IRON MAIDEN – The History of Iron Maiden Part 1: The Early Days (2004 EMI DVD)
Staying on the cutting edge, Iron Maiden released one of the best and most value-packed videos of anyone’s career with The History of Iron Maiden Part 1: The Early Days. We won’t get too much into how they never really properly followed it. We’ll just praise it for what it is: A must-buy DVD for your Iron Maiden collection, and your education.
The DVD is divided into several sections, with the main feature The Early Days winding up on Disc Two. That’s where we’ll start.
Disc Two
The Early Days
Released to DVD on, The Early Days is a 90 minute feature directed by Matthew Amos. Impressively and most importantly, they gathered together as many past members as were willing and able. Many of them have never seen interviewed before: Doug Sampson, Rob “Rebel” Matthews, Dave Sullivan, Terry Rance, Bob Sawyer, Terry Wapram, Paul Di’Anno, Dennis Stratton, and Clive Burr. This in addition to Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Nicko McBrain. We gain some insight into the formation of Steve’s early band Gypsy’s Kiss. What Steve really needed was a band where he could lead. Gypsy’s Kiss broke up after a mere five gigs, due to the usual “musical differences”. Iron Maiden formed, and gained fans via word of mouth. There is the claim that original singer Paul Mario Day didn’t have a great stage presence, according to original drummer Ron “Rebel” Matthews. Looking for a showman, they went with Wilcock who was highly influenced by Kiss. He had this sword gimmick with fake blood coming from his mouth. Musically, Dave Murray was the turning point, but Dennis Wilcock convinced Steve to fire the whole band. Steve and Wilcock formed a new Iron Maiden, with Thunderstick on drums. You know! The guy with the leather mask, best known from Samson. He blew a gig (on drugs) and was fired. Maiden tried a keyboard player instead of a second guitarist, until Wilcock suddenly left the band. Doug Sampson from one of Steve’s first bands, Smiler, joined in. Dave Murray came back, and they found Paul Di’Anno. This would prove to be the foundation of Iron Maiden. They toiled with a four-man lineup, as they tried out guitarists. Paul Todd, Tony Parsons, and “Mad Mac” all their moments, but don’t last. Parsons, at least, was recorded on a number of tracks now released on Eddie’s Archive. Speaking of whom, Eddie is finally created (as a smoke-breathing head), and Maiden had a mascot. The Soundhouse Tapes were recorded, and handed to DJ Neal Kaye. This led to a live gig at the Soundhouse and things began to snowball.
Future manager Rod Smallwood got hold of the tape. Somehow he managed to sign Iron Maiden to a three record deal, which was an incredible guarantee for Iron Maiden. Doug Sampson unfortunately was not healthy enough to enjoy the spoils. He would not be able to tour, and had to be replaced. The talented Dennis Stratton came aboard on guitar and backing vocals, bringing drummer Clive Burr with him. The lineup that recorded the EMI debut was set.
The band were not happy with original producer Will Malone, who was disengaged and uninterested. Artist Derek Riggs was found, and Eddie was brought to life. Iron Maiden performed live on Top of the Pops, the first band to actually play live since the Who in the 1970s. Touring with Kiss, Maiden took note of their stage and performance. It is acknowledged that Kiss were their model when they chose to get more theatrical on future tours. Unfortunately for Stratton, Dennis was let go at the end of the Kiss tour. Regardless of his talent, they were not cut from the same cloth. They knew Adrian Smith from his band Urchin (“Roller” is shown). Martin Birch (Deep Purple) is recruited to produce the more satisfying second album, and they band embark on their first world tour.
The beloved Paul Di’Anno began to falter. Even Paul acknowledges that Maiden did the right thing by getting Bruce Bruce from Samson. Bruce electrified the band, in the studio and on stage. He enabled them to push it further. On stage, he was an acrobat. This caused some friction with the bass player, who was quite used to standing next to the singer on center stage. Now, there was a madman running about, colliding with Steve Harris at center stage as they battled for position. It only made the band that much better live.
