There are multiple artists with this name: 1) Iron Maiden is a New Wave of British Heavy Metal or nwobhm band from the United Kingdom. They formed in London, 1975 by bassist Steve Harris, they are one of the most successful and influential bands in the heavy metal genre, selling over 80 million albums worldwide. The band has so far released fifteen studio albums, four "best of" compilations, nine live albums and four limited boxed-sets. They have also won the Ivor Novello Award for international achievement in 2000. ...show more

There are multiple artists with this name: 1) Iron Maiden is a New Wave of British Heavy Metal or nwobhm band from the United Kingdom. They formed in London, 1975 by bassist Steve Harris, they are one of the most successful and influential bands in the heavy metal genre, selling over 80 million albums worldwide. The band has so far released fifteen studio albums, four "best of" compilations, nine live albums and four limited boxed-sets. They have also won the Ivor Novello Award for international achievement in 2000.

The band has changed their line-up several times up to 1999 when Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith returned to the band. Their current line-up is: Steve Harris (1975-): bass, backing vocals, studio keyboards David Michael Murray (1975-): guitar Paul Bruce Dickinson (1981-1993 1999-): lead vocals (see also Bruce Dickinson, Samson) Nicko McBrain (1983-): drums, percussion (see also Trust) Janick Gers (1990-): guitar (see also Bruce Dickinson, White Spirit) Adrian Smith (1980-1990, 1999-): guitar, backing vocals (see also Bruce Dickinson and Psycho Motel). Former members: Doug Sampson - drums, percussion (1977-1979) Dennis Stratton - guitars, backing vocals (1979-1980) Paul Di'Anno - lead vocals (1978-1981) Clive Burr - drums, percussion (1979-1982) Blaze Bayley - lead vocals (1994-1998) Dennis Wilcock - lead vocals (1976-1977) Barry Purkis - drums, percussion (1977) Paul Day - lead vocals (1975-1976). Iron Maiden's work has inspired other sub-genres of heavy metal, including power metal and speed metal, and is generally thought of as an influence to any "metal" music containing dual-guitar harmonization.

One example of their far reaching influence is that many bands from virtually every rock and metal sub-genre list Iron Maiden as one of their influences. Iron Maiden's mascot, Eddie, is a perennial fixture in the band's horror-influenced album cover art, as well as in live shows. Eddie was originally drawn by Derek Riggs but has had various incarnations by Melvyn Grant. Eddie is also featured in a first-person shooter video game, Ed Hunter. ...show less