Iron Maden/Early 1977 Tapes

A super rare super early sound source collection will be released. “DEFINITIVE MUSIC MACHINE 1979” is, as the name suggests, the highest peak record of 1979, but the theme of this work goes back even further to 1977. It is a live performance and rehearsal from the time when Paul DiAnno had not yet participated and the phantom second generation singer: Dennis Wilcock (!) was singing. In the first place, IRON MAIDEN was formed on December 25, 1975 (some documents say May). At first, there was no Paul Di’Anno or Dave Murray, and various people were replaced, such as Paul Marino Day (first singer), Terry Lance, Dave Sullivan, etc. However, the oldest record of MAIDEN so far is “THE SOUNDHOUSE TAPES” recorded on December 31, 1978, which is already in the third generation Diano era. Such pre-Diano recordings have never been known. However, recently, recordings from BC have been unearthed. Although most of the songs are still fragmentary sample sound sources, it is now possible to hear IRON MAIDEN sung by the unknown second-generation singer: Dennis Wilcock. This work is a compilation of such BC recordings. They can be broadly divided into two categories, so let’s introduce each one. [First half of 1977: Live during the Murray & Bob Sawyer era] The first thing that appears is the live audience recording. You can listen to the full performance of “Prowler” and fragments of “Floating (Purgatory’s original song)” and “Charlotte The Harlot.” I thought it was a blessing to be able to listen to this extremely rare sound source, but the clear sound is actually far from that. It is probably a close feeling unique to the club, but it is much better than the hall recording after the major debut. It’s a sound that can be talked about for a long time, but the real awesomeness is inside. In the very early days, the timing of member changes is unclear, but the members at the time, as revealed by current inspection by enthusiasts, are as follows. ・Steve Harris (bass) ・Dennis Wilcock (vocals) ・Dave Murray & Bob Sawyer (guitar) ・Ron “Rebel” Matthews (drums) The lineup lasted for about six months, and the live recording of this work is said to have been in the first half of 1977. I was dazzled by the name of Ron Matthews, who was a founding member along with Harris, and I almost fainted at the original song “Floating”, which bears no resemblance to “Purgatory”, but what is still shocking is Wilcock’s vocals. It’s not as intense as Diano, nor as high-toned as Dickison. She is famous for her KISS-like make-up and performances in which she holds a sword in her mouth and spits blood (the artwork is also a photo), but her singing voice is a genuine British voice tinged with sadness. If I had to say, it sounds a bit like Phil Mogg, and I really like Steve Harris. “Prowler”, where you can thoroughly enjoy the singing voice, is the greatest treasure of this work. In fact, this is the only full performance of one song in 1977 that has been unearthed. It is a top take that allows you to thoroughly enjoy the Wilcock era MAIDEN for about 5 minutes. [Second half of 1977: Rehearsal with official keyboardist added] After that, all members except Harris and Wilcock were replaced. Below is the lineup that lasted from August 1977 to February 1978.・Steve Harris (bass) ・Dennis Wilcock (vocals) ・Terry Woplum (guitar) ・Tony Moore (keyboards) ・Barry “Thunderstick” Perkins (drums) After the departure of future ally Murray, SAMSON Thunderstick, the famous masked drummer, participated. Furthermore, IRON MAIDEN was born, not even with twin guitars, but with a guitar and keyboard system that is rare in the world. What was discovered with this lineup was a rehearsal, not a live performance. It is said to have been recorded by Thunderstick, and you can listen to 6 songs with the best sound just like a soundboard, although each fragment is less than 1 minute long. Although each song is only a few dozen seconds long, the content is incredibly rich. “Sanctuary” and “Wrathchild” have strange electronic-like phrases, “Another Life” has a piano that sounds a bit like FACES, “Strange World” and “Charlotte The Harlot” where Wilcock’s wet voice shines, the completed version. “Iron Maiden” has a slightly different riff that makes you smile… In the case of rock, there are many cases where you can’t tell the difference even if you listen carefully to the phantom members, but with this work, you can tell at first listen. Although it is primitive, it is full of fun because it was in the very early days when they were experimenting with various keyboards and arrangements (according to one theory, Thunderstick owns the complete recording of this rehearsal…but please make it public) I want it!) Treasures that have appeared after 40 years of time and space. The songs other than “Prowler” are just fragments, and the total is about 11 minutes. However, its fun is unique. The singing voice of Dennis Wilcock, the beats of founding member Ron Matthews, the ensemble including a keyboardist, the arrangements rich in pre-metal rock… The music that until now had only been imagined through word of mouth and family trees can finally be experienced in the form of “sound.” A piece that significantly updated the oldest record of IRON MAIDEN. 1977 TAPES: THE DENNIS WILCOCK DAYS 1. Prowler (Live at Bridgehouse) 2. Floating (Purgatory) (Live at The Harrow) 3. Charlotte The Harlot (Live at The Harrow) 4. Dennis Willcock MC 5. Sanctuary (Rehearsal) 6 . Another Life (Rehearsal) 7. Strange World (Rehearsal) 8. Charlotte The Harlot (Rehearsal) 9. Wrathchild (Rehearsal) 10. Iron Maiden (Rehearsal) Dennis Wilcock – Vocals Steve Harris – Bass Bob Sawyer – Guitar (Track 1- 3) Dave Murray – Guitar (Track 1-3) Terry Wapram – Guitar (Track 5-10) Tony Moore – Keyboards (Track 5-10) Ron “rebel” Mathews – Drums (Track 1-3) Barry “Thunderstick” Purkis – Drums (Track 5-10)