It’s clearly a tough gig. Clive Burr was not doing well. The drummer was given three months to sort himself out but he couldn’t. Lacking time, the band had to move on. Nicko McBrain was known from the band Trust, and was the natural guy to take over. Food For Thought was considered for the next album title, but we all know it became Piece of Mind.
Cut to Maiden live at Dortmund. To be continued.
Disc One
Live at The Rainbow (originally released on VHS on 11 May 1981) – 30 minutes
Recorded 21 December 1980
The video quality on Live at the Rainbow is incredible – feels more like late 80s than early 80s quality! However it was recorded and remastered for DVD, they did a smashing job here. This lineup features a short-haired Adrian Smith on guitar, and has a stage set with the first album Eddie as the backdrop. Paul Di’Anno is rocking mega spikes on his arms and belt, as was the look at the time.
The set begins with a cracking good version of “Wrathchild”. Then Paul introduces the “Title track from the second album!”, but the lyrics are the early version from before the words were finalized. “Killers” features an incredible top-speed Clive Burr. There are great closeup of Davey playing the descending harmonics. The lights go dim, and the band are in darkness for the quiet opening of “Remember Tomorrow”. The lights really go nuts on heavy parts. Steve moves to the front for the instrumental “Transylvania” as he becomes the focus on stage. The epic “Phantom of the Opera” follows. Clive shows the world why he was so beloved in Iron Maiden. He’s absolutely hammering here. This could be the greatest version of the song ever released. The set closes with “Iron Maiden”. Davey starts with a whammy dive, before going into the main lick. Paul has jacket on. You can tell there was some editing here, as Paul had no shirt on the previous song, and now he has his jacket. It’s a treat to see Dave and Adrian play those harmonies and leads though.
Beast Over Hammersmith (full audio available on Eddie’s Archive, video previously unreleased) – 45 minutes
Recorded 20 March 1982
They claim the full show is unwatchable. They say they had to do a lot of work just to restore the nine songs on this DVD. Regardless, this show including Bruce is great to watch because of the contrast. Now the band were on the big stage. Now they had a stage show. Now they had Bruce.
There is an opening montage of the crowd entering the venue, lots of jean jackets and patches, to the tune of “Murders in the Rue Morgue”. Bruce enters like a whirlwind! The lighting rig is cool – like a “V” of lights on stage below Clive. “Run to the Hills” is early in the set and now it’s refreshing to go back to 1982 and hear Young Bruce singing it at full lungs. Bruce is noticeably a far more visual frontman than Paul was. Only one studded arm though! “Children of the Damned” is next, as the lights dim a bit and Bruce stands center stage. No running about, this time.
“The Number of the Beast” sees the crowd fairly calm during the opening, since it is a new song and they don’t know the opening yet. Davey headbangs through the whole thing! Annoyingly, the camera avoids Adrian during his part of the guitar solo. During “22 Acacia Avenue”, Bruce reveals that Adrian had some bruised or broken ribs! Though musically brilliant, this is where the band lost their way. Charlotte appears on stage in the flesh, dancing next to Adrian, raising her legs, and moving to center stage in front of Bruce. It’s a rare miss for Iron Maiden as it takes the focus away from the band.
Bruce introduces the “B-side of our current single!”, and it’s the rarely played “Total Eclipse”. Bruce’s vocal is far more expressive than the studio version. This time the camera focuses on the appropriate guitar players during the split solo, thankfully. Bruce then removes his leather jacket for the melodic masterpiece “The Prisoner” For “Hallowed Be Thy Name”, he most dramatic song of the set, Bruce stands on the “V” steps by the drums. Then, he comes down later to rile up the crowd as the song gets faster and harder. Finally, it’s “Iron Maiden” and Bruce explains to the crowd what the torture device does. The band really explode onstage for this fast blaster!
