Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and principal songwriter Steve Harris. They are associated with heavy metal, metal and NWOBHM, and are one of the best-known acts to emerge from the new wave of British heavy metal.

Early years and line-up changes

The band first uses the name Ash Mountain before adopting Iron Maiden, a name taken from the film adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ The Man in the Iron Mask. The line-up changes frequently in the early years. Paul Day leaves vocals and is replaced by Dennis Wilcock, while Dave Murray joins on guitar. In 1978, Paul Di’Anno and drummer Doug Sampson join, and the group records a four-song demo on New Year’s Eve. That recording attracts DJ Neal Kay and manager Rod Smallwood, and the independently released The Soundhouse Tapes sells out its first pressing quickly.

In December 1979, Iron Maiden sign with EMI. Dennis Stratton joins as second guitarist and Clive Burr replaces Sampson on drums. After touring with Kiss and Judas Priest, Stratton leaves and Adrian Smith takes his place.

Breakthrough albums

Iron Maiden release their self-titled debut album in 1980. It reaches number four in the UK Albums Chart and includes “Running Free”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Transylvania” and “Sanctuary”. Killers follows in 1981 and reaches number 78 on the Billboard 200.

Paul Di’Anno leaves in 1981 and Bruce Dickinson joins for The Number of the Beast in 1982. It becomes the band’s first UK number one album and reaches number 33 on the Billboard 200. The title track and cover artwork draw protests from some religious groups in the United States. Clive Burr is then replaced by Nicko McBrain in December 1982.

1980s and 1990s albums

Piece of Mind is released in 1983 and reaches number three in the UK and number 14 in the United States. Powerslave follows in 1984, reaching number one in the UK. The associated World Slavery Tour runs for 193 concerts across 28 countries over 13 months, and the band also co-headlines Rock in Rio. Iron Maiden are among the first Western rock acts to tour several Eastern Bloc countries with full stage production.

After a break from touring, the band releases the live album Live After Death in 1985. Somewhere in Time appears in 1986 and introduces guitar and bass synthesisers. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son follows in 1988 as a concept album based on Orson Scott Card’s novel Seventh Son.

Adrian Smith leaves during preparations for No Prayer for the Dying in 1990 and is replaced by Janick Gers. The album reaches number two in the UK, and “Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter” becomes the band’s only UK number one single. Fear of the Dark is released in 1992 and also reaches number one in the UK.

Bruce Dickinson leaves in 1993 and Blaze Bayley, formerly of Wolfsbane, becomes the vocalist. The X Factor follows in 1995 and receives Album of the Year awards in France, Spain and Germany. Virtual XI is released in 1998.

Return of Dickinson and Smith

Dickinson and Smith rejoin in 1999, creating a six-member line-up with three guitarists. The reunion is accompanied by the compilation Ed Hunter and a world tour. Brave New World appears in 2000 and marks a return to more progressive arrangements. The supporting tour covers 91 concerts in 33 countries and includes a final show at Rock in Rio before more than 250,000 people.

During this period, the band organises charity concerts to raise money for former drummer Clive Burr after his diagnosis with multiple sclerosis.

Later albums and touring

Dance of Death is released in 2003, followed by the Eddie Rips Up the World Tour in 2005, which features material from the first four albums. A Matter of Life and Death comes out in 2006 and becomes the band’s first top-ten album on the Billboard 200. The tour for the album includes performances in the United Arab Emirates and India.

The Somewhere Back in Time World Tour runs in 2008 and 2009 and attracts more than 2.5 million attendees. The documentary Iron Maiden: Flight 666 is released in 2009. The Final Frontier follows in 2010 and reaches number one in 28 countries. Its single “El Dorado” receives the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2011.

The Maiden England World Tour runs from 2012 to 2014. The Book of Souls is released in 2015, becomes the band’s fifth UK number one album and reaches number one in 43 countries. Its closing track, “Empire of the Clouds”, is the longest song in the Iron Maiden catalogue. The Legacy of the Beast World Tour begins in 2018. Nights of the Dead documents three sold-out concerts in Mexico City.

Senjutsu is released in 2021 and reaches number one in 27 countries. In 2023, the band begins The Future Past World Tour. After the final concert, Nicko McBrain retires from touring while remaining a member for studio work, and Simon Dawson becomes the touring drummer. In 2025, Iron Maiden begin the Run for Your Lives World Tour to mark the band’s 50th anniversary, with performances focused on material from the first nine studio albums.

Style, output and recognition

Iron Maiden’s lyrics cover history, literature, war, mythology, fantasy, science fiction, society and religion. Their mascot Eddie appears on the artwork of almost all releases from the late 1970s onwards. The band have released 17 studio albums, 13 live albums, four EPs, seven compilation albums, 47 singles, 20 video albums and two video games. They have sold more than 130 million records worldwide, received more than 600 certifications, won awards including Grammy Awards and Brit Awards, and are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Their record labels include Capitol Records, Epic Records, CMC International Records and Columbia Records. Key members across the group’s history include Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Dennis Wilcock, Tony Moore, Bob Sawyer, Thunderstick, Terry Wapram, Doug Sampson, Paul Di’Anno, Dennis Stratton, Clive Burr, Paul Cairns, Tony Parsons, Paul Todd, Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson, Nicko McBrain, Janick Gers, Blaze Bayley and Simon Dawson.