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50 years of Iron Maiden: A time travel through the greatest tour and concert moments of the heavy metal legend

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Iron Maiden, the legendary British heavy metal band, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Five decades of energetic music, epic stage shows and unforgettable live performances have made the band one of the most influential acts in music history. With their signature sound and captivating stage presence, they have thrilled millions of fans worldwide. To pay tribute to the band's impressive legacy, we take a look at some of their greatest tour and concert moments - from humble beginnings to global mega-events. You don't want to miss this!

The first performance: “Cart & Horses” in Stratford, London (1976)

The story of Iron Maiden began in the late 1970s, and one of their first gigs in the “Cart & Horses” pub in Stratford, London, marked the start of an unprecedented career. In 1976, the band performed in front of just a few dozen people - a far cry from the huge crowds that would later fill their concerts. The small pub, now known as the “birthplace” of Iron Maiden, played an important role in the band's history. This concert symbolizes the humble beginning of a band that would soon become one of the biggest names in the rock world.

Donington Monsters of Rock (1988)

The road to success soon took Iron Maiden to the biggest stages in the world. One legendary concert that went down in the annals of the band's history was their performance at the Monsters of Rock Festival in Donington in 1988, headlining in front of over 100,000 fans and crowning their “Seventh Tour of a Seventh Tour” in support of the acclaimed album Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. This show not only marked the climax of the tour, but also a milestone in Iron Maiden's development into one of the most influential bands in heavy metal.

A highlight at this point was certainly the previous year's jam session between Paul Stanley (KISS), Bruce Dickinson and Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), who performed “Travelin'” by Creedence-Clearwater-Revival and “We Are An American Band” by Grand-Funk together. A gig we would have loved to have been at!

Rock in Rio (2001)

Another outstanding concert took place at the Rock in Rio Festival in Brazil in 2001. In front of an incredible crowd of more than 250,000 fans, Iron Maiden played a setlist that included their greatest hits, including “The Number of the Beast” and “Hallowed Be Thy Name”. This show was released as a live album and DVD and is still considered one of the band's best live recordings. The gigantic backdrop, the fans and the impressive performance made this concert a highlight of their career.

The Book of Souls World Tour (2016)

The Book of Souls Tour in 2016 was a particularly emotional and triumphant return to the stage. Following Bruce Dickinson's recovery from cancer, the band played a tour that set new standards both musically and technologically. In famous venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York, they put on a spectacular show that impressed with a gigantic Eddie robot and other visual highlights. Dickinson's return to the stage, full of power and passion, proved that Iron Maiden were still an unshakeable force in the music industry decades later.

The Legacy of the Beast Tour (2018–2022)

With the Legacy of the Beast Tour, the band took their live performances to a new level. This tour, inspired by the diverse themes of their albums, featured a spectacular stage show with elaborate props, stunning visuals and a set that felt like a musical retrospective of their career. The two-day show at the O2 in 2018 in particular will be remembered by many fans as it highlighted the band's close connection with their British audience. The tour received overwhelmingly positive reviews and underlined that, after five decades, Iron Maiden are still one of the best live acts in the world.

„The Nodding Donkeys“ – Norwich (1992)

Another remarkable and rare event in the band's history was the performance under the pseudonym “The Nodding Donkeys” in Norwich in 1992. This concert was part of a series of secret concerts that Iron Maiden played away from the big arena tours. The Norwich concert was special because it allowed fans to experience the band in an intimate setting - far removed from the massive stadiums they usually fill. Such “undercover” performances under pseudonyms were not only fun for the band, but also an opportunity to prepare for upcoming tours and test new songs.

For the fans in Norwich it was a special experience to see one of the biggest bands in the world in such a relaxed and close atmosphere, where the focus was more on the music and less on the spectacular show.

Conclusion: Half a century of heavy metal

Iron Maiden's 50-year band history is an impressive journey through the highs and lows of the music business. From humble beginnings in small London pubs to global mega-shows in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, the band has mastered a career that is second to none. Their epic tours and concerts, marked by unforgettable moments and spectacular stage shows, are a testament to their musical passion and unwavering dedication to their fans. Even after five decades, Iron Maiden are far from painting their wings. With a legacy that continues to inspire generations of fans and musicians, one thing is clear: Iron Maiden remains a steadfast icon of heavy metal - then, now and in the future.

If you want to see the band after these highlights, you should secure a ticket for their tour next year now. Order now.

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