Iron Maiden is a legendary English heavy metal band formed in 1975 in East London by bassist and main songwriter Steve Harris. Known as pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal, their classic lineup features Harris, vocalist Bruce Dickinson, drummer Nicko McBrain, and guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, and Janick Gers. The release of their third album, The Number of the Beast, with Dickinson as the new singer, propelled them to global fame and established them as heavy metal icons. Iron Maiden is celebrated for their powerful live shows, epic lyrical themes spanning history, mythology, and fantasy, and their iconic mascot, Eddie, who appears on almost every album cover. After a resurgence in the late 1990s, they have continued to top charts worldwide with recent albums and massive tours. With over 130 million albums sold and numerous awards, Iron Maiden remain one of the most influential and enduring bands in heavy metal history.