Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in the East End of London. The band were formed in 1975 by bassist Steve Harris, formerly a member of Gypsy's Kiss and Smiler. Iron Maiden are one of the most successful and influential bands in the heavy metal genre, having sold over 100 million albums worldwide. The band won the Ivor Novello Awards for international achievement in 2002. They were also inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk during their tour in the United States in 2005.
The band have headlined several major events in their career, notably Rock in Rio, Ozzfest alongside Black Sabbath, Donington's "Monsters of Rock" and "Download" Festivals, Graspop Festival, and the "Reading and Leeds Festivals." They are also scheduled to be headlining the Wacken Open Air in 2008
Iron Maiden are influenced by Thin Lizzy, UFO and Deep Purple amongst others. Iron Maiden's mascot, Eddie, is a perennial fixture in the band's sci-fi and horror-influenced album cover art, as well as in live shows. Eddie was drawn by Derek Riggs until 1992, although there have been various incarnations by numerous artists including Melvyn Grant. Eddie is also featured in a first-person shooter video game from the band, Ed Hunter, as well as numerous books, graphic comics and band-related merchandise.
