Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and principal songwriter Steve Harris. Although the line-up changed frequently during the band's early years, the core line-up for much of its history consisted of Harris, vocalist Bruce Dickinson, drummer Nicko McBrain, and guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers. Emerging as part of the new wave of British heavy metal, Iron Maiden achieved international success with albums including "Iron Maiden" (1980), "Killers" (1981), and "The Number of the Beast" (1982), the first album to feature Dickinson after the departure of Paul Di'Anno. "The Number of the Beast" sold 2.5 million copies during its first year of release and had sold approximately 20 million copies worldwide by 2022.
After a period of lower commercial performance during the 1990s, the return of Dickinson and Smith in 1999 was followed by a renewed period of success. "The Final Frontier" (2010), "The Book of Souls" (2015), and "Senjutsu" (2021) each reached number one in more than 25 countries. Iron Maiden have sold more than 130 million records worldwide and have received more than 600 certifications. The band have received several awards, including Grammy Awards and Brit Awards, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2026.
Iron Maiden have released 17 studio albums, 13 live albums, four EPs, seven compilation albums, 47 singles, 20 video albums and two video games. Their lyrics have addressed subjects including history, literature, war, mythology, fantasy, science fiction, society and religion. By October 2019, the band had performed approximately 2,500 concerts. Since the late 1970s, their mascot Eddie has appeared on the artwork of almost all releases.
Steve Harris formed Iron Maiden in 1975. The band initially used the name Ash Mountain before adopting Iron Maiden, a name inspired by a film adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' "The Man in the Iron Mask". The original line-up underwent frequent changes. Vocalist Paul Mario Day left and was replaced by Dennis Wilcock, while Dave Murray joined as guitarist. After further personnel changes, vocalist Paul Di'Anno and drummer Doug Sampson joined in 1978.
On New Year's Eve 1978, the band recorded a four-song demo. The recording attracted the attention of DJ Neal Kay and manager Rod Smallwood. Released independently as "The Soundhouse Tapes", the EP sold all 5,000 copies within weeks. In December 1979, Iron Maiden signed with EMI. Dennis Stratton joined as second guitarist, while Clive Burr replaced Doug Sampson on drums.
Iron Maiden appeared on the compilation "Metal for Muthas" before releasing their self-titled debut album in 1980. The album reached number four on the UK Albums Chart and included "Running Free", "Phantom of the Opera", "Transylvania" and "Sanctuary". Following tours with Kiss and Judas Priest, Stratton left and was replaced by Adrian Smith. The band's second studio album, "Killers", was released in 1981. It reached number 78 on the Billboard 200 and was supported by a world tour consisting of 132 concerts.
Paul Di'Anno left the band in 1981 and was replaced by Bruce Dickinson. The first album with Dickinson, "The Number of the Beast", was released in 1982. It became Iron Maiden's first number one album in the United Kingdom and reached number 33 on the Billboard 200. The accompanying "Beast on the Road" tour consisted of 188 concerts in ten months. Controversy surrounding the title track and cover artwork led to protests by some religious groups in the United States. By 2010, the album had sold approximately 14 million copies worldwide, and by 2022 the total had reached around 20 million.
In December 1982, Nicko McBrain replaced Clive Burr. "Piece of Mind", released in 1983, reached number three in the United Kingdom and number 14 on the Billboard 200. Its supporting tour included 147 concerts and a sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden attended by 20,000 people. "Powerslave", released in 1984, reached number one in the United Kingdom and sold more than four million copies during its first year. The "World Slavery Tour" consisted of 193 concerts in 28 countries over 13 months and was attended by an estimated 3.5 million people. The band co-headlined the Rock in Rio festival before an audience estimated at between 350,000 and 500,000 people and became one of the first Western rock acts to tour several Eastern Bloc countries with full stage production.
Following a break from touring, Iron Maiden released the live album "Live After Death" in 1985. It reached number two in the United Kingdom and number 19 on the Billboard 200. "Somewhere in Time" (1986) introduced guitar and bass synthesisers and reached number two in the UK and number 11 in the United States. "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" (1988), a concept album based on Orson Scott Card's novel "Seventh Son", became the band's third UK number one album and reached number 12 on the Billboard 200.
