FORMED on Christmas day 1975 in London and despite little radio or television support back then, Iron Maiden is today considered as one of the most successful heavy metal bands in history and was dubbed a pioneer of the new wave of British heavy metal. Now with many music awards, over 90 million albums sold globally, over 2000 live performances in 59 countries, Iron Maiden is one of the most enduring of the British heavy metal bands. Their discography now stands at 38 albums.
Iron Maiden performed in South Africa in the mid nineties with a different line up. This time the line-up includes founder members Steve Harris on bass and Dave Murray on guitar who are the only two members of Iron Maiden to play on all the albums. The line up also includes drummer Nico McBrain, guitarist Adrian Smith, guitarist Janick Gers and vocalist Bruce Dickinson.
Dickinson trained as a pilot at his own aviation facility in Wales and is actually flying the band’s own Boeing 747 dubbed Ed Force One carrying band, crew and stage production and over 12 tonnes of equipment on their multi date Book Of Souls world tour. As the 747 is so huge, only minimal modifications were needed to the interior. They didn’t have to modify the plane for freight as all equipment and production is carried in the hold. Iron Maiden released a video documenting an account of their 2008 world tour through India, Australia, Japan, USA, Canada, Mexico and South America with Dickinson piloting the plane.
This world tour will see the band flying over 88,500km and visiting around 35 countries including Italy, Bucharest, Russia, Lithuania, Finland, and Spain and first ever visits to China and El Salvador.
Having already played Australia, USA, Mexico, Canada, Brazil and Argentina Iron Maiden play their first show of the South African leg at Grand West Arena tomorrow. This tour line up also includes guitarist Adrian Smith who will be visiting our shores for the first time.
Smith says, “We are very excited about the new album Book Of Souls and to play South Africa. This particular tour is one of the most enjoyable for us and one of the best shows we’ve taken out. There’s going to be some great effects so the fans will really love the show”.
There is a South African connection with Iron Maiden in the form of Kevin ‘The Caveman’ Shirley. Smith says, “Kevin has worked with us since 2000 on the Brave New World album and has engineered every studio and live album since. He’s a very talented engineer”.
Regarding Iron Maiden in the 21st century and new music trends Smith says that, “With Iron Maiden we’ve almost got our own niche in what you can call heavy metal but there’s also a lot of melody in our music. Back in 1975 there was no social media. It was word of mouth and we were an underground thing. Back in the 80’s metal and hard rock bands were touring all the time. Now metal is more mainstream. No one is really doing what we do. We do get a lot of younger fans and they know all the words of our new songs so we are definitely getting through to people. Now it’s more of an event and a lot of the younger fans maybe haven’t seen a full on rock show before with guitar solo’s and harmonies, sweat flying, pyrotechnics, wailing vocals and drums. Even hard rock music is very processed nowadays and a lot of music is made with computers so when they come and see an Iron Maiden show they are in for a treat as they will see something raw and organic. Our shows are a major attraction”.
Iron Maiden’s long standing mascot is a character named Eddie, whose image adorns their albums which each of which runs with a particular theme where. Eddie’s visage and other Iron Maiden livery also appear the tail of their jumbo jet. Smith says, “Eddie will make an appearance at the show. We wouldn’t be able to do a show without him and we have an amazing Eddie on this tour. He is almost a seventh member of the band except he doesn’t play anything and he doesn’t sing. It’s just a bit of fun but people like it”.
Smith goes on to say, “Eddie enables us to get on with our music so we don’t have to have some crazy image. Eddie does that for us”.
Touring with and supporting Iron Maiden is London-based melodic metal band Raven Age whose line up includes George Harris who is the son of Iron Maiden bass player Steve Harris. In 2014 Raven Age recorded and released their debut self titled EP that shot straight to number 1 in the Amazon Hot New Releases Chart. South African support act will be Johannesburg based southern rock band Jasper Dan, comprising of Jamie Hendry on vocals, Daz Roux on guitars, Neil Scanes on bass and Paul Harley on drums.
Jasper Dan characterise themselves by a solid rhythm section that supports enticing guitar hooks and unusually dirty, but coherent vocals. Jasper Dan claim to bring back the undressed emotion of true rock ‘n Roll with no engineered trimmings or digital reinforcing.
Iron Maiden’s message to their South African fans: “We are looking forward to playing South Africa and bringing the fans a great show. We’ll be playing lots off the new album and a lot of fan favourites”.
l Doors open at 6.30pm and the show starts at 8pm, 0861 915 8000, www.ironmaiden.com