Iron Maiden bassist and founding member Steve Harris has opened up about his genius songwriting style and the early days of the band in a new interview with Classic Rock.
Discussing his approach as a bassist-turned-songwriter, Harris explained how his compositions stood out from conventional guitar-driven rock.
“As a bass player, I don’t write or play like a guitarist would,” he said. “And with ‘Phantom’ it was obvious that my style of writing was very different to what people were used to, and what guitarists were used to. My songs were unusual, a bit quirky, but it felt natural to me.”
Harris’ unconventional approach contributed to Iron Maiden’s signature sound, which blended aggression with intricate melodies. And off course; his unique bass lines. While some have associated early Maiden with punk’s raw energy, Harris firmly rejected that notion.
“People said that Maiden had this ‘punk’ thing, but everyone knows I don’t like punk at all, so it’s not that,” he clarified. “At that age, you’re full of energy, and that’s what you want to come through, but with loads of melody. That’s why I wanted twin guitars.”
Harris’ vision of melodic aggression and dual-guitar harmonies became a defining feature of Iron Maiden, setting them apart from their contemporaries and shaping the evolution of heavy metal.
With over four decades of groundbreaking music, Maiden’s influence remains as strong as ever—driven by the passion and distinctive creativity that Harris brought to the band from day one.
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