Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

One of the biggest and most influential bands, Iron Maiden came out of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. They brought twin lead guitar into a new level never seen before in metal with harmonizing melodies being one of the most distinctive parts of their sound. Formed by bassist and main song writer Steve Harris, he has been the only member since the very foundation but Dave Murray has been there since the first album. Original drummer Clive Burr was with Maiden for three albums before Nicko McBrain joining and being there since. Singers Paul Di’Anno and Blaze Bayley were both on two albums with the more well known Bruce Dickinson being on all other releases. Adrian Smith has been a long time member coming in on the second album but wasn’t present in the 90’s. Janick Gers came in as his replacement but upon Adrian’s return the band maintained a three guitar line up giving even more possibilities to the sound of the band. Any Keyboards on studio albums have been arranged by Steve except for Seventh Son which was shared with Adrian. (I think Bruce played on “Empire of the Clouds”) All members have contributed to writing over the years.

The band has what I classify as traditional metal. During the late 80’s and on the band noticeably added more of a progressive influence and that has continued. I most everything Seventh Son on as Progressive Traditional although some of that can be heard earlier on some songs.

B. B. King is one of the most influential blues guitarists. Janick and Dave are both fans.

Golden Earring although mostly known for songs like “Radar Love” and “Twilight Zone” that came later, they started in the early 60’s with their first album coming out the same year as the Rolling Stones’s first album. Rinus Gerritsen is one of Steve… — Golden Earring although mostly known for songs like “Radar Love” and “Twilight Zone” that came later, they started in the early 60’s with their first album coming out the same year as the Rolling Stones’s first album. Rinus Gerritsen is one of Steve’s influences.

One of the earliest bands to play hard rock, the Who have been a big influence on many bands. Steve named them as an influence. Nicko named Kieth Moon as a big influence. Adrian has named Who’s Next as a favorite album. — One of the earliest bands to play hard rock, the Who have been a big influence on many bands. Steve named them as an influence. Nicko named Kieth Moon as a big influence. Adrian has named *Who’s Next* as a favorite album.

The Moody Blues are progressive, psychedelic, and symphonic rock band. Steve said they were among the bands that blue him away from a collection of records he borrowed from a friend that got him into all the stuff he loves.

Jimi Hendrix one of the most influential guitar players ever for his flashy blues rock style. Hearing Hendrix on the radio is the reason Dave picked up guitar in the first place.

Pink Floyd are probably the most well known and biggest of the progressive rock bands. Steve named them as an influence. Janick is also a fan of David Gilmore.

Jethro Tull are a progressive rock band probably most remember for singer Ian Anderson and his flute playing. Steve named them as an influence. Bruce also named Ian Anderson as an influence, particularly with lyrics.

Deep Purple are a hugely influential band and unique for their classical influences. Steve named them as an influence and Dave named them as a favorite of his and Adrian is hugely influenced by Ritchie Blackmore and said Machine Head got him in to m… — Deep Purple are a hugely influential band and unique for their classical influences. Steve named them as an influence and Dave named them as a favorite of his and Adrian is hugely influenced by Ritchie Blackmore and said *Machine Head* got him in to music. Bruce named Ian Gillan as a hug influence. Nicko named Ian as a drum influence. Janick named them as one of his favorite bands.

Jeff Beck was one of the influential guitar players to come out of the Yardbirds. Janick named him as an influence.

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown came out of psychedelic rock. Arthur was known for his showmanship, he was maybe rocker to paint his face and had a burning flame on his head. Besides the showmanship his vocals were also stand out. Bruce named him… — The Crazy World of Arthur Brown came out of psychedelic rock. Arthur was known for his showmanship, he was maybe rocker to paint his face and had a burning flame on his head. Besides the showmanship his vocals were also stand out. Bruce named him as an influence.

Early on Fleetwood Mac was a blues based rock band. Dave called them one of his favorites in the early days. Adrian is also a fan, naming a greatest hits from them as a favorite.

Blues guitarist Johnny Winter was an influence on Adrian.

Yes was one of the big progressive rock bands of the 70’s. Steve named them as and Chris Squire as a big influence.

