Adrian Smith recently opened up about his journey with Iron Maiden, explaining how his lifelong friendship with Dave Murray ultimately led him to join the legendary heavy metal band, and also shared his love for singing.
While Smith has been a key member of Iron Maiden for much of the band’s career, including during their iconic years, his path to Maiden was not straightforward. In fact, he initially turned down an offer to join the band in 1979, only to return in 1980 after Maiden parted ways with Dennis Stratton.
In a recent interview with Sonic Perspectives, Smith detailed his early days with Dave Murray, which set the foundation for his career in music. Reflecting on their friendship, he said, “When I was 15 years old, back in London, I met Dave Murray. We became best buddies because no one else in our neighborhood at that time was into Deep Purple and Free. We were crazy about it. We had long hair already. All the other kids were into soul music, and all they wanted to do was get cars, get married, and all that. Nothing wrong with that. But we wanted guitars, to be in a band. That was it.”
Smith’s bond with Murray also played a pivotal role in his decision to pursue music professionally. “Dave could play the guitar already, and I wanted to be in a band with him. I said, ‘Well, I’ll have a go at singing.’ So, that’s how I started. I sang and learned guitar as I went along, and I did that right up until I joined Maiden. I was fronting a band and singing, and I paid my dues in the pubs and clubs, singing through sh*tty PAs, no monitors, singing myself raw, and loved every minute of it.”
Smith, who returned to singing on the recent Smith/Kotzen album Black Light/White Noise, emphasized that singing has always been a part of him. “It’s always been in my DNA,” he said. He further explained, “I never had any singing lessons or anything, but I just love to do it. My dream has always been to have someone to trade off with, because I always loved the Purple lineup that had the two singers. I like Clapton and I like Stevie Ray [Vaughan]. I think they’re quite underrated singers, actually. Gary Moore, great singer. So, I like that. You know, if you take the guitar away from me, I’ll get a bit shy.”
When asked to pick his favorite Iron Maiden song, Smith selected “Wrathchild,” calling it a standout track despite its challenging riff. “One of my favorites has always been ‘Wrathchild’. That’s a great one. It’s not a great one to play, weirdly. It’s kind of awkward to play. That riff is kind of awkward. But I like the song. I do love the song.”
Smith’s reflections on his journey with Maiden showcase his passion for both guitar and vocals, and his deep connection with the music that has made Iron Maiden an enduring force in heavy metal.
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