Top 10 Memorable and Engrossing Iron Maiden Concerts, According to Manager Rod Smallwood
Iron Maiden, the legendary British heavy metal band, has made a name for itself with its electrifying live performances and expansive global fanbase. Here's a look at some of their most significant international shows that marked key expansions of their audience, breakthrough successes in major markets, and reinforced their reputation as a leading live metal act.
The band's performance at the 1985 Rock In Rio in Brazil was monumental, introducing them to a huge South American audience for the first time and establishing their international presence beyond Europe and North America [2][4]. This concert, along with their first major North American arena sell-out show in Seattle in 1983 [2], were pivotal moments in their journey to global stardom.
The 1983 Coliseum show in Seattle was a milestone in their US breakthrough, marking their confidence to headline major venues. On the other hand, the 2005 Eddie Rips Up the World Tour, with massive stadium shows like the Ullevi Stadium in Sweden, underscored their massive global appeal and legacy [1]. This tour, which drew nearly 60,000 fans in Sweden, was broadcast live across Europe to about 60 million viewers.
The recording and release of their 1985 live album Live After Death, from performances in Long Beach and London, further cemented their reputation as one of the best live metal bands worldwide [1].
Iron Maiden's shows have always been a spectacle, and their performances in various parts of the world have left lasting impressions. For instance, the sight of Bruce Dickinson's bloody face after he kicked off some monitors during Rock In Rio had a huge impact on their popularity in South America, leading to them playing to a minimum of 40,000 people a night thereafter [5].
The band's first tour with their iconic Boeing 700 plane, which they named Ed Force One, began in 2009, and they played a show in Manaus, Brazil, at the foot of the Andes, the far west of the Amazon, where they performed to 25,000 people [6].
Iron Maiden has been fronted by three different singers: Paul Di'Anno, Bruce Dickinson, and Blaze Bayley. Rod Smallwood, who has managed the band for 45 years [3], saw their first show at The Swan, Hammersmith, London, UK in July 1979. Interestingly, bassist Steve Harris had to sing at that first show because Paul Di'Anno was arrested [7].
The band's journey has taken them to unique and historic venues. In Koseo Nenkin Hall, Tokyo, Japan in May 1981, audiences were all seated, and security would bang fans with rolled-up newspapers if they stood up [8]. The band also played before Queen at Rock In Rio, with the audience reportedly 300,000, possibly more [9].
In 2022, Iron Maiden announced that their new drummer for their 50th anniversary tour would be Simon Dawson [10]. As they continue their journey, it's clear that Iron Maiden's legacy as a leading live metal act is secure.
- Iron Maiden's legendary performance at Rock In Rio in Brazil in 1985 propelled them into the South American market, marking their international presence beyond Europe and North America.
- The band's first major North American arena sell-out show in Seattle in 1983 was a significant milestone in their journey to global stardom.
- The Eddie Rips Up the World Tour in 2005, with massive stadium shows like the Ullevi Stadium in Sweden, underscored Iron Maiden's massive global appeal and legacy.
- The 1985 live album Live After Death, from performances in Long Beach and London, further cemented Iron Maiden's reputation as one of the best live metal bands worldwide.
- Bruce Dickinson's bloody face at Rock In Rio had a huge impact on their popularity in South America, leading to them playing to a minimum of 40,000 people a night thereafter.
- Iron Maiden's first tour with their iconic Boeing 700 plane, Ed Force One, began in 2009, and they played a show in Manaus, Brazil, at the foot of the Andes.
- Rod Smallwood, who has managed Iron Maiden for 45 years, saw their first show at The Swan, Hammersmith, London, UK in July 1979. Bassist Steve Harris had to sing at that first show because Paul Di'Anno was arrested.
- Iron Maiden has performed at unique and historic venues, such as Koseo Nenkin Hall in Tokyo, Japan, where audiences were all seated, and security would bang fans with rolled-up newspapers if they stood up.
- In 2022, Iron Maiden announced that their new drummer for their 50th anniversary tour would be Simon Dawson, underlining their continued journey as a leading live metal act.
