Composer of most of the songs of Iron Maiden selected his favorite “daughters” from the perspective of his main instrument
Leader and founder of Iron Maiden, Steve Harris It was noted as one of the most idolized bassists in the history of Heavy Metal. Its timbre is easily recognizable: slightly stalled and worked from the use of the pizzicato technique, which sounds “galloping” in the instrument.
Interestingly, at first tried to be a drummer. It didn’t work out. Instead of migrating to the guitar, as many would do, adopted the bass. The reason? “If I can’t play battery, I must play with the battery, in rhythmic terms”explained, in an interview of 2020 to LUDWIRE (via Igor Miranda website).
Also main composer of Maiden, Harris developed a series of iconic lines. But what would be his favorites? In an interview with the magazine Bass playerthe legendary musician revealed six choices considering the entire catalog of the band – exception made to the album Senjutsu (2021), which did not exist at the time.
The best lines from Steve Harris, according to his own
1) “Phantom of the Opera” (from the album Iron Maiden, 1980)
Steve Harris:“I created it in the back room of my grandmother’s house. I was living with her at the time. Lucky for me that I had my own room there, because the uncles and aunts had left home. I remember from the beginning I thought I created something very good. ”
2) “Innocent Exile” (from the album Killers, 1981)
SH:“That was before I formed Maiden. I made the opening riff with another band, called Smilentbut the music had another name. The rest of the song was changed later, but the introduction is probably the same time when I composed ‘Burning Ambition’ [lançada em 1980 como lado B do single ‘Running Free’]which was the first real song I created. ”
3) “Run to the Hills” (from the album The Number of the Beast, 1982)
SH:“Before the first album, we had four and a half years of songs made. And then there were only three new songs on the second album, Killers. 80% or 90% of this material was also from the first four years. When we get to The Number of the Beastthere was nothing more. I remember thinking: ‘Christ, not only have a new vocalist [Bruce Dickinson]but we don’t have any songs anymore ‘. [Risos] This was considerable pressure. ”
4) “Where Eagles Dare” (from the album Piece of Mind, 1983)
SH:“PIECE OF MIND It was the first record of Nicko [McBrain, baterista] with the band. Your way of playing is very different from that of Clive [Burr, baterista anterior] and changed our ‘flavor’. He composed nothing and we just kept composing as we wanted, but we tried some things, like the battery line that opens ‘Where Eagles Dare’. I hit that on my legs for him. I can’t play battery or if my life depended on it [Risos]. ”
5) “To Tame a Land” (from the album Piece of Mind, 1983)
SH:“This was one of the first ones I thought some interesting musical things were happening. We force the boundaries with this a little. Again, there was a lot of pressure. The Number of the Beast It was the number one album in the UK and that puts you under a lot of pressure. But I think we always thrive under pressure. ”
6) The Red and the Black (from the album The Book of Souls, 2015)
SH:“In fact, I had the introduction for a while, but I never found what I could match it. So I just felt it was the right time to work on it. I think it has a Spanish influence, which connected with the [significado da] Music itself. I was very happy with the result. ”
Rolling Stone Brazil Special: Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden on the cover: A Rolling Stone Brazil He launched an edition of unpublished collector for fans of the Heavy Metal band. The biggest albums, the list of shows in Brazil, the power of the group’s market and even a tour of the band’s plane you can see in the printed special, for sale at Profile store.
+++ Read more: The worst year of Steve Harris’s life, bassist at Iron Maiden
+++ Read more: the huge amount of visits from Bruce Dickinson to Brazil in the postpandy
+++ Read more: Bruce Dickinson’s emotional speech honoring Nicko McBrain in SP
+++ Read more: Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson, reveals that he was ready to get a new vocalist during cancer
+++ click here to follow Rolling Stone Brasil @rollingstonebrasil on Instagram
+++ Click here to follow journalist Igor Miranda @igormirandasite on Instagram
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
