Iron Maiden: Dennis Stratton's Role On The Album That Changed Heavy Metal

Taking a look at some of my favourite licks played by Dennis Stratton on Iron Maiden's self-titled debut album.
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Guitar: Gibson Les Paul Standard '50s Gold Top
Plugin: Neural DSP Archetype: Petrucci
DAW: Reaper Audio
Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
Strings: Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 10-46
Picks: Jazz III XL

[@robertward5047]

I'm pretty sure if you reached out you could get Dennis on the channel.

[@azzajames7661]

I, for one, would love that👏

[@eszterszabo5103]

​@@azzajames7661I second that. ☝🤘

[@AndriiVozniak]

I think Dennis Stratton and Paul di Anno are significant figures in establishing Iron Maiden and bringing it up to speed. They don't get the credits they deserve, same for Blaze Bayley

[@JD-vj4go]

Dennis Stratton and Adrian Smith both are able to take standard blues rock licks and play them in such a way that you don't always notice it's a blues luck till you figure it out.

[@monkeyon777]

Strange World solo is just beautiful.

[@sydneyhalliwell2513]

Dennis Stratton really deserved a second album with Maiden. He’s a great guitarist who has a uncanny sense of melodic leads. Something Dave Murray had….in his first Powerslave solo, 22 Acacia Avenue solo etc. Adrian Smith’s musical place is in Maiden but thank you for giving props to Dennis Stratton’s amazing playing

[@emankcin1701]

Yeah, I wish he was given atleast one more year in the band.

[@VinylspinnerUK]

Den is a super nice bloke who still has time for his fans. He is still playing several times a week in small pubs in SE England in either his old band Remus down boulevard or in Dan and Dave. He now plays a custom McPherson

[@GravityShield]

That Strange World solo is something else. One of the best Maiden solos of all time, I get goosebumps every time I hear it.

[@AD-mo8yg]

There are at least two versions of it😊

[@Sebastian_Mroczek]

Omg I also thought that solo was Dave's🙉! I also agree that they were a good team with Dave and sometimes I forget Adrian wasn't on that album😂

[@cr1s1s0ff41th]

i did forget that too at the start haha, but thanks to the vinyl back sticking out of my collection dennis' name is always in my view now (:

[@1988Pajarito]

Well deserved for Dennis! i just listened to him live in Bergamo ( Italy) and he is such a great and Gentle guy

[@eszterszabo5103]

So nice of you to give love and props to ALL the members, past and present and to share your vast knowledge with us. You really are our Iron Maiden sensei. Gentle bow to you good sir. 🙇‍♀️ Thank you for the great work on both channels. 👏👏🙏🙏🤘

[@biorythmicshifter]

Wow, I didn’t realize that solo in Strange World was Dennis. That is a gorgeous solo, one of my all time favorite Maiden solos along with 22 Acacia Ave, Powerslave and Sea of Madness among others…

[@michaeldean7220]

Nice to give Dennis his dues. That strange world solo is gorgeous

[@Thirteen31Music]

I've always really liked his solo on Phantom Of The Opera, well thought out, melodic and different to Dave's.

[@cr1s1s0ff41th]

strange world truly is a song that stands on it's own in the maiden catalogue. it sounds to me the way it would sound if maiden had tried to implement the somewhere in time/seventh son sound from the get go. amazing composition, dreamy lyrics and this absolutely awe inspiring solo

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

It really is a unique piece of music. 😊

[@Gert-JanRoemen]

Thank you that Dennis also receives this deserved attention! Dennis is a super nice, modest and approachable guy. He has already played with our Dutch Maiden tribute "Harris" several times. As a special guest he played 6 songs from the first album with us each time. Always a great honor to do!

[@mizwitaz1503]

Dennis is a beast, I had the pleasure to meet him last year. Really great guy!

[@carzz185]

glad to see you giving some love to Dennis... he's always overloooked because of just being in one album... i love his solos in phantom and in transylvania. i guess we all were fooled it was Dave in strange world lol... that song and prodigal son have amazing solos by Dave, Dennis and Adrian!!!

