Iron Maiden’s rapidly growing success across their first four albums was matched only by the churn of members. Between 1980’s self-titled debut and 1981’s Killers, guitarist Dennis Stratton was replaced by Adrian Smith. The following year, vocalist Paul Di’Anno was out, as Bruce Dickinson came in for The Number Of The Beast. Then it was the turn of drummer Clive Burr to be given his marching orders, with Nicko McBrain arriving for 1983’s Piece Of Mind. While the ever-shifting line-up didn’t hurt Maiden’s momentum – or their album sales – McBrain’s arrival brought some much-needed stability.
“We had done a world tour to bed Nicko into the band,” says bassist and found Steve Harris. “Obviously the bass player has to work very well with the drummer. So yeah, maybe it did create some more confidence.”
