Iron Maiden: The Metal Never Stopped
Godfathers of galloping NWOBHM Iron Maiden make music for the masses
Some bands become so successful that they become emblematic of the style, genre or era of music they represent. They become institutions able to book tours decades into a career, drawing the masses out to celebrate the anthems of their youths. It’s even better if the bands retain key members who are in good playing shape or, as with Iron Maiden’s case, an entire golden era lineup.
Iron Maiden are the proud godfathers of heavy metal, an inarguable influence on every metal band that formed in the wake of their early ’80s success. London-based bassist Steve Harris had no idea of the gift he was giving to the world when on Christmas Day 1975 when he formed that would become Iron Maiden, but he knew what he wanted from fellow musicians.
Guitarist Dave Murray, a Stratocaster devotee with a blazing but smooth lead style, was the first musician to make it past the revolving door of band members. He was followed by vocalist Paul Di’Anno and guitarist Adrian Smith, whose playing complemented Murray’s more emotive and blues-influenced approach. The band was led by Harris and his galloping bass, but the sound would be most recognizable for twin-lead prowess.
That sound was established on Iron Maiden’s eponymous debut album and follow up Killers, but Di’Anno was burned out by the time Iron Maiden’s popularity became arena-sized. The band needed someone whose charisma and energy could fill increasingly larger spaces. Enter Bruce Dickinson, who could sing louder and thrashed around stages with athletic energy.
Already one of the first metal bands to appear on MTV, Iron Maiden’s 1982 album Number of the Beast helped the band conquer America with “Run to the Hills” and the title track. The British rock press referred to Maiden and peers as “The New Wave of British Heavy Metal” while the music rolled across America and then the world.
Drummer Clive Burr, who passed in 2013 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis, would be replaced by Nicko McBrain before the recording of 1983 album Piece of Mind. The third golden era lineup was in place, the one that played on 1984’s Powerslave and toured behind the Iron Curtain. Janick Gers would replace Smith during the 1990s, but stayed after Smith returned in 1999.
While Iron Maiden’s status in popular music waxed and waned with the fortunes of heavy metal, the fans continued to fill venues tour after tour. Harris kept the band going during the ’90s after Dickinson departed, but the singer returned along with Smith as the band marched toward its elder statesmen era. They became the Rolling Stones of metal, with future tour successes assured.
The impact Iron Maiden has had on all heavy bands formed in the wake of their success is inestimable. They added punk energy to twin-guitar heavy metal, then moved in a progressive direction that influenced compositional styles of the generations of bands that followed in their wake. Maiden outlasted nearly all of them, and still deliver the goods in a stage show complete with iconic mascot Eddie incorporated into state-of-the-art stage design.