[@azzajames7661]

When I was young I got the 1996 Best Of The Beast (single cd) with like 16 song on it which I really enjoyed. But it wasn't until I got Iron Maiden/Iron Maiden and heard the Phantom Of The Opera which made me fall in love with Iron Maiden completely. That was my rabbit hole moment and ever since then I've been an absolute Maiden fan🤘

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

That was the first song I ever heard from them... Only I didn't know what it was at the time 😅

[@azzajames7661]

@LicksOfTheBeast I know what you mean, Bro👍 That song blew my mind with all the changes, the melodic guitar, and that brilliant, slightly crazy basslines and thunderous drums👏 It is a masterpiece and everytime I hear it, it takes me back to my youth and I love it all over again😜 Love your channel and content, Brother, so keep it up👏 Up the mighty Irons🤘🤘

[@dmitriciccarelli4082]

Dave and adrian's playing styles are like bread and butter.

[@fearedlegend]

Good lord that piece you played near the end was just out of this world. It actually made my eyes water. Been listening to this band since 1984. The sheer amount of quality material they have is unrivalled by any rock or metal band in my view . Everything about this band is exceptional. No selling out to flavour of the month , no scandals, no attitudes or arrogance . Just elite musicians and by all accounts real nice people too

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thank you so much! Reading this makes me feel like perhaps I did the original work justice, which is all I was hoping for. 🙏 It's definitely a wonderful solo in every respect!

[@dizziebonkers326]

Idk if you know but Dennis Stratton and Paul Dianno played Killer songs on a live album with Praying Mantis. Its really interesting hearing Dennis play those songs.

[@JamieSunderland-g9z]

He played my local football club in the uk great to see him live

[@christschinwon]

So glad you love his Strange World solo. For me the solo of the whole album and I'm the biggest Dave Murray fan that I was at first gutted when I leaned it was Dennis and not him! Such a defining tone for that era. It's just perfect. Bravo Mr Stratton!

[@alexandrefigueiredo7541]

Dennis will play in my home city (Floripa - Brazil), this weekend! yesss!!

[@charlesfarrugia7898]

Awesome like always

[@thefonzkiss]

Check out his two Iron Men albums with Dianno in the mid 90s if you want an odd listen.

[@charlesfarrugia7898]

Killers is a classic

[@thefonzkiss]

@@charlesfarrugia7898 not sure how that’s relevant to the comment ..

[@spicykimchi1]

He might be talking about Paul Dianno's band Killers. That _Murder One_ album is amazing!@@thefonzkiss

[@Moon-mc6mm]

Saw him walk past me in Belfast 2022 outside a bar pre gig. Was over 4 Maiden gig. Didn't want to disturb him.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Ah that's too bad...I hear he's a great dude and I'm sure he would have appreciated the recognition. 😊

[@thebluep0tat0]

I have recently been on a Dennis Stratton appreciation mode and been watching a ton of his interviews on the NWOBHM and his background. Super timely!

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Don't you love it when that happens? I had that this past summer with David Lynch movies and Twin Peaks. It was a 2-3 week period where things just kept coming up... Weirdly cool!

[@thebluep0tat0]

@@LicksOfTheBeast holy cow…same thing…I just read an interview on him and here you are mentioning him. That’s weird. Would love for you to maybe have Den on one day just to talk to him and have him share with you and the audience a few riffs.

[@darrenc8776]

Dennis used to play a few gigs with Iron on maiden tribute act, they were very good,

[@ghastlynavigator]

Wow...Nico you just killed that Strange World solo...absolutely perfect! Dennis will always be an essential part of Maiden. UP THE IRONS 🤘

[@alexandremonfroy9014]

I absolutly love 'licks of the beast' Thanks for making it man.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thank you for watching and for your support!!

[@shad7832]

Every Maiden guitarist matters

[@deimos_doc]

Bravo! it's a fitting tribute to a guitarist who was very important to what Maiden became...

[@noggintube]

I disagree, Adrian and Bruce was key to what Maiden became. Adrian brought a huge amount of their sound going forward. I'm not knocking Dennis, please don't get me wrong, but I don't feel his contribution went any further than that first album.

[@BanjoSick]

not

[@gabor222]

@@noggintube The raw power and uniqueness of Di'Anno's voice made Maiden stand out from the crowd and brought success for the first two albums while Bruce was not able bring the same success to Samson at the same time.

[@noggintube]

@@gabor222 Di'Anno had a good presence that gave them a start but Bruce took them to stadium level. Don't get me wrong I love the first to albums, but there's no denying Adrian and Bruce joining really propelled them. Adrian as a joint song writer and Bruce as a front man able to bring the theatre that maiden is famous for.

