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Bob Sawyer)
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in 1975 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.
[edit] 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: 1975–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
| The current members of Iron Maiden |
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[edit] Former members
- Doug Sampson
- Active: 1977–1979
- Instruments: drums
- Release contributions: The Soundhouse Tapes (1979 demo), The BBC Archives (four songs from 1979)
- 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)
| The former members of Iron Maiden |
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[edit] Timeline
[edit] 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 |
Parsons appeared on The BBC Archives album, performing on four tracks. |
[edit] References
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