Steve Harris, Iron Maiden’s bassist and primary songwriter, cites bands such as Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Uriah Heep, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes, Jethro Tull, Thin Lizzy, UFO, and Wishbone Ash as key influences on his musical taste. In 2010, Harris remarked: "I think if anyone wants to understand early Maiden recordings—especially the guitar harmonies—all they have to do is listen to the album *Argus* by Wishbone Ash. Thin Lizzy, too, though perhaps to a lesser extent. Elements of prog-rock were also very important, as I’m a huge fan of bands like Genesis and Jethro Tull. Combine all of that with heavy riffs and a high tempo, and you get Iron Maiden."
In 2004, Harris explained that the heaviness of the band’s sound was inspired by the work of "Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, with a touch of Led Zeppelin." Furthermore, by playing exclusively with his fingers—never using a plectrum—Harris developed a unique style; guitarist Janick Gers describes his approach as playing the bass as if it were a rhythm guitar. Harris is also the architect of the band’s signature "galloping" style, heard in classics like "The Trooper" and "Run to the Hills." He stands out as one of the first bassist-leaders in music history to write over 80% of his group’s lyrics and musical repertoire, effectively forging an entirely new sound.
The band’s guitarists—Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Janick Gers—each bring their own distinct influences and playing styles, honed over many years. Dave Murray is best known for his use of legato technique—a style he claims he developed quite naturally. His playing was inspired by Jimi Hendrix, an artist who has fascinated him since childhood. The Iron Maiden guitarist openly admits that, contrary to popular belief, his playing is rooted in classic rhythm and blues rather than the heavy metal one might expect from an Iron Maiden member. Adrian Smith, meanwhile, was influenced from a young age by the playing styles of Johnny Winter, Pat Travers, and Michael Schenker—influences that fostered his focus on melodic lines. Janick Gers favors a more improvisational approach, largely inspired by Ritchie Blackmore; his style serves as a counterpoint to the more "rhythmic" quality of Smith’s guitar licks.
Vocalist Bruce Dickinson—who frequently collaborates with Adrian Smith—is noted for his operatic vocal style, drawing inspiration from the pioneering work of Arthur Brown, Peter Hammill, Ian Anderson, and Ian Gillan. Drummer Nicko McBrain represents a classic school of drumming, shaped by the contributions of musicians such as Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Ian Paice, and Cozy Powell. McBrain’s playing reveals an inclination toward the syncopation characteristic of classic jazz, as well as techniques typical of rhythm and blues. Although Nicko McBrain has written only one song for Iron Maiden (“New Frontier,” from the 2003 album *Dance of Death*), Harris often relies on his input when developing rhythm section parts for the band’s compositions. The influences of former Iron Maiden members are also well-known. Dennis Stratton, the guitarist who played alongside Dave Murray on Iron Maiden’s 1980 self-titled debut album, drew inspiration from the work of Jeff Beck, Santana, and Rory Gallagher, as well as from albums by Status Quo, the Eagles, and Journey. The late drummer Clive Burr, who featured on the band’s first three classic records, looked to the work of John Bonham, Bill Ward, and Bill Bruford for inspiration. Drummers from bands such as Slayer, Testament, Accept, Iced Earth, Nevermore, Helloween, Death, Morbid Angel, Metallica, Anthrax, Kreator, Deicide, Machine Head, Emperor, Mayhem, Sodom, Running Wild, Shadows Fall, and Avenged Sevenfold have noted that Burr’s playing significantly shaped their own individual styles.
Paul Di’Anno, who sang on Iron Maiden’s first two albums, was inspired by vocalists from the punk rock scene—most notably those in the UK Subs, The Clash, the Sex Pistols, and the Ramones—as well as by glam rock artists like Gary Glitter and Marc Bolan. Blaze Bayley, who replaced Bruce Dickinson from 1994 to 1998, drew inspiration from the work of Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan, Kiss, David Coverdale, and Dickinson himself.
The band’s guitarists—Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Janick Gers—each bring their own distinct influences and playing styles, honed over many years. Dave Murray is best known for his use of legato technique—a style he claims he developed quite naturally. His playing was inspired by Jimi Hendrix, an artist who has fascinated him since childhood. The Iron Maiden guitarist openly admits that, contrary to popular belief, his playing is rooted in classic rhythm and blues rather than the heavy metal one might expect from an Iron Maiden member. Adrian Smith, meanwhile, was influenced from a young age by the playing styles of Johnny Winter, Pat Travers, and Michael Schenker—influences that fostered his focus on melodic lines. Janick Gers favors a more improvisational approach, largely inspired by Ritchie Blackmore; his style serves as a counterpoint to the more "rhythmic" quality of Smith’s guitar licks.
Vocalist Bruce Dickinson—who frequently collaborates with Adrian Smith—is noted for his operatic vocal style, drawing inspiration from the pioneering work of Arthur Brown, Peter Hammill, Ian Anderson, and Ian Gillan. Drummer Nicko McBrain represents a classic school of drumming, shaped by the contributions of musicians such as Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Ian Paice, and Cozy Powell. McBrain’s playing reveals an inclination toward the syncopation characteristic of classic jazz, as well as techniques typical of rhythm and blues. Although Nicko McBrain has written only one song for Iron Maiden (“New Frontier,” from the 2003 album *Dance of Death*), Harris often relies on his input when developing rhythm section parts for the band’s compositions. The influences of former Iron Maiden members are also well-known. Dennis Stratton, the guitarist who played alongside Dave Murray on Iron Maiden’s 1980 self-titled debut album, drew inspiration from the work of Jeff Beck, Santana, and Rory Gallagher, as well as from albums by Status Quo, the Eagles, and Journey. The late drummer Clive Burr, who featured on the band’s first three classic records, looked to the work of John Bonham, Bill Ward, and Bill Bruford for inspiration. Drummers from bands such as Slayer, Testament, Accept, Iced Earth, Nevermore, Helloween, Death, Morbid Angel, Metallica, Anthrax, Kreator, Deicide, Machine Head, Emperor, Mayhem, Sodom, Running Wild, Shadows Fall, and Avenged Sevenfold have noted that Burr’s playing significantly shaped their own individual styles.
Paul Di’Anno, who sang on Iron Maiden’s first two albums, was inspired by vocalists from the punk rock scene—most notably those in the UK Subs, The Clash, the Sex Pistols, and the Ramones—as well as by glam rock artists like Gary Glitter and Marc Bolan. Blaze Bayley, who replaced Bruce Dickinson from 1994 to 1998, drew inspiration from the work of Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan, Kiss, David Coverdale, and Dickinson himself.
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