I started five years ago in the East End of London. At that time, I couldn't find any musicians or contracts so, with Dave Murray (guitar) and Paul Di Anno (vocals), we used to play in East End pubs that don't exist anymore, or even in clubs. Then we signed with EMI, right in the middle of the Punk era. Our chances seemed pretty slim, but our first single, Running Free, had nonetheless a fair amount of success, which allowed us to release our first album, Iron Maiden.
Steve Harris / Iron Maiden interview, Guitare #8, 1981
IRON MAIDEN released their classic self-titled debut LP on this day in 1980 through EMI.
I had the idea when I saw a film in which there was a torture instrument called an iron maiden, some kind of coffin with sharp spikes on the inside, that closes on its victim. I thought it fitted well to the music I was writing (Note: Steve Harris write almost all the songs of the band) and, as I love horror films, this is mainly where I get my inspiration from. This is how I wrote 'Murders In The Rue Morgue' or 'Phantom Of The Opera'. We play an aggressive music and I chose this theme, the horror depicted at the cinema or in comics, like others choose hell, for instance. And I think that this is why the kids have a great time with us.
Steve Harris / Iron Maiden interview, Guitare #8, 1981