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[[Iron Maiden]] are an [[England|English]] [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band formed in 1975 by bassist and only original member [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]]. After several lineup changes, they settled on vocalist [[Paul Di'Anno]], guitarist [[Dave Murray (musician)|Dave Murray]] and drummer [[Doug Sampson]]. The band released [[The Soundhouse Tapes|an EP]] as a four piece, before hiring guitarist [[Dennis Stratton]] in 1979. Drummer [[Clive Burr]] replaced Sampson and the band released their [[Iron Maiden (album)|self-titled debut album]] in 1980. Later that year, Stratton was replaced by guitarist [[Adrian Smith]], due to musical and personal differences. During [[Killers World Tour|the tour]] supporting their [[Killers (Iron Maiden album)|sophomore effort]], Di'Anno was fired from the band, due to excessive [[cocaine]] abuse. Vocalist [[Bruce Dickinson]], who had just left his [[Samson (band)|previous band]] auditioned for Iron Maiden in September 1981 and joined shortly afterwards. After the release of their "[[The Number of the Beast (album)|1982 masterpiece]]",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:difqxq85ldte|title=The Number of the Beast > Review|last=Prato|first=Greg|work=Allmusic|publisher=Macrovision Corporation|accessdate=3 November 2008}}</ref> drummer [[Nicko McBrain]] replaced Burr, who left due to personal and [[The Beast on the Road|tour schedule]] problems. This is considered by many as their [[quintessence|quintessential]] lineup,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fifqxq85ldte~T10|title=Piece of Mind > Review|last=Prato|first=Greg|work=Allmusic|publisher=Macrovision Corporation|accessdate=3 November 2008}}</ref> with which they released a series of high-impact works.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/metal/greatest_metal_bands/071406/index5.jhtml|title=The Greatest Metal Bands of All Time|work=MTV News|publisher=MTV Networks|accessdate=8 November 2008}}</ref>
[[Iron Maiden]] are an [[England|English]] [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band formed in 1976 by bassist and only original member [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]]. After several lineup changes, they settled on vocalist [[Paul Di'Anno]], guitarist [[Dave Murray (musician)|Dave Murray]] and drummer [[Doug Sampson]]. The band released [[The Soundhouse Tapes|an EP]] as a four piece, before hiring guitarist [[Dennis Stratton]] in 1979. Drummer [[Clive Burr]] replaced Sampson and the band released their [[Iron Maiden (album)|self-titled debut album]] in 1980. Later that year, Stratton was replaced by guitarist [[Adrian Smith]], due to musical and personal differences. During [[Killers World Tour|the tour]] supporting their [[Killers (Iron Maiden album)|sophomore effort]], Di'Anno was fired from the band, due to excessive [[cocaine]] abuse. Vocalist [[Bruce Dickinson]], who had just left his [[Samson (band)|previous band]] auditioned for Iron Maiden in September 1981 and joined shortly afterwards. After the release of their "[[The Number of the Beast (album)|1982 masterpiece]]",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:difqxq85ldte|title=The Number of the Beast > Review|last=Prato|first=Greg|work=Allmusic|publisher=Macrovision Corporation|accessdate=3 November 2008}}</ref> drummer [[Nicko McBrain]] replaced Burr, who left due to personal and [[The Beast on the Road|tour schedule]] problems. This is considered by many as their [[quintessence|quintessential]] lineup,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fifqxq85ldte~T10|title=Piece of Mind > Review|last=Prato|first=Greg|work=Allmusic|publisher=Macrovision Corporation|accessdate=3 November 2008}}</ref> with which they released a series of high-impact works.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/metal/greatest_metal_bands/071406/index5.jhtml|title=The Greatest Metal Bands of All Time|work=MTV News|publisher=MTV Networks|accessdate=8 November 2008}}</ref>


In 1990, prior to the recordings of their [[No Prayer for the Dying|eight studio album]], Smith left the due to lack of enthusiasm with the musical direction it was taking. [[Janick Gers]], an old friend of Dickinson who played in [[Tattooed Millionaire|his debut solo album]], became the new guitarist. This formation recorded [[Fear of the Dark (album)|one more album]], before Dickinson departed in 1993, to further pursue his solo career. Maiden auditioned hundreds of vocalists, before settling on [[Blaze Bayley]]. After releasing two studio albums, Bayley departed from the band by mutual consent, due to creative differences. In 1999, Dickinson and Smith rejoined Iron Maiden, which has since become a six-piece band, with three studio albums released by this lineup.
In 1990, prior to the recordings of their [[No Prayer for the Dying|eight studio album]], Smith left the due to lack of enthusiasm with the musical direction it was taking. [[Janick Gers]], an old friend of Dickinson who played in [[Tattooed Millionaire|his debut solo album]], became the new guitarist. This formation recorded [[Fear of the Dark (album)|one more album]], before Dickinson departed in 1993, to further pursue his solo career. Maiden auditioned hundreds of vocalists, before settling on [[Blaze Bayley]]. After releasing two studio albums, Bayley departed from the band by mutual consent, due to creative differences. In 1999, Dickinson and Smith rejoined Iron Maiden, which has since become a six-piece band, with three studio albums released by this lineup.

