IRON MAIDEN BIOGRAPHY — AGE, CAREER, SONGS, FACTS & 2027 TOUR

Iron Maiden, the British heavy metal pioneers formed in Leyton, East London in 1975 by bassist Steve Harris, helped launch the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), sold more than 100 million records worldwide, and in 2027 celebrate their 50th anniversary with the Run For Your Lives tour.

Formation & Rise (1975–1982)

Bassist Steve Harris founded the band in Leyton, East London in 1975, and the group soon became pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). Their 1982 album The Number of the Beast gave them their first UK No. 1 album and turned them into global headliners.

The Classic Lineup & Signature Songs

The current lineup brings together Bruce Dickinson (vocals), Steve Harris (bass), Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers (guitars), and Nicko McBrain (drums). Former vocalist Paul Di'Anno passed away in October 2024. Their signature songs include "The Trooper" (1983, from Piece of Mind; UK #12 — written by Harris about the Charge of the Light Brigade), "Run to the Hills", "Hallowed Be Thy Name", "Fear of the Dark" and "Aces High". Across their career they have released 17 studio albums in total.

Legacy & 2027 Tour

With more than 100 million records sold worldwide, Iron Maiden stand among the most successful heavy metal bands in history. They have now announced a surprise 2027 "Run For Your Lives" 50th-anniversary tour — read our Iron Maiden 2027 tour news for the dates, tickets and support acts.

If you enjoy classic artist profiles, also check out our Prince biography, Michael Jackson biography and Madonna biography.

Watch: The Trooper (Official Video)

Watch the official video for "The Trooper" below:

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Iron Maiden formed? Iron Maiden was formed in 1975 in Leyton, East London, by bassist Steve Harris.

Who are the current members? The current members are Bruce Dickinson, Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Janick Gers and Nicko McBrain.

What is their most famous album? Their most famous album is The Number of the Beast (1982) — their first UK No. 1.

Is Iron Maiden touring in 2027? Yes — the band has announced the "Run For Your Lives" 50th-anniversary tour for 2027.