As seemingly unstoppable UK national treasures Iron Maiden continue to go from strength to strength, so too do all-female US tribute The Iron Maidens, who are now set to embark upon their second tour of their namesake’s home country.
While the group ready their usual assortment of Maiden classics and deep cuts, we quizzed guitarists Courtney Cox and Nikki Stringfield - aka Adrian Smith and Davina Murray - on their favourite solos to play live.
As you might expect, there are a few underrated gems among their picks...
The Iron Maidens tour the UK in October:
Wed 25 - Cardiff The Globe
Thur 26 - Reading Sub 89
Fri 27 - Leamington Spa Assembly
Sat 28 - Sheffield Plug
Sun 29 - London O2 Islington Academy
1. Caught Somewhere In Time (Somewhere In Time, 1986)
Courtney Cox: “This whole era is really what lured me to Iron Maiden when I was a young teen. The first album that I latched on to was Dance Of Death, which was the new album out when I was in high school, and all my friends played the thing until the CD got jammed, haha (I missed the ’80s as I was born in ’89 - I obviously had some catching up to do).
“In my early days, I was head over heels into the thrash scene and was really into the speed, crust and thrash. That was/is the scene that had bands like Iron Maiden and other similar bands of that genre on the backburner on my Walkman (yes, a Walkman, haha). It wasn’t until I started stealing all of these older albums from my brother that I said, ‘Wait a minute, what is this!?’ My guitar playing has never been the same since.
“I remember that this solo immediately caught my ear when I first heard the record. Adrian’s phrasing and note choice is truly awe-inspiring. He takes a solo and plays it as if he were singing it. I’m sure he would see his playing as just an everyday thing - it is his sound - but to me, the listener, I am inspired by it every day.”
2. Flight Of Icarus (Piece Of Mind, 1983)
Nikki Stringfield: “Dave's solo in Flight of Icarus is another one of my favourites! I think it was also one of the first Maiden solos I ever learned.
“It's just really catchy and fun to play with all of his extremely fast legato. All around, it’s a very guitar driven song, especially with Dave's killer solo at the very end.”
3. Powerslave (Powerslave, 1984)
Courtney: “This is one of those epic tunes that the girls and I love having in the set. It has that dark Egyptian harmonic minor feel to it, which is heavy and dark to perform onstage. The solo doesn’t disappoint, either.
Just when you have had your fill of this one solo, there comes this other one from stage-left with a whole other twist!
“This one in particular has the usual two guitar solo trade-off, which really adds the energy and levels to the song. Just when you have had your fill of this one solo, there comes this other one from stage-left with a whole other twist!
“This made my list because of the first bend of the solo (3:55). The snare pop from Nikko that leads straight into the start of my solo gives me an indescribable high as a live performer. If I had to compare it to anything, I’d probably say it’s the feeling that makes you air guitar to a song, specifically a guitar solo at a show, in a car, or walking down the street, haha.
“Add those slight harmonics and killer bends to bring you to the end and there you have it... a truly great solo!”
Nikki: “Both of Dave Murray's solos in Powerslave have to be my favourite of his out of all Iron Maiden solos.
“The first is more bluesy and I love how this one is slower so you can really feel it. When his second solo kicks in it adds such a powerful dynamic to the song.”
4. Fear Of The Dark (Fear Of The Dark, 1992)
Nikki: “You definitely can't forget about Dave's solo in Fear Of The Dark! The song itself is a huge crowd favourite, so they go crazy when the solos kick in along with the harmonies that precede and follow them. It's a very showy, fast solo while still being tasteful!”
5. Still Life (Piece Of Mind, 1983)
Courtney: “A song that I’m happy to see on the setlist and one that pisses me off when I don’t see it on the setlist! From the tasty intro melody to that first C chord, which kicks the song into overdrive at 1:12, you know the solos are not going to disappoint on this track.
“They start off with this killer bridge that leads you into this dual-harmony section and then bam, there goes Adrian out of the gate with the first solo, which I believe off the top of my head is in D minor.
“For me, the bends on this song are what got this solo onto the list. From a simple slight bend in the beginning phrase (5b7 on the B string) to the pull-offs at 3:15, to the epic bends and slight taps that end the solo… it’s a true gem. I recommended that any guitarist learn it.”
6. Moonchild (Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son, 1988)
Nikki: “Dave Murray's solo in Moonchild is so fun to play! In the beginning, it's all tapping which is a bit different than most of his other solos, and I love that about it.”
7. Alexander The Great (Somewhere In Time, 1986)
Courtney: “Other than being a marathon at 13 minutes, this song is a masterpiece. Another historical play-by-play through killer riffs and as one could only imagine in an epic Maiden tune: killer solos.
“This solo is probably the only one that gives me butterflies live, and all over one section.... but we will get to that. First, we have to go over the crazy pre-solo section that forces you to have some kind of rhythm, because if you don’t, that train will be out of the gate and will leave you behind.
This is the only solo part where I zone out all other instruments on stage and really focus on the connection a musician has with their instrument
“This is the only melody or solo part where I zone out all other instruments on stage and really focus on the connection a musician has with their instrument. I don’t hear anything except the notes coming out of my guitar. It is definitely a Zen moment for me. I love odd time signatures for this reason.
“Then we come to the main solo for me, the one that gives me those butterflies. Butterflies over just one bend and tap in the beginning. It seems so simple, but man, if I miss that tap it infuriates me for the rest of the night, haha! Once I get passed that, it’s smooth sailing for me. It is another melodic solo that takes you on a story without words. It’s funny how such a small part of a solo can give a player much grief!”
Nikki: “Alexander The Great is full of amazing solos and harmonies. And the fact that Maiden doesn't play it live just makes it even more enjoyable for the audience. Dave's solo in particular is I think one of his most impressive, and it's also really fun to play!”
8. Sea Of Madness (Somewhere In Time, 1986)
Courtney: “This is my all-time favourite to play. The riff is heavy, the solo is great and I get to sing harmonies, woohoo! This solo has the same sound as the other solos I have listed, so I’m sure you can gather what my favourite playing style is by now.
I don’t have to be playing a mile a minute, making my hands do pointless stuff up and down the fretboard, or off the fretboard. I love solos that add substance and/or hold up a song
“I don’t have to be playing a mile a minute, making my hands do pointless stuff up and down the fretboard, or off the fretboard. I love solos that add substance and/or hold up a song. Solos that you hum to yourself throughout your days, weeks, months, even years. My philosophy with playing is that if you can sing it to yourself, you can play it.
“This is another great song, with a perfect harmony section, which breaks off into another Adrian solo that keeps me on my toes as well. Some of the phrasing can be a bit tricky if you don’t do your homework on this one, specifically at 2:44. A section where if a note is missed, it can be pretty much over for you. Game over, haha.
“Another cool part with this solo section is the breakdown after the first solo, which flows into this very beautiful bassline and guitar melody. It makes my hair stand up every time we play it!
“To finish the song, Adrian comes back with an outro solo filled with some well-placed bends and taps. This one forces me to tap dance with my pedalboard on stage, because I’m singing harmonies as this solo starts. Trying to turn on a boost pedal while having a mic shoved in your face can be a challenge!”