Live In Dortmund – Rock and Pop Festival (previously unreleased) – 45 minutes
Recorded 18 Dec 1983, broadcast only once
Maiden headlined over Ozzy, Scorpions, Def Leppard, Priest and Michael Schenker if you can believe it. Maiden over Ozzy. For this Piece of Mind era show including Nicko McBrain, we only have the surviving broadcast tapes. “Iron Maiden” was also played, but cut from broadcast due to an Eddie “lobotomy” with tissues and ribbons counting as “excessive violence”. The recording of that song is now lost.
Bruce had what we’ll call his “caveman look” with a shirt like something Fred would wear on the Flintstones, paired with some leather trousers. We open with “Sanctuary” and a very animated Nicko on the cymbals, when he stands for the cheer break. Bruce’s vocal delivery is a tad too operatic for this song. Davey’s solo is gravy. Onto “The Trooper”! Bruce waves the union Jack, with smoke all over the stage. The guitars are a bit thin sounding on this recording. One cool moment is when Steve runs up drum riser and plays face to face with Nicko. Steve is a real band leader, interacting with all the members on stage. It is during “Revelations” that Bruce plays a Les Paul during the guitar harmonies. Plays, or “plays”, it was rarely seen and here it is documented. (It is this version that is included on the Best of the Beast vinyl LP limited edition. His vocal here is powerful and far more expressive than the album. It is a brilliant, full sounding version, loaded with energy. There is however an annoying close-up on the stage Eddie (behind Nicko) during instrumental mid-section that keeps repeating.
“Scream for me, Dortmund! The Flight of Icarus!” The bass sounds heavier on this version. Bruce nails the chorus. No backing vocals audible as on Live After Death. An absolutely killer rendition. Back to “22 Acacia Avenue”, there is no dancing girl this time, Maiden having learned their lessons. The audience is a sea of hands. A great live version, with Bruce adding extra flair.
Now that they are familiar with the song, the audience speaks along to “The Number of the Beast” and its opening narration. A grim reaper, concealed in smoke, appears on stage. The band leaves, and then returns for the encore “Run to the Hills” and final song of the included set. The chorus sounds different this time, lower perhaps. Maybe it is because Steve’s backing vocals being so high in the mix? At the end, Bruce destroys a drum kit!
Disc Two
There is plenty more to be seen and heard on disc two of this set, besides just The Early Days documentary. There is a whole other 45 minute unreleased set of music from the band’s own archive, and lots of TV stuff included as well. Here is a detailed breakdown of everything else on Disc Two.
20th Century Box – 21 minutes
Recorded & broadcast 1981
This television special is primarily framed in terms of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (here called a “revival”), and the musical culture of the time with Punk also reigning high. There is rare black and white footage from the Marquee club, including “Phantom of the Opera”, “Drifter” and “Iron Maiden”. There are interviews with Steve and Paul (in a comics shop!), Neal Kaye, Geoff Barton, famed air guitarist Rob Loonhouse (age 23), and many fans. Produced for television, everything is slick and pro-shot. A valuable time capsule.
Live at the Ruskin (previously unreleased) – 45 minutes
Recorded 14 April 1980
As of this DVD, Live at the Ruskin is the oldest known video of Iron Maiden live. It is single camera of surprising quality, probably filmed by road tech Vic Vella. The Ruskin was kind of a home base to Iron Maiden, and so the introduction goes: “Welcome, your very own Iron Maiden!” Paul is very talkative, as if presiding over a party with friends. Heck, his own mum is in the house! And so is guitarist Dennis Stratton, not yet sacked, and very much showing his value in this video.
