The Prophecy

Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son was Maiden's album release for Christmas 1987 and took only 10 weeks to record.  Can I play with madness was released on 20th March 1988 and managed to reach no. 3, staying there for a 3 weeks.

Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son was released a few weeks later and did extremly well getting to no.1 in the UK as well as having 4 top ten singles - Can I Play With Madness, The Evil That Men Do, The Clairvoyant and Infinite Dreams. There was a great atmosphere to the album with the keyboards complimenting the guitars, giving depth and feeling to the music.

Seventh Tour Of A Seventh Tour lasted 7 months taking the band to a total of 25 countries.  While touring Harris' bass technician, Michael Kenney, played the keyboards.  The highlight of the tour was definitely headlining the Monsters Of Rock festival at Donington.  Many other great bands played including Megadeath, Helloween, Guns 'N' Roses and Kiss (only time they have ever been a support band) which shows how popular they were amongst Metal fans. Making it even more amazing was that it was the largest Donington ever, 107,000 fans were there.  After the event they told the public just how nervous they actually were, but it certainly did not show in their performance.

A year off was needed by band members after the tour, giving them time to see families and work on solo projects or Maiden related activities.  Harris edited a live video recorded at the NEC in Birmingham, England.  Smith released Silver And Gold and Dickinson released a solo album, Tatooed Millionaire and a book, The Adventures Of Lord Iffy Boatrace.

When they next return a new guitarist would be needed, as Smith had left Maiden to pursue a solo career.  Dickinson was also getting closer and closer to leaving.

The classic line up was no more and would not be back untill many yaers later.