[@oxkrhd498]

​@@gabor222 I think this was on that way because Samson music was perhaps more suitable for Paul than It was for Bruce. Evolution of Maiden sound like Steve Harris wanted years before was (for me) the authentic reason for Bruce's arrival. Anyway, Paul was awesome on the first two albums, specially on Killers

[@IronDemon89]

I love playing Dennis' solo in Phantom. Although, i end it slightly differently. If i ever get around to doing a phantom cover, you'll see what i mean.🤘🤘🤘

[@mjs440]

I was thinking about Dennis the other day and how later Iron Maiden albums would have sounded if he had stayed in the band (and whether IM would be as successful)

[@mvenuti1980]

Now for some one to give Clive Burr his dues!

[@davidebasile9422]

in the Spaceward Studio Demo (Soundhouse tapes) the first solo of Strange World is played by Dave Murray, whilst the second is played by Paul Sears.

[@gabor222]

After listening to a few Praying Mantis songs and getting a bit familiar with his style, I was surprised to see that he is not credited as a composer on the first Maiden record. I thought that his playing style had quite a big impact on that record.

[@nicolassimard2552]

Forever in time! A great underated album.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Credits are typically only given for contributing to actual words, melodies and music (meaning actual chord progressions and anything without which the song couldn't be the song) so in that sense, it's normal je doesn't get songwriting credits. But I'm pretty sure he contributed to the music somehow...

[@transcendentalarts5942]

Just like you Nico long time ago I thought it was Dave's solo. And also that song and the song changed my life.

[@carlopascali6414]

Saw him live in Italy a month ago. Really an amazing show, great feeling and wonderful notes!❤

[@firestorm755]

Fantastic vid! Thank you

[@maideneagle79]

Alternate Maiden line up Dennis Stratton - Adrian Smith Clive Bur, Paul Day and of course Steve Harris

[@christschinwon]

That is definitely a strange world!

[@PolarisCastillo]

Amazing video on Dennis! It made me think, it would be great if you made a video on Derek Riggs, the legendary artist behind the band's most popular covers and perhaps a huge reason for the band's popularity. I just got to meet him yesterday at L.A. Comic Con and it always makes me sad to think they didn't end on good terms nor keep in contact. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Derek, his work and what you think of his thoughts on the way Maiden/management handled their final collaborations together.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked this one 🙂 I wouldn't mind taking about Derek Riggs' work - the Maiden covers he did are absolutely legendary and they're a very important part of the band's history! I can't offer any constructive insights regarding the relationship between him and the band and how things were handled because I wasn't around for any of it and I don't have any kind of relationship with any of the people involved. I've never met Derek or Rod/Andy even briefly so I have no idea what they're actually like. My best guess, based on my life experience, is that both sides likely think they were right and that the other was being unfair or unreasonable...and I'm sure they're both right from their respective standpoints. 🤷

[@sea_of_madness667]

Excellent, love that Strange World solo, Dennis is a very outstanding guitar player and has some great solos, thanks Nico, good video.

[@jayapps72]

Literally was researching him last night. What a coincidence

[@getchapull4370]

I respect the contribution Dennis made to the first album, it's a fantastic record & he deserves his place in Maiden's history for sure, but my favourite player in Iron Maiden has always been Smith, his tone, style & execution is right on the money for me, he's the inspiration for me seeking guitar lessons back in the early 90s, I even found it hard listening to Maiden after he left, I mean his solo on Writing On The Wall just shows you the guy still has loads left in the tank, Adrian is 10/10 for me, it's about feel not 100 technical notes per second ! Much respect to Dennis I'd buy him a pint if I saw him in a pub. Cheers...

[@roaming740]

I heard he used to bully Dave Murray and argue with Steve and Rod, which was why he got the boot... either way musically he was good

[@Coopresla]

This Video helps a lot to finish my own Song. Thank you so much!!!❤

[@kevinwhite6346]

Dennis Stratton

[@CC-qb9sm]

100% on the Strange World solo being perfect!! 👍👍👍🤘🤘🤘

[@shubhampoudel2011]

Even I felt like same thought it was Dave but later I know it was Dennis. Whatever it is, more Smoothy and melody 🎵 I like intro much. Great man 🙏.

[@hansspadvii]

I love his work and great playing again by you.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

1000 thanks!!

