Top 200 Albums of All Time: Iron Maiden

The Number of the Beast: Iron Maiden (1982)


Iron Maiden changed lead singers and course when Bruce Dickinson joined the band. The Number of the Beast marked Dickinson’s debut. He added a theatrical component missing with the band as well as a dynamic voice. Interestingly, while recording the album, the band reported several weird incidents including cold spots in the studio and lights turning off. In a bizarre coincidence, producer Martin Birch was involved in a car accident. The bill came to 666.66 pounds.

Key Tracks:

The Number of the Beast
Run to the Hills
Hallowed Be Thy Name

History Shorts: Alexander the Great's Death (323 B.C.)

Alexander the Great created the world’s largest empire to date. His hegemony began in Macedonia, extended through Greece, included Egypt, Persia, and expanded into India. (Map: http://www.newgenevacenter.org/02_The-West-to-1900/maps/MHH_323-BC_Alexander's-Empire.gif). Along the way, he transmitted Greek culture throughout his realm. The conquered peoples incorporated Greek culture into their societies creating a Hellenistic world. This is Alexander’s greatest and most lasting accomplishment. In 323 B.C., Alexander died without an heir. This fractured his kingdom in three essentially ending Macedonian domination of the Ancient world.

This is how Oliver Stone portrayed Alexander’s death:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpqTcBJOe-8

A music video about Alexander the Great using clips from Oliver Stone’s film and music from Iron Maiden.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnhG2Drm4_k

Rock and Roll Worthy Acts Part II

Hall & Oates

Pro: White guys that had soul, very successful duo, tons of hits, influential in hip hop

Con: Cheese factor, from the 80s, more influential outside rock, may be too poppy

Richie Havens

Pro: Woodstock, Intensity, great live act

Con: Not really a rock artist, known for his covers

Heart

Pro: First girl hard rock band, influential, Ann Wilson’s voice

Con: They’re girls

Iron Maiden

Pro: One of the most important metal bands, showed metal songs could mean something

Con: There is a thin line between cheese and cool; also as a metal band, they don’t get respect

Jan & Dean

Pro: Popular act with classic songs, they pre-dated the Beach Boys

Con: People confuse them with the Beach Boys

Waylon Jennings

Pro: Like Haggard and Cash, more Rock n Roll than most Rock n Rollers, Buddy Holly’s bass player, was rock n roll during 50s, originator of outlaw music

Con: Mostly country which overshadowed his rock

Jethro Tull

Pro: Unique as they come

Con: Jazz flute’s for sissy boys

Judas Priest

Pro: See Maiden, plus Rob Halford’s voice is the best, the band’s story is awesome

Con: See Maiden

Ben E. King

Pro: Percy Sledge is in

Con: Seen as one hit wonder

Carol King

Pro: Great songwriter, James Taylor is in

Con: Not true rock, but came out of that singer/songwriter tradition

KISS

Pro: Lots of hits, Unique persona, known for their live shows

Con: Don’t sing about anything important, reputation as weak musicians, cheese factor, too capitalist for some voters

Kraftwerk

Pro: Unique and influential

Con: German!

Kris Kristofferson

Pro: Great songwriter (Me and Bobby McGee and Sunday Morning Coming Down among others)

Con: Seen as country

The Marvelettes

Pro: Motown’s first successful girl group, “Please Mr. Postman”, 23 Hot 100 Singles (9 in the top 10)

Con: There is no con. The voters and/or selection board are dumb

MC5

Pro: Hugely influential, one of the first punk bands, incorporated many styles, representative of the counterculture

Con: See the Marvellettes, may be too raw