Genesis is one of the most well known of the progressive rock bands for their more popular stuff with Phil Collins. The Peter Gabriel years are often sited as influential to a lot of bands. Steven named early genesis as an influence and Foxtrot as o… — Genesis is one of the most well known of the progressive rock bands for their more popular stuff with Phil Collins. The Peter Gabriel years are often sited as influential to a lot of bands. Steven named early genesis as an influence and *Foxtrot* as one of his favorite albums.

King Crimson are an influential progressive rock band. Steve named them as an influence.

Hard Rock band, Free was another one of Steve’s influences. You would probably know some of their songs. Their singer would go on to be in Bad Company. Steve was inspired by Andy Fraser and Dave, Adrian, and Janick by Paul Kossoff.

Led Zeppelin are on of the biggest hard rock bands influencing many many many bands. Steve named them as an influence. Bruce named Robert Plant as an influence particularly on the early stuff. Bonham was a big influence on Nicko. Janick named them as a favorite band. Bruce named their second album as a favorite.

Humble Pie was a hard rock / blues rock band featuring most notably Peter Frampton. Adrian said they was an early influence.

Van Der Graff Generator is another progressive rock band, but this time not one of Steve’s influences. Bruce named their singer Peter Hammill as an influence.

The fathers of heavy metal, Black sabbath. Steve named them as an influence. Dave and Yanick said they were one of their favorites.

Wishbone ash are a blues/progressive rock band not as well known as many other but hugely influential and the sound of Iron Maiden. If you love Maiden harmonies as we all do, Wishbone ash is the band you have to thank for that. They and Martin Turne… — Wishbone ash are a blues/progressive rock band not as well known as many other but hugely influential and the sound of Iron Maiden. If you love Maiden harmonies as we all do, Wishbone ash is the band you have to thank for that. They and Martin Turner are a huge influence on Steve.

Emerson, Lake, and Palmer are another progressive rock band who Steve names as an influence.

Focus were Dutch prog rock band. Janick is a fan of their guitarist Jan Akkerman.

Hard rock band UFO is often sited by metal guitar players because of Michael Schenker’s guitar playing. Steve named Pete Way as one of his bass influences. Adrian named Michael Schenker as an influence. Paul was also a fan of UFO.

Like Iron Maiden is known for their harmonies, so is Thin Lizzy. Adrian named Gary Moor and all the the guitar players of Thin Lizzy as an influence.

Rory Gallagher was an influential blues rock player. Janick is a big fan.

Blue Oyster Cult are a hard rock / progressive rock band. Unlike a lot of Steve’s UK prog influences BOC are out of the US. Steve said he’s always loved them and use to cover one of their songs in his pre-maiden band.

When Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple he formed Rainbow with the legendary Ronnie James Dio. Bruce named him as one of his influences and idols.

Legendary Blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan has been very influential on many. Janick is a big fan.

Blues Rock Guitarist Pat Travers is an influence on Adrian. (On a side note, Nicko was the drummer on two Pat Travers albums)

Steve said he grew up be exposed to The Beatles, The Who, The Doors, and Simon and Garfunkel. After that he discovered all his progressive influences. Besides the noted above, Steve has also named favorite albums, Todd Rundgren’s A Wizard, a True Star, Necktar’s Recycled, Judas Priest’s Sad Wings of Destiny, Scorpion’s Lovedrive, and Beckett’s self titled. This appeared as a list in a Brazilin magazine with now context on the questiones that led to this list, there for I’m hesitant to add any of these to the influences above, how ever he also named albums from bands already noted as influences. Adrian and Steve both listed Van Halen II as in the same source.

Dave said he loves blues such as Albert King, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, and B.B. King.

Adrian is a huge fan of Eric Johnson and Joe Bonamassa. He said when he started he played The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and 12 bar blues because it was easier than stuff like “Highway Star”. At one time he named Pat Benatar’s album crimes of Passion as a favorite.

Although it is often stated by some that Iron Maiden had punk influences, this simply isn’t the case. Steve said they hated punks and punks couldn’t play their instruments. The only member to claim punk influences is Paul and his writing in the band was limited. Steve said that Paul wasn’t that punky when he joined Maiden and got more punk because it annoyed the rest of them. When Paul auditioned with Maiden along with a few Maiden songs they played covers from Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin.