Adrian Smith left the band during preparations for "No Prayer for the Dying" (1990) and was replaced by Janick Gers. The album reached number two in the UK and number 17 on the Billboard 200. Its single "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter" became the band's only UK number one single. "Fear of the Dark" (1992) became Iron Maiden's fourth UK number one album and reached number 12 on the Billboard 200. The title track became a regular feature of the band's live performances.
Bruce Dickinson left Iron Maiden in 1993 to pursue a solo career. Blaze Bayley, formerly of Wolfsbane, became his replacement. "The X Factor" (1995) reached number eight in the United Kingdom and received "Album of the Year" awards in France, Spain and Germany. It sold approximately 1.3 million copies worldwide. "Virtual XI", released in 1998, reached number 16 in the UK, the lowest position for a new Iron Maiden studio album at the time. Bayley left the band in 1999.
Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith rejoined Iron Maiden in 1999, creating a six-member line-up with three guitarists. The reunion was accompanied by the release of the compilation "Ed Hunter" and a world tour. "Brave New World" (2000) marked a return to more progressive arrangements. Its supporting tour consisted of 91 concerts in 33 countries and was attended by more than two million people. The final concert took place at the Rock in Rio festival before an audience of more than 250,000 people. During this period, the band organised charity concerts to raise funds for former drummer Clive Burr following his diagnosis with multiple sclerosis.
"Dance of Death" was released in 2003 and reached number two in the UK and number 18 on the Billboard 200. The "Dance of Death Tour" consisted of 53 concerts. In 2005, Iron Maiden undertook the "Eddie Rips Up the World Tour", featuring material from their first four albums.
"A Matter of Life and Death" (2006) reached number one in album charts in 13 countries and became the band's first top-ten album on the Billboard 200. Its supporting tour included performances in the United Arab Emirates and India. In 2008 and 2009, the "Somewhere Back in Time World Tour" attracted more than 2.5 million attendees. During the Latin American leg, the band performed 27 concerts for approximately one million people. A concert in São Paulo attracted around 100,000 people, which Bruce Dickinson described as the largest non-festival concert of the band's career.
The documentary film "Iron Maiden: Flight 666" was released in 2009 and later issued on Blu-ray, DVD and CD. "The Final Frontier", released in 2010, reached number one in 28 countries and number four on the Billboard 200. Its supporting tour consisted of 101 concerts and attracted more than 2.5 million attendees. The single "El Dorado" received the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2011.
The "Maiden England World Tour" ran from 2012 to 2014 and included 100 concerts in 32 countries before audiences totalling more than 2.7 million people. "The Book of Souls", released in 2015, became the band's fifth UK number one album and reached number one in 43 countries. The album's closing track, "Empire of the Clouds", became the longest song in Iron Maiden's catalogue at 18 minutes. The accompanying world tour included 117 concerts in 35 countries and attracted more than 2.5 million people.
The "Legacy of the Beast World Tour" began in 2018 and ultimately consisted of 140 concerts attended by more than 3.5 million people. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the postponement of nearly one million tickets. "Nights of the Dead", recorded in Mexico City, documented three sold-out concerts attended by more than 70,000 people.
"Senjutsu", released in 2021, reached number one in 27 countries and entered the top three in 55 countries. In 2023, Iron Maiden began "The Future Past World Tour". By the end of 2024, the tour had comprised 81 concerts and attracted almost two million attendees. After the final concert, Nicko McBrain retired from touring while remaining a member of the band for studio activities. Simon Dawson became the touring drummer.
