The Beast Is Born

By the end of 1975 the band Iron Maiden was born.  The name was taken from an old movie called 'The Man In The Iron Mask' where a large metal coffin (an Iron Maiden) was used as a torture device.

In spring 1976 Maiden had secured a place at The Cart & Horse pub in Stratford, East London.  The first couple of gigs went down well but Harris thought the band needed something else.  That something was vocalist Dennis Wilcock.  Wilcock replaced Paul Day at the microphone and brought in a theatrical element to Maiden, just what Harris was looking for.  Dennis, being a huge KISS fan, would wear face make up on stage, running a sword through his mouth, whilst chewing a blood capsule - giving the effect of blood spewing from his mouth.

Wilcock recommended a talented young guitarist to Harris, which happened to be Dave Murray.  The two guitarists, Terry Rance and Dave Sullivan, thought that bringing in another guitarist was an insult to their talent and left the band.  They made Harris choose between them or Murray, of course Harris chose Murray.  Terry Rance and Paul Sullivan left Maiden, leaving a space for Bob Sawyer, who only actually lasted a few gigs.

During an argument between Wilcock and Murray, Murray was sacked - something which Harris would soon regret.  Enter Terry Wapram, Murray's replacement and Tony Moore, a keyboard player.  The band found that keyboards only worked with certain songs so that line up only lasted one gig.

The drummer, Ron Rebel, was the next to depart (he left on his own accord).  The replacement Barry Purkins, aka Thunderstick, continuously played out of time and even started to be abusive to some members of the audience.  Consequently he only lasted one gig.  Luckily enough, Doug Sampson, Smiler's old drummer, was in the audience that night and happily agreed to take over as Maiden's Drummer.

Steve Harris was still unhappy with the guitar problem and he knew the only way it was ever going to get sorted out was if Murray came back.  Murray was working with a band called 'Urchin' at the time with Adrian Smith, who had originally put the band together.  Murray returned to Maiden but that was not the end of the problems.

The next to go was Wilcock, who was quickly losing focus on the band.  One night he didn't even turn up for a gig!  That was the end for him and was asked to leave.  Maiden were now a three piece with no vocalist.  Without even looking they found someone.  One of Harris' friends, Trevor Searle, recommended someone called Paul Di'Anno.  They told him to come and see them, enabling the band to check him out.  After a very short rehearsal he was in.

So the line up was now complete for the 1st album except for a second guitarist which changed rapidly over the months.  Now all Maiden needed was a manager, someone who could guide them forward and get them a record deal.