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Steve Harris Owns the Stage
- Thread starter Geddyfleaharris
- Start date
I've seen Maiden twice, and while they aren't my favorite metal band (they're high up there though), they probably put on the best show I've ever seen. The amount of energy those old guys put out is incredible... Steve is ridiculously solid. Galloping isn't super complicated, but it ain't easy either. Plus he has alot of really sweet lines, and just huge stage presence.
yeah I love steve harris' bass playing style. I grew up listening to all the maiden albums and played in numerous bands that played maiden songs and his style was tough to play. Yeah he plays that galloping style..like a horse trotting...but it works so well with the music. Dude's gotta be 55 by now..eh?
He rocks!!
Steves only 52. Nicko is the oldest at 56.
Just goes to show you can keep on rockin' as you get older!
Unless Im Lost Somewhere in Time (saw that tour at the Hammersmith) didnt he always play Jazzes???
The last time I saw Maiden in Cleveland, it was an outside show, it was hot, and the crowd was getting pretty obnoxious. One group, in particular, were getting a bit out of hand. Well, about 2/3 of the way through the show, Steve was out front, foot on the monitor, giving his energy out to the crowd, and this frackin' idiot throws a full cup of beer (and I am talking Big Gulp sized) at Steve, soaking him and his bass (I think it was the white one). I swear to God, I thought Steve was going to jump out into the crowd and rip the guy's throat out with his bare hands!He was as pissed as I have seen a man get, and Bruce had to physically restrain him. He kinda threw the bass down (and someone grabbed it before it hit, I think it was Bruce, again, who was really on top of things and trying to control the situation), and then charged towards the stage. After a bit, he stormed off, and I thought that this was the end of the show.
After some time of awkward silence - and near rioting in the crowd - Bruce suggests to the audience that 'the next time a guy brings his arm back with the intention of hurling a beer at the stage, you ought to make sure that he is not able to complete the motion.' The crowd goes nuts, and after some improve drum and guitar work, Steve comes back out. Still pissed. It probably took him a song and a half to get back into the groove, but once he did, he did so with even more vigor and gusto.
I am still disappointed and saddened that such idiotic behavior was exhibited at a show in my home state, but it certainly made for a memorable experience. Dickinson was amazing, and I'll never forget how well he handled that situation.
Tom.
Well man, that's ****ed up. I'd be feeling the exact same way if I was putting my blood into a show and I got that eh. Anyways, I saw maiden in Detroit for their A Matter of Life and Death Tour and they were great. Steve is a machine
You are VERY lost, he have always played the same 72 P bass as his main bass, with a little legion of 70's (and one 58) P basses as backup. There is some early maiden pic's of him with a Jazz bass (That might be from before they even where Iron Maiden). He have played some Lado basses for a short while, but it was always the 72 first.
Reminds me of the only time I've ever been embarrassed with my country.
I'm sure a few people on here know about the....political situation over here, well during the Dance of Death tour, (Dublin date), Maiden broke into The Trooper, we got the full stage show (with union jack flying) and quite a few of the more small minded members of the audience actually began to boo and throw abuse at Maiden for flying their flag (if you're not from here, you don't understand). I'm a very proud Irish Nationalist but what these people seemed to be ignoring was the fact that the Trooper was based on the Crimean war and had nothing to do with Ireland, yet these people who paid money to see the band decided that this flag was horribly offensive to them.
The next gig they played here, Bruce, very profesionally, told the crowd that they wouldn't be flying the union jack tonight and then proceeded to explain how it the song had nothing to do with politics over here and how they weren't a political band. He then said the next time they were over, they'd have the union jack out again and if people couldn't get it into their head that it wasn't anything to do with what was going on here, they shouldn't come.
Same gig, Steve's stage monitor blew and we were treated to an improv cheek slapping song from Bruce! (he played William Tell by slapping his cheeks, opening and closing his mouth to manipulate pitch.) Highly amusing!