In 2025, Iron Maiden began the "Run for Your Lives World Tour" to mark the band's 50th anniversary. The tour focused on material from the first nine studio albums. More than one million tickets were sold for the first 32 European concerts. Following anniversary celebrations in 2026 and additional South American dates, the band announced plans to suspend touring activities until at least 2028.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Maiden
Studio albums
Iron Maiden (1980)
Killers (1981)
The Number of the Beast (1982)
Piece of Mind (1983)
Powerslave (1984)
Somewhere in Time (1986)
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)
No Prayer for the Dying (1990)
Fear of the Dark (1992)
The X Factor (1995)
Virtual XI (1998)
Brave New World (2000)
Dance of Death (2003)
A Matter of Life and Death (2006)
The Final Frontier (2010)
The Book of Souls (2015)
Senjutsu (2021)
After a period of lower commercial performance during the 1990s, the return of Dickinson and Smith in 1999 was followed by a renewed period of success. "The Final Frontier" (2010), "The Book of Souls" (2015), and "Senjutsu" (2021) each reached number one in more than 25 countries. Iron Maiden have sold more than 130 million records worldwide and have received more than 600 certifications. The band have received several awards, including Grammy Awards and Brit Awards, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2026.
Iron Maiden have released 17 studio albums, 13 live albums, four EPs, seven compilation albums, 47 singles, 20 video albums and two video games. Their lyrics have addressed subjects including history, literature, war, mythology, fantasy, science fiction, society and religion. By October 2019, the band had performed approximately 2,500 concerts. Since the late 1970s, their mascot Eddie has appeared on the artwork of almost all releases.
Steve Harris formed Iron Maiden in 1975. The band initially used the name Ash Mountain before adopting Iron Maiden, a name inspired by a film adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' "The Man in the Iron Mask". The original line-up underwent frequent changes. Vocalist Paul Mario Day left and was replaced by Dennis Wilcock, while Dave Murray joined as guitarist. After further personnel changes, vocalist Paul Di'Anno and drummer Doug Sampson joined in 1978.
On New Year's Eve 1978, the band recorded a four-song demo. The recording attracted the attention of DJ Neal Kay and manager Rod Smallwood. Released independently as "The Soundhouse Tapes", the EP sold all 5,000 copies within weeks. In December 1979, Iron Maiden signed with EMI. Dennis Stratton joined as second guitarist, while Clive Burr replaced Doug Sampson on drums.
Iron Maiden appeared on the compilation "Metal for Muthas" before releasing their self-titled debut album in 1980. The album reached number four on the UK Albums Chart and included "Running Free", "Phantom of the Opera", "Transylvania" and "Sanctuary". Following tours with Kiss and Judas Priest, Stratton left and was replaced by Adrian Smith. The band's second studio album, "Killers", was released in 1981. It reached number 78 on the Billboard 200 and was supported by a world tour consisting of 132 concerts.
Paul Di'Anno left the band in 1981 and was replaced by Bruce Dickinson. The first album with Dickinson, "The Number of the Beast", was released in 1982. It became Iron Maiden's first number one album in the United Kingdom and reached number 33 on the Billboard 200. The accompanying "Beast on the Road" tour consisted of 188 concerts in ten months. Controversy surrounding the title track and cover artwork led to protests by some religious groups in the United States. By 2010, the album had sold approximately 14 million copies worldwide, and by 2022 the total had reached around 20 million.
In December 1982, Nicko McBrain replaced Clive Burr. "Piece of Mind", released in 1983, reached number three in the United Kingdom and number 14 on the Billboard 200. Its supporting tour included 147 concerts and a sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden attended by 20,000 people. "Powerslave", released in 1984, reached number one in the United Kingdom and sold more than four million copies during its first year. The "World Slavery Tour" consisted of 193 concerts in 28 countries over 13 months and was attended by an estimated 3.5 million people. The band co-headlined the Rock in Rio festival before an audience estimated at between 350,000 and 500,000 people and became one of the first Western rock acts to tour several Eastern Bloc countries with full stage production.
Following a break from touring, Iron Maiden released the live album "Live After Death" in 1985. It reached number two in the United Kingdom and number 19 on the Billboard 200. "Somewhere in Time" (1986) introduced guitar and bass synthesisers and reached number two in the UK and number 11 in the United States. "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" (1988), a concept album based on Orson Scott Card's novel "Seventh Son", became the band's third UK number one album and reached number 12 on the Billboard 200.
Adrian Smith left the band during preparations for "No Prayer for the Dying" (1990) and was replaced by Janick Gers. The album reached number two in the UK and number 17 on the Billboard 200. Its single "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter" became the band's only UK number one single. "Fear of the Dark" (1992) became Iron Maiden's fourth UK number one album and reached number 12 on the Billboard 200. The title track became a regular feature of the band's live performances.
