When Iron Maiden Found Their Voice
09/27/2010
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Sunday marked a milestone anniversary for Iron Maiden. According to Gibson, on September 26, 1981 Samson vocalist Bruce Dickinson replaced original Maiden frontman Paul Di'Anno. Here is part of Gibson's look back at this historic event: Steve Harris had almost sorted it out. Six years after he formed Iron Maiden, whose name was inspired by a film adaptation of The Man in the Iron Mask, Harris was still looking for that final piece to the puzzle. Having gone through three singers, twelve guitarists (of which, two remained), four drummers (of which, one remained) and a keyboard player, the bassist-songwriter-bandleader had almost dialed up the perfect combination. But he still needed a frontman.When Iron Maiden signed to a major label in December 1979, it seemed like they were just about there. The line-up of Harris, guitarist Dave Murray, second guitarist Dennis Stratton, drummer Clive Burr and singer Paul Di'Anno was a pretty fearsome group. Stratton and Murray provided a complementing, give-and-take twin-guitar attack. Burr was a more-than-solid drummer. Harris was quickly developing into the best bassist in heavy metal. And Di'Anno
well, Di'Anno was something else. Paul Di'Anno was not your prototypical singer. His voice was raspy and harsh, though he could fire off a top-shelf scream when necessary. But Rob Halford he was not. Di'Anno, though, brought a toughness to a band that was built for menace. In songs like "Phantom of the Opera" and "Murders in the Rue Morgue," you get the feeling you're hearing the story from the killer himself.
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