Eddie

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Eddie's origins trace back to a papier-mâché mask created by art student David Arthur Brown for the band's live backdrop. The earliest versions were papier-mâché, but these fragile, human-sized masks were replaced as Eddie grew into a larger-than-life character. Bassist Steve Harris explained that the name came from the original mask being called "The Head," which sounded like "Ead" in their London accent. Guitarist Dave Murray recalled an old joke about a baby born with only a head named "Eddie the 'Ead." After signing with EMI, manager Rod Smallwood commissioned artist Derek Riggs to create a figure that would stamp the band's image on album covers. Riggs adapted an idea for a punk record based on a Japanese soldier's skull, adding extra hair to suit Iron Maiden's style. This illustration became the first album cover, and Smallwood decided it had "great visual continuity" for all future artwork.

In Their Own Story

The evolution of Eddie began with a fish tank pump squirting fake blood from the mask's mouth onto drummer Doug Sampson during the song "Iron Maiden." Dave Beazley later constructed a larger fibreglass mask with flashing eyes and red smoke capabilities. The classic "walk-on" Eddie, created for The Beast on the Road tour, was inspired by a pantomime giant in Jack and the Beanstalk, standing about ten feet tall. As shows expanded, gigantic versions appeared at the back of the set, such as the 30-foot mummified version during the World Slavery Tour that shot sparks from its eyes. Eddie made his debut visual appearance on the "Running Free" single cover with his face shadowed to protect his identity. Since then, he has transformed into a mummified Egyptian god for Powerslave, a lobotomized mental patient for Piece of Mind, and a tree monster for Fear of the Dark. Controversy struck when the "Sanctuary" cover showed him standing over Margaret Thatcher's corpse, though Riggs claimed the ban story was fabricated for publicity.

Reader's Guide

To understand Eddie, note that he is not a static character but adapts to every album theme and tour. His first appearance was on the band's debut single "Running Free," where his face was covered by a shadow before the first full album release. He appears as a cyborg in Somewhere in Time and has been featured in video games like Ed Hunter (1999) and Legacy of the Beast (2016). In 2024, Dead by Daylight added multiple Legendary skins based on his incarnations from Powerslave, Stranger in a Strange Land, and Senjutsu. His artwork has sparked controversy, such as the Moral Majority labeling Iron Maiden Satanists over The Number of the Beast cover where he controls Satan like a marionette. During the Troubles, Eddie became an unofficial mascot for the Ulster Freedom Fighters via murals based on "The Trooper" sleeve. Recognized by Gibson.com in 2008 as the most recognizable metal icon, he won the Metal Hammer Golden Gods "Icon Award" that same year and appeared on Royal Mail commemorative stamps in 2023.

Did You Know?

• The name 'Eddie' originated from the original stage mask being called 'The Head,' which sounded like 'Ead' in the band's London accent.
• During early live shows, a fish tank pump was used to squirt fake blood out of Eddie's mouth onto drummer Clive Burr.
• The classic 10-foot tall 'walk-on' Eddie was first used on the 'Somewhere on Tour' tour in 1986, created by Dave Beazley after seeing a pantomime version of Jack and the Beanstalk.
• In 2021, Dead by Daylight added multiple Legendary skins of Eddie based on The Number of the Beast, Powerslave, and Senjutsu covers.
• A drawing of Eddie biting off Ozzy Osbourne's head was withdrawn after receiving negative feedback from Osbourne's camp.