active | 1976—present |
| Members | Bruce Dickinson Dave Murray Adrian Smith Janick Gers Steve Harris Nicko McBrain |
| Past members | Clive Burr Paul Di'Anno Blaze Bayley Dennis Stratton Doug Sampson Tony Parsons Dave Mac Paul Cairns Paul Todd Dennis Wilcock Terry Wapram Thunderstick Tony Moore Ron Matthews Bob Sawyer Terry Rance Paul Day Dave Sullivan |
| Website | www.ironmaiden.com |
Iron Maiden is a very successful New Wave of British heavy metal band from East London. Formed in 1976 by bassist Steve Harris, previously of Gypsy's Kiss and Smiler, they are one of the most successful and influential bands in the heavy metal genre, selling over 70 million albums worldwide. Iron Maiden has so far released thirteen studio albums, four "best of" compilations, nine live albums, and four limited boxed-sets. The band won the Ivor Novello Award for international achievement in 2000 .
Iron Maiden's mascot, Eddie, is a perennial fixture in the band's horror-influenced album cover art, as well as in live shows. Eddie was originally drawn by Derek Riggs but has had various incarnations by Melvyn Grant. Eddie is also featured in a first-person shooter video game, Ed Hunter as well as numerous books, graphic comics and band-related merchandise.
Iron Maiden has achieved international fame with its distinctive style of melodic metal. Their blend of heavy metal, highly melodic riffs, and intelligent lyrics has become instantly recognizable. The band is also renowned for their down-to-earth and genuine approach towards their music, their impressive energetic stage shows and their openness with fans.
Many of the band's songs are historical in reference to England, others based on folklore, movies, and books, such as "Children of the Damned", "The Duellists", "The Clansman", "Aces High", "Paschendale", "Revelations", "The Wicker Man", "The Prisoner", "Lord of the Flies", "Where Eagles Dare", "Out of the Silent Planet", "To Tame A Land" (based on Frank Herbert's novel Dune), "The Trooper" (based on the poem The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson), "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" – in which words from the Samuel Taylor Coleridge poem are sung, and "Man on the Edge" (based on the movie Falling Down).
The band has headlined several major events in its career, notably Rock In Rio, Ozzfest alongside Black Sabbath, Donington's famous "Monsters of Rock", "Download" Festivals and the "Reading and Leeds Festivals .
Frontman Bruce Dickinson revealed, in an interview with MTV Brazil, that the band will enter the studio again in March 2006 to record their next album, due to be out in autumn. A European tour is expected to begin in October 2006 .
Iron Maiden was ranked # 24 in VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" . They are one of the most popular and influential heavy metal bands of all time. They also have perhaps the most iconic mascot in music history.
History
The long and twisting road from formation to the current day started in 1975, when bassist Steve Harris and guitarist Dave Murray first met. Thirty years later, the two remain at the helm of Iron Maiden.
Iron Maiden had twelve different line-ups in the 1970s, paying their dues on the mostly punk club circuit in London's rough East End. Although Iron Maiden was a metal band influenced by Deep Purple, Yes, Wishbone Ash, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath, the earlier music had undoubted punk overtones. Keyboardist Tony Moore joined in 1977, but before long everyone concerned realised that keyboards were a no go. Original singer Paul Day was replaced by the outlandish Dennis Wilcock, a huge KISS fan who used fire, make-up, and fake blood on stage. Wilcock provided the initial inspiration for "Eddie". Neither vocalist possessed both the stage presence and vocal ability to take the band to the next level. However, this changed in 1978, with the addition of punk-ranting Paul Di'Anno as frontman and Doug Sampson on drums.
The name of the band was influenced by "the Irons", or West Ham United F.C. – a club in the local area of the band which it supports. (The bands bassist, Steve Harris, played for West Ham's youth team before becoming a musician.) An iron maiden was also a medieval torture device used in Germany, and the song "Iron Maiden" has lyrics that are about that old method of execution.
Iron Maiden was a sensation on the English rock circuit by this time. The band had been playing for three years and gained a tremendously loyal following, but had never recorded any of their music. On New Year's Eve 1978, the band recorded one of the most famous demos in rock history, the Soundhouse Tapes. Featuring