Former Iron Maiden Members Paul Di’Anno, Blaze Bayley, and “Eddie” Creator Derek Riggs to be Inducted into Metal Hall of Fame 2021


In a big announcement from The Metal Hall of Fame will induct iconic former Iron Maiden members Paul Di’Anno, Blaze Bayley, and “Eddie” creator Derek Riggs into the Hall with the class of 2021. Paul Di’Anno wrote and sang on Maiden’s first two legendary albums. They are still considered by many Iron Maiden fans to be their favorites. Bayley was hired following the departure of vocalist Bruce Dickinson in the 1990s. Bayley wrote and sang for Iron Maiden for five years and recorded two albums with the band. Blaze-era songs are still concert staples in the band’s setlist today. Derek Riggs is the genius behind the visual side of Iron Maiden. He created the iconic “Eddie” character, one of the most beloved mascots in history. Many can argue that a huge part of the band’s continuous global success is attributed to the sinister, gruesome, shape-shifting Eddie.

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Classic Albums Revisited: 40 Years of Iron Maiden – “Killers”


It was a drizzly, grey Saturday morning sometime in 1982 and I was being dragged around the shops by my parents. At some point, we ended up in a WH Smiths record shop. I wasn’t even into music then, of any description, but I flicked idly through the vinyl anyway just to pass the time. By chance, two tall, long-haired cavemen clad in denim and leather came and stood next to me. When one of them leaned over and picked up something called The Number of the Beast it grabbed my attention instantly, my ten-year-old face transfixed by the artwork on the front. As he lifted it out, I noticed more artwork, this time on the back of his jacket. Iron Maiden – Purgatory. It looked magnificent. I’d never even heard of Iron Maiden before then and I certainly didn’t know who or what a Purgatory was, but I knew I wanted to see more. Grabbing the next record in the section, my eyes didn’t leave the intricately painted sleeve until my parents came and literally pulled it out of my hands. Killers.

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