Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris recently addressed persistent myths about the band’s early formation. He clarified details about their origins in a statement shared on Louder Sound.
The bassist’s comments came in response to a question about the band’s formation date. They addressed false claims made by individuals about their involvement in Iron Maiden’s early days.
“It was a few months before Christmas. But there’s been all kinds of other rumors about the early days,” Harris said.
Harris specifically called out false claims made by someone who appeared on television claiming to be the band’s first drummer.
“One bloke claimed he was in the band, and was on Antiques Roadshow saying he was the first drummer in Maiden. Absolute rubbish!” he continued. “Then he said we were going to be called Mountain Ash, or something like that.”
Harris’s frustration with these false claims stems from the band’s well-documented early lineup changes. These changes have been thoroughly recorded throughout Iron Maiden’s history.
Iron Maiden Bulgaria reported that Clive Burr was actually the fourth drummer in the British heavy metal band. He joined in 1979 after previously playing in the band Samson. The drummer position had already seen several changes before Burr’s arrival. This makes any claims about being the “first” drummer easily disprovable through the band’s documented history.
Burr’s recruitment came through guitarist Dennis Stratton’s recommendation. Popdose noted that he impressed Harris during his audition performance of “Running Free,” which became Maiden’s first EMI single. His tenure with the band proved highly productive, contributing to three landmark albums.
The drummer played on Iron Maiden’s first three studio releases—Iron Maiden, Killers, and The Number of the Beast. He co-wrote tracks including “Gangland” and “Total Eclipse.” Popdose documented that Burr departed Iron Maiden at the end of their 1982 supporting tour for The Number of the Beast. He left behind a significant legacy in the band’s formative years.
The statement helps set the record straight on Iron Maiden’s actual formation timeline. It dismisses fabricated stories about the band’s earliest lineup, reinforcing the importance of accurate historical documentation in rock music history.