Before Maiden, Paul said he listened to bands like The Small Faces and punk stuff like Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned, Ramones, and U.K. Subs. The only hard rock bands he said he liked was Thin LIzzy and UFO. He said after seeing Iron Maiden he started getting into metal. He said he through his old punk records away after joining Maiden.

In an 1990 interview with Steve when asked about newer bands he liked he said The Almighty and Queensryche whom he called masters of metal.

The late Clive Burr was the drummer on the first three albums and has one co-writing credit. He has influenced a ton of drummers but I haven’t been able to find his influences.

Nicko influences started with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Then it was Kieth Moon, Jon Bonham, and Ian Price.

Dennis Stratton played guitar on the first album but didn’t write anything with Maiden.

Blaze Bayley’s influences include Ronnie James Dio, Elvis, and Bruce Dickinson. He said Bon Scott was an influence because of they way he felt like Bon was telling a story.

If you are completely uninitiated to the greatness of Iron Maiden, check out…

TMU 101 - Iron Maiden

Bands influenced by Iron Maiden!

As this project advances, bands will be added here… there are many!

German Thrash and first wave black metal

FUCKIN’ SLAYER!!!!!

Heavy/Speed/Power metal legends from Germany

Often seen as the fathers of death metal

Classic Death Mteal

Taking black metal in a progressive direction.

Power/Heavy metal with virtuoso guitarist Gus G.

Metal-core with influences from all over

Newer generation of Swedish Metal

Modern aggressive thrashers.

Probably the biggest of the new wave thrashers

Sources:

https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/iron-maiden-bassist-talks-about-his-technique-and-influences/
https://loudwire.com/steve-harris-why-decided-play-bass-interview/
https://thequietus.com/articles/10360-iron-maiden-steve-harris-interview
https://www.revolvermag.com/music/iron-maidens-steve-harris-british-lion-songwriting-playing-smaller-venues-his-son
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/steve-harris-iron-maiden-good-live-band/
https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/steve_harris_names_1st_iron_maiden_riff_he_ever_wrote_lists_less-known_artists_that_inspired_him.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDc5Px5f0OE
https://www.ironmaiden-bg.com/web/index.php/npftd-others-en/743-steve-harris-1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ad3YTgiPXk&list=PL40506BECB1084B69&index=5
https://www.ironmaiden-bg.com/web/index.php/lad-others-en/1793-steve-harris-1985-may-interview-en
https://www.ironmaiden-bg.com/web/index.php/the-killers-interviews-and-articles/719-paul-dianno-15-2004
https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/interview-iron-maidens-adrian-smith-and-dave-murray-their-first-guitar-world-feature-1983
https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/23207-iron-maiden-out-of-thin-air
https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/steve-harris-and-dave-murray-iron-maiden-open-1988-guitar-world-interview
https://www.metalcastle.net/iron-maidens-adrian-smith-reveals-who-influenced-him/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmZSDaIqUCo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELfiAPpxOu8
http://dmme.net/interviews/dickinson.html
http://www.truemetal.org/unstoppableforce/interview20.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzuRUZJ5U6s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gboo56DQB08
https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/iron_maidens_janick_gers_were_not_gonna_be_a_parody_we_are_valid_now_and_what_we_play_now_is_valid.html
https://www.metalcastle.net/ex-iron-maiden-star-blaze-bayley-shares-the-artists-who-inspired-to-him/
https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-prog-interview-steve-harris
http://www.ironmaiden666.com.br/2011/02/os-cinco-discos-favoritos-de-bruce.html
http://www.ironmaiden666.com.br/2013/08/os-dez-discos-favoritos-de-adrian-smith.html
http://www.ironmaiden666.com.br/2013/08/os-dez-discos-favoritos-de-steve-harris.html
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gF6CiPu1-tA/Ug_f5t5fVXI/AAAAAAAAPUA/j6usvdsh7Z4/s1600/revista-metal-20-1985.jpg