History
From Upton Park to Donington Park by way of the Cart and Horses. If
that sounds like a nursery rhyme, forget it. Its the route taken by
a band that became one of the all time greats of Heavy Metal. Its
also about the dream of one man, Steve 'Harry' Harris. A dream that
started whit the idea of becoming a pro at his beloved West Ham and
ended up whit the burning ambition to have a band that would grab the
World by the balls and say īget out of that!ī. From the early days in
Stratford to Maidenīs sell-out World tours two names have remained
constant; Steve Harris and (allowing for one small hiccup) Dave Murray.
But overall there have been an unbelievable twenty two changes to the
line-up through the years! A sobering thought when you consider most
bands crumble after one. This is surely a testament to the strength
of Iron Maidenīs fan base and... of course, their music. Perhaps its
also a testament to their manager of long standing, Rod Smallwood.
Every great act needs a manager who in a sense is like another band
member. Rodīs been there since 1979 and heīs still going strong.
The other fascinating fact about Maiden is that network radio hardly
ever play their records. So how come over 45 million albums sales to
date? Of course its the amazing number of live gigs alla over the World
allied to what is probably one of the first truly succesful mercendising
operations in the rock industry (who hasnīt got a Maiden T-Shirt?). But its
also a bit like the American Declaration of Independence, you know , the:
īOf the people, by the people, for the peopleī line. Iron Maiden is a
peopleīs band. They came from them, they were īdiscoveredī by them, and
they play for them. No amount of radio or TV can compensate for that.
Its ultimate accolade.
So this is the story. From Gypsys Kiss and Smiler, the Soundhouse tapes and
the first īIron Maidenī album to the present day line-up of Steve, Dave, Janick
Gers, Nicko McBrain and Blaze Bayley. Oh yeah, and donīt forget Eddie...
THIS IS IRON MAIDEN!!!!!