Revision as of 19:42, 9 April 2009

List of Iron Maiden band members

Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in 1976 by bassist and only original member Steve Harris. After several lineup changes, they settled on vocalist Paul Di'Anno, guitarist Dave Murray and drummer Doug Sampson. The band released an EP as a four piece, before hiring guitarist Dennis Stratton in 1979. Drummer Clive Burr replaced Sampson and the band released their self-titled debut album in 1980. Later that year, Stratton was replaced by guitarist Adrian Smith, due to musical and personal differences. During the tour supporting their sophomore effort, Di'Anno was fired from the band, due to excessive cocaine abuse. Vocalist Bruce Dickinson, who had just left his previous band auditioned for Iron Maiden in September 1981 and joined shortly afterwards. After the release of their "1982 masterpiece",[1] drummer Nicko McBrain replaced Burr, who left due to personal and tour schedule problems. This is considered by many as their quintessential lineup,[2] with which they released a series of high-impact works.[3]

In 1990, prior to the recordings of their eight studio album, Smith left the due to lack of enthusiasm with the musical direction it was taking. Janick Gers, an old friend of Dickinson who played in his debut solo album, became the new guitarist. This formation recorded one more album, before Dickinson departed in 1993, to further pursue his solo career. Maiden auditioned hundreds of vocalists, before settling on Blaze Bayley. After releasing two studio albums, Bayley departed from the band by mutual consent, due to creative differences. In 1999, Dickinson and Smith rejoined Iron Maiden, which has since become a six-piece band, with three studio albums released by this lineup.

Current members

Bruce Dickinson
Active: 1981–1993, 1999–present
Instruments: vocals
Release contributions: all Iron Maiden releases from The Number of the Beast (1982) to Live at Donington (1993 live), then from Brave New World (2000) to present
Steve Harris
Active: 1976–present
Instruments: bass
Release contributions: all Iron Maiden releases
Dave Murray
Active: 1976–present
Instruments: guitars
Release contributions: all Iron Maiden releases
Adrian Smith
Active: 1980–1990, 1999–present
Instruments: guitars
Release contributions: all Iron Maiden releases from Killers (1981) to Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988), then from Brave New World (2000) to present
Janick Gers
Active: 1990–present
Instruments: guitars
Release contributions: all Iron Maiden releases from No Prayer for the Dying (1990) to present
Nicko McBrain
Active: 1982–present
Instruments: drums
Release contributions: all Iron Maiden releases from Piece of Mind (1983) to present

Former members

Doug Sampson
Active: 1977–1979
Instruments: drums
Release contributions: The Soundhouse Tapes (1979 demo)
Paul Di'Anno
Active: 1978–1981
Instruments: vocals
Release contributions: all Iron Maiden releases from The Soundhouse Tapes (1979 demo) to Maiden Japan (1981 live)
Clive Burr
Active: 1979–1982
Instruments: drums
Release contributions: all Iron Maiden releases from Iron Maiden (1980) to The Number of the Beast (1982)
Dennis Stratton
Active: 1979–1980
Instruments: guitars
Release contributions: Iron Maiden (1980), Live!! +one (1980 live)
Blaze Bayley
Active: 1994–1999
Instruments: vocals
Release contributions: The X Factor (1995), Virtual XI (1998)

Timeline

Other members

Active Name Instrument Notes
1975–76 Paul Day Vocals Paul Day was Maiden's original lead vocalist, being later fired as he lacked "energy or charisma onstage".
Dave Sullivan Guitars Sullivan and Rance disagreed on Dave Murray's entrance in the band. Steve Harris then temporarily disbanded Iron Maiden, reforming it with Murray as the sole guitarist. [4]
Terry Rance
1975–77 Ron Matthews Drums Matthews was the band's original drummer, who performed until vocalist Wilcock persuaded Harris to "clean house".
1976–77 Dennis Wilcock Vocals Iron Maiden's second singer, who used special effects onstage, like fake blood, pyrotechnics, and face paint. He left the band after an argument with guitarist Dave Murray.
Bob Sawyer Guitars Sawyer was always trying to upstage Murray, which lead into a confrontation with Harris, and a subsequent expulsion.[5]
1977 "Thunderstick" Drums Thunderstick's stint in the band was left notoriously short, due to him being incapable of playing properly while intoxicated.
Terry Wapram Guitars
Tony Moore Keyboards Moore moved to London to begin rehearsals with the band in 1977, but left shortly afterwards.
1979 Kent Ewing Guitars
Paul Cairns
Paul Todd
Dave Mac
Tony Parsons

References

  1. ^ Prato, Greg. "The Number of the Beast > Review". Allmusic. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  2. ^ Prato, Greg. "Piece of Mind > Review". Allmusic. Macrovision Corporation. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  3. ^ "The Greatest Metal Bands of All Time". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved 8 November 2008.
  4. ^ Wall, Mick; Ling, Dave (2001). Iron Maiden, the Authorised Biography (2nd ed.). Sanctuary Publishing. p. 33. ISBN 1-86074-287-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "Early Iron Maiden band members". h2g2. BBC. Retrieved 2008-12-19. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)