Ever wonder what secrets lie within the vaults of a rock legend? Steve Harris, the iconic bassist of Iron Maiden, recently gave us a peek behind the curtain, revealing his passion for preserving the band's history. In an interview with Neil Jones of TotalRock, Harris discussed the release of the book Iron Maiden: Infinite Dreams - The Official Visual History, a stunning visual journey celebrating the band's first 50 years.
Harris admitted that putting the book together was a unique challenge. He explained that, despite his forward-thinking nature, he was uniquely positioned to spearhead the project. "I was the only one who could really do it," he confessed, "because I was the one that had all the archive stuff." He playfully noted that his dedication to sobriety during the band's early days, unlike some of his bandmates and crew, allowed him to remember the details needed to compile the book.
But here's where it gets controversial... Harris's dedication to archiving isn't just a professional trait; it's a personal one. He confessed, "I've always been sort of a bit of a hoarder, I suppose, with stuff like that." This hoarding habit, he believes, has proven invaluable. He expressed a touch of wistfulness, wishing he had kept even more memorabilia, even his diaries.
Iron Maiden: Infinite Dreams promises to be a treasure trove for fans, featuring never-before-seen photos and artifacts meticulously curated over several years. The book will chronologically trace the band's journey, from their humble beginnings in 1975 to their groundbreaking albums like The Number Of The Beast and the stadium-filling Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son, all the way to their recent critically acclaimed double-album Senjutsu and the ongoing world tour.
The book delves into the evolution of Iron Maiden's iconic mascot, Eddie, with exclusive insights from his creator, Derek Riggs. It also showcases the band's spectacular stage productions, including the memorable Somewhere Back In Time world tour of 2008, where Bruce Dickinson piloted the band's Ed Force One 757.
Featuring album art, instrument photos, handwritten lyrics, and artifacts from the band's personal collections, the book is enriched with insights from key band members and management. With a foreword by Harris and an afterword by vocalist Bruce Dickinson, it's a must-have for any Maiden fan.
Tristan de Lancey, creative director at Thames & Hudson, describes Iron Maiden as "an institution", praising their fearless creative independence and dedication to their fans. He believes the book will set a new standard for music-related publications.
The book, curated by Ben Smallwood and co-edited by Alexander Milas and Terry Burrows, will be published globally in autumn 2025. Rights have already been sold in several countries, including France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Brazil, and Italy.
What do you think? Is it important for bands to preserve their history in this way? Do you find it fascinating to see the behind-the-scenes details of a band's journey? Share your thoughts in the comments!