Bruce Dickinson left Iron Maiden in 1993 to pursue a solo career. Blaze Bayley, formerly of Wolfsbane, became his replacement. "The X Factor" (1995) reached number eight in the United Kingdom and received "Album of the Year" awards in France, Spain and Germany. It sold approximately 1.3 million copies worldwide. "Virtual XI", released in 1998, reached number 16 in the UK, the lowest position for a new Iron Maiden studio album at the time. Bayley left the band in 1999.
Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith rejoined Iron Maiden in 1999, creating a six-member line-up with three guitarists. The reunion was accompanied by the release of the compilation "Ed Hunter" and a world tour. "Brave New World" (2000) marked a return to more progressive arrangements. Its supporting tour consisted of 91 concerts in 33 countries and was attended by more than two million people. The final concert took place at the Rock in Rio festival before an audience of more than 250,000 people. During this period, the band organised charity concerts to raise funds for former drummer Clive Burr following his diagnosis with multiple sclerosis.
"Dance of Death" was released in 2003 and reached number two in the UK and number 18 on the Billboard 200. The "Dance of Death Tour" consisted of 53 concerts. In 2005, Iron Maiden undertook the "Eddie Rips Up the World Tour", featuring material from their first four albums.
"A Matter of Life and Death" (2006) reached number one in album charts in 13 countries and became the band's first top-ten album on the Billboard 200. Its supporting tour included performances in the United Arab Emirates and India. In 2008 and 2009, the "Somewhere Back in Time World Tour" attracted more than 2.5 million attendees. During the Latin American leg, the band performed 27 concerts for approximately one million people. A concert in São Paulo attracted around 100,000 people, which Bruce Dickinson described as the largest non-festival concert of the band's career.
The documentary film "Iron Maiden: Flight 666" was released in 2009 and later issued on Blu-ray, DVD and CD. "The Final Frontier", released in 2010, reached number one in 28 countries and number four on the Billboard 200. Its supporting tour consisted of 101 concerts and attracted more than 2.5 million attendees. The single "El Dorado" received the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2011.
The "Maiden England World Tour" ran from 2012 to 2014 and included 100 concerts in 32 countries before audiences totalling more than 2.7 million people. "The Book of Souls", released in 2015, became the band's fifth UK number one album and reached number one in 43 countries. The album's closing track, "Empire of the Clouds", became the longest song in Iron Maiden's catalogue at 18 minutes. The accompanying world tour included 117 concerts in 35 countries and attracted more than 2.5 million people.
The "Legacy of the Beast World Tour" began in 2018 and ultimately consisted of 140 concerts attended by more than 3.5 million people. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the postponement of nearly one million tickets. "Nights of the Dead", recorded in Mexico City, documented three sold-out concerts attended by more than 70,000 people.
"Senjutsu", released in 2021, reached number one in 27 countries and entered the top three in 55 countries. In 2023, Iron Maiden began "The Future Past World Tour". By the end of 2024, the tour had comprised 81 concerts and attracted almost two million attendees. After the final concert, Nicko McBrain retired from touring while remaining a member of the band for studio activities. Simon Dawson became the touring drummer.
In 2025, Iron Maiden began the "Run for Your Lives World Tour" to mark the band's 50th anniversary. The tour focused on material from the first nine studio albums. More than one million tickets were sold for the first 32 European concerts. Following anniversary celebrations in 2026 and additional South American dates, the band announced plans to suspend touring activities until at least 2028.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Maiden
Studio albums
Iron Maiden (1980)
Killers (1981)
The Number of the Beast (1982)
Piece of Mind (1983)
Powerslave (1984)
Somewhere in Time (1986)
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)
No Prayer for the Dying (1990)
Fear of the Dark (1992)
The X Factor (1995)
Virtual XI (1998)
Brave New World (2000)
Dance of Death (2003)
A Matter of Life and Death (2006)
The Final Frontier (2010)
The Book of Souls (2015)
Senjutsu (2021)
