Iron Maiden's original line-up reunite for the first time in 42 years
Four-fifths of the original Iron Maiden line-up got back together over the festive period for the first time in more than four decades.
Early Iron Maiden crew member turned author, Steve Loopy Newhouse, took to Facebook in the early hours of Sunday 30th December to share a photo of original vocalist Paul Mario Day with guitarists Terry Rance and Dave Sullivan and Iron Maiden’s sole constant member Steve Harris.
He wrote: “Four out of five ain't bad. The original Iron Maiden line up, but missing drummer Ron Matthews.”
Paul Mario Day also shared a photo taken by Newhouse, captioning it: “The gang almost all together since 1976, or there abouts. I cannot begin to tell you how good it feels. Tonight will burned in my memory for life. I may say more later after I process this evening.”
Alongside his photo, Day uploaded a vintage image of Iron Maiden at The Cart & Horses in Stratford, East London where Maiden played some of their earliest gigs.
Steve Harris formed Iron Maiden on Christmas Day 1975 after he left his previous group Smiler.
The band’s line-up changed a number of times before the release of their debut single ‘Running Free’ in February 1980, which featured Paul Di’Anno on vocals alongside Dave Murray, Dennis Stratton, Clive Burr and Steve Harris.
Following their rapturously received European shows last summer, the current incarnation of Iron Maiden will kick off the 38-date North American leg of The Legacy of the Beast World Tour at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida on 18th July.
The Latin American leg will take in shows in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile in September and October.
Paul Mario Day and friends will be taking part in a question and answer session at The Cart & Horses – billed as The Birthplace of Iron Maiden – on Sunday 20th January 2019.
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> The gang almost all together since 1976, or there abouts. I cannot begin to tell you how good it feels. Tonight will burned in my memory for life. I may say more later after I process this evening. > > Posted by Paul Mario Day on Saturday, 29 December 2018