“This is a song you should all know by now, it’s our next single.” And know it they do. “Sanctuary” lights the place up. The young band appears crowded on that small stage. Dennis’ Les Paul solo is speedy magnificence. Davey takes the second solo, with wah wah pedal. Paul Di’Anno is very growly, and the “chuggy” section at the end is longer. The video gets blurry a bit on “Wrathchild”, but it’s awesome to hear a version with Dennis’ solos. The sweat is visible on Di’Anno’s face during “Prowler”. Again, it is amazing to hear a live version with Dennis, as his tone was not the same as Davey’s or Adrian’s. He also sings ample backing vocals, and his voice is different from Adrian’s.
A touch slower version of “Remember Tomorrow” follows, and then Clive leads the clapping on “Running Free”. Vocally this is one of the best versions available, and that’s partly due to Dennis’ audible backing vocals. Dennis and Davey perfectly in sync on guitar harmonies. Outstanding version. The instrumental “Transylviania” also features a lot of Dennis. He does the first solo, and the main guitar lick of the song.
Time for band intros, as Paul removes his shirt. Then it’s onto “Another Life”, the only official live version with Dennis ever released. Steve’s bass is dominant, with a lot of high notes. This is back when Maiden still had drum solos. “Clive Burr on drums!” The audio goes out for a second, it’s not your DVD.
“Phantom of the Opera” features Steve and Dennis on backing vocals, in a very version. Amusingly , you can spy lots of beer cans visible behind Davey on his amp. Then we end the recording with “Charlotte the Harlot”. Paul explains that it’s a song about a whorehouse, a brothel! He can’t say more, as his mum is in the house! There is a meandering intro, but Iron Maiden were not an arena act yet. Another powerful version!
Top of the Pops
Two tracks here: “Women in Uniform” (22/02/1980) with Adrian on guitar. Actually live! This is the only official live version of “Women in Uniform”, ever. The drums sound shit, and you can hardly hear the guitars. It’s not like Top of the Pops knew how to broadcast a live rock band. The second track is “Running Free” (13/11/1980) which sounds better. Paul is wearing the striped shirt under leather jacket.
Rock and Pop ZTV
Only one track here, from a German broadcast in 1980. It’s a mimed “Running Free” with Adrian on guitar.
Five Promo Videos
You’ve seen ’em on TV, on Visions of the Beast, and now here too: “Women In Uniform”, “Run to the Hills”, “The Number of the Beast”, “The Trooper” and “Flight of Icarus”, all original versions. It doesn’t matter what people think today; back in the 80s these were some of the coolest music videos ever! “Flight of Icarus” even had footage from inside the recording studio, which was not common for a lot of metal bands.
Steve’s Diary & Scrapbook, On The Road
Click and flick through the scans! Interesting stuff about seeing Genesis at the Hammersmith, and the Stones at Knebworth. There’s even some band bookkeeping: getting paid 5 pounds for expenses, 10 pounds for a gig at Cart and Horses. The biggest payout you see in these receipts was 25 pounds. Steve even documents his bass amp payment installments. Some major Maiden history is recorded: the day Dennis Wilcock auditions to replace Paul Day (“Mon the 20th”). Steve’s thoughts: “Now the hard part is to tell Paul…” Paul Mario Day did 26 gigs in total, and understood when Steve broke the bad news. The scrapbook has gig ads back to 1976. One gig has them second to Samson (at the Music Machine, in Camden). The section titled “On the Road” contains photo galleries going all the way back to 1973, Smiler, and the first Iron Maiden lineup. There are pictures of Vic Vella, Rob Loonhouse, and many more. This goes up to 1983, and includes tour programs, tour dates (back to 1979), shirts, backstage passes and assorted art. All very fascinating stuff, but limited by the DVD format. Today you’d do this on a website.
There is also an album and singles discography, with art. Again this is something that works better on a website today.
And that’s an exhaustive review on an essential Maiden DVD. There is even a beefy booklet with liner notes to read. Maiden even toured for the DVD, playing only songs from the “Early Days”. Now that’s how you do a release. If only we had a live album from that tour! Deluxe edition, lads?
4.5/5 stars
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