I'm sure a few people on here know about the....political situation over here, well during the Dance of Death tour, (Dublin date), Maiden broke into The Trooper, we got the full stage show (with union jack flying) and quite a few of the more small minded members of the audience actually began to boo and throw abuse at Maiden for flying their flag (if you're not from here, you don't understand). I'm a very proud Irish Nationalist but what these people seemed to be ignoring was the fact that the Trooper was based on the Crimean war and had nothing to do with Ireland, yet these people who paid money to see the band decided that this flag was horribly offensive to them.
The next gig they played here, Bruce, very profesionally, told the crowd that they wouldn't be flying the union jack tonight and then proceeded to explain how it the song had nothing to do with politics over here and how they weren't a political band. He then said the next time they were over, they'd have the union jack out again and if people couldn't get it into their head that it wasn't anything to do with what was going on here, they shouldn't come.
Same gig, Steve's stage monitor blew and we were treated to an improv cheek slapping song from Bruce! (he played William Tell by slapping his cheeks, opening and closing his mouth to manipulate pitch.) Highly amusing!
+1 Like you said the galloping might not be complicated but I have yet to master it. My hand usually plays out. It's the stamina and the accuracy of Steve's notes that makes it impressive. Especially at the speed that most Maiden songs move along at.
Friday is here and I am still a bit on cloud 9 from the show.
Side note: Wednesday night I came home from work and a head cold hit me. The whole night I was kind of out of it. I went out to my truck for something at one point and forgot to lock my doors. First time ever basically. Came out in the morning and some street urchins/losers had decided to have a go at my interior. No damage but they did steal about 6 Maiden CDs. Although they left Live After Death on the seat;maybe they already had that one?
Didn't even take my digital camera. Just the Maiden CDs. I hate thieves but can appreciate their taste in music.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,942
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Aye, it was very professional. I wouldn't have thought less of them if they'd said, "**** those Irish, we won't play there again", but Bruce and the band dealt with it in a very dignified manner.
I saw Maiden for the first time at Madison Square Garden on Sunday and the show was great, and the sound was awful. I went to a show there on Thursday (withholding name to prevent embarrassment) and the sound was awesome. Steve Harris still amazes me with the things he plays. After 20 years, I still can't play one section of Phantom of the Opera at tempo, without killing myself, and he tears it up.
One of my favorite songs to play!
Every time I have seen Maiden live, they were awesome. Every. Single. Time.
Up The Irons!
I saw Iron Maiden last night - June 9. In a word - spectacular! Yes I am a huge Maiden/Harris fan but last night's show blew me away. The show the band brings is huge and worth every cent of the ticket price. Steve Harris just owns the stage! The control and precision of his galloping style is a treat to watch. His sound was thunderous and came through exactly like the albums. The MTS Centre was sold out (12,500) so the atmosphere was also over the top. Truly a treat to watch and a great night!
I saw them with my son on the 14th , and they were phenominal. They are very bit as vital and hot as they were in the 80s. They haven't lost a step, just incedible. Harris, as always, was awesome. Being in the 4th row was awesome. Up the Irons !!!!
I saw Maiden on Friday in Massachusetts. That was the best concert I've ever been to - period. Harris was unbelievable as usual, but altogether Maiden was soooooo god. The stage, the sound, the set list - the best....and I've seen Metallica, AC/DC, Van Halen, GnR in the 80s. Maiden owns!!!!
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,942
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Have any of you checked out The Iron Maidens? They are seriously talented, and just really nail the tunes. I have a CD and DVD of theirs, but I would definitely like to see them live some time.
Tom.
Tom.
I've been a Maiden fan since 84 but had never seen them live until last week. A friend of mine and I drove up from NC to MD to see them at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia. Words can hardly describe what I consider to be the single greatest concert experience I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy. It was absolutely astounding.
Steve is one of the prime reasons I ever picked up a bass.
