Of all the albums Iron Maiden issued from 1980 up to the present day, there was only one instance when a member lasted for a single album – guitarist Dennis Stratton. But it was not any ordinary old Maiden album,
as it was the one that got the whole train a-rollin’ – their classic 1980 self-titled debut. Considered to be one of metal’s all-time great debuts, it captured the band – who in addition to Stratton, consisted of singer Paul Di’Anno, guitarist Dave Murray, bassist Steve Harris, and drummer Clive Burr – and their explosive, youthful energy splendidly.
The album contained some of Maiden’s most punk-y moments (namely “Prowler,” “Running Free,” “Charlotte the Harlot,” “Iron Maiden”), as well as more tranquil fare (“Remember Tomorrow,” “Strange World”), and a nod to their future prog-y direction (“Phantom of the Opera,” “Transylvania”). And with the album peaking at an impressive #4 on the UK album charts, Maiden became an instant concert attraction – resulting in a performance at the Reading Festival that summer, as well as opening much ofI thoroughly enjoyed it. And the crew. I find hanging around with the crew better than the band,
because you have more of a laugh. It was a shame because on the Kiss tour was when Rod started talking about the sort of music I listened to. We had constant arguments about what I listened to in my hotel room, and it was a shame because it started to affect his thinking about me in the band.” an entire European tour for Kiss.