[@sylwester7]

There's another reason the guy is cool - he sometimes plays Caparison guitars! :)

[@cbr9914]

dennis was the best singer on that first album. his vocal harmonies, while a bit sweet, were perfect on that record. some great hooks in his solos, as well.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Great point! The phantom harmonies are phenomenal 🤘

[@strangetone383]

Can you consider doing a guitar tutorial-analysis on 22 Acacia Avenue? the parts Adrian plays, not just the solo, they are tricky and beautiful like sea of madness. Do this video man, only you can give this song proper justice

[@repsid]

Nice video, really nice to see Dennis getting some attention!!! I saw him in concert once, he gave me his pick!! Always loved yhst Strange World solo, one of the most beautiful guitar solos ever in my humble opinion.

[@eduardomiguez5655]

Hi Nico. I always had difficulty knowing who soloed on the debut album. Stratton's playing style has always been very similar to Dave's. Adrian Smith's arrival was fundamental, precisely because his style was different from Dave Murray's. This made Maiden's sound much richer. What is your opinion?

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I touch on this a bit early on in the video... I think Dennis and Dave had some similarities but also enough differences to make them sound like a real guitar team. But yes, I think Adrian's arrival did enhance the band's sound, not just because of their differences in sound and touch, but also because of how they are able to paraphrase each other's lines sometimes to give a sense of continuity to an instrumental section. This is something that Dave and Adrian only have with one another.. Adrian has played with monsters like Roy Z and Kotzen and it's still not even close!

[@maiden4greece572]

Nice...

[@davel7791]

I saw an interview with Paul Di'Anno from the early 2000s, I think, where he said that Dennis was not right for Iron Maiden, that he wasn't a metal guitarist and didn't have the chops. Paul said Dennis wanted to do pop songs with big vocal harmonies. Obviously Adrian was an upgrade, but Dennis still has his place in Maiden lore.

[@TheDrogich]

That first part of the lick from Transylvania sounds a lot like Gary Moore lick in solo from Waiting for na alibi 😊

[@lepeoci11]

You have picture of Janick Gers playing les paul. This must be sci-fi art :D

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

It's definitely a rare occasion, but not sci-fi. 😊 He played an Epiphone Les Paul on If Eternity Should Fail every night of the Book Of Souls tour.

[@deepakk7]

Wow. I always thought that this was Dave's solo too.

[@rd9219]

Dennis was far more consequential on that album than I ever realized. I prefer Dennis and Dave

[@davidchelazzi8773]

I always thought that solo was Dave's!!!!

[@gdr1174]

Any plans to dive into Afterglow of Ranganrok?

[@kntzounis]

😇😇😇

[@tobyalder42]

How do you learn who plays each solo? Is this information wtitten somewhere?

[@roaming740]

Google, but he says he learned from pattern recognition from just listening

[@bghammock]

Every time I like Stratton and enjoy what he did on the first album, I feel guilty because if he stuck around, we wouldn't have the awesomeness that is Adrian. Ya, I'm weird.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

it's not that weird actually... Thoughts like that are pretty normal for the more hardcore Maiden fans 😅

[@bghammock]

@@LicksOfTheBeast 😁

[@linusfotograf]

Hot take: Dennis does a better job than Dave on the album. Many licks by Dave on the debut sound sloppy and/or like he didn't have time to improve on them.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I think it depends on which aspects of the playing you prioritize. Personally, I actually like some of the more wild aspects of Dave's playing. The ending of the Prowler solo where he is just about to go off the rails but then brings it right back is one of my favourite Dave moments! 😅

[@szabolcsnagy7638]

Dennis Stratton of Praying mantis. He left Maiden saying heavy metal will go nowhere.

[@why67152]

Great guitar players! With that said, Jeff Beck was ten times a guitar's guitar player than any of these guys! Used his own phrasing and unique scales! Sorry!!!

[@BruthaVIII]

And Stevie Ray Vaughn was ten times the guitar player that Jeff Beck was. What's your point?

[@iconcanada3660]

To each his own. I think maiden is #1. Jeff beck is boring

[@why67152]

@@iconcanada3660 Keep up with the drugs K!!

[@why67152]

@@BruthaVIII Dont be an idiot!! It was just a comment!!!

[@BruthaVIII]

@@why67152 Sorry -- I didn't mean to come off rudely.

[@enricoagnelli369]

First personal thumbdown on your Amazing Channel.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. 🤔 Is there something about this video that you feel isn't on par with the others?

[@Red-mp3to]

​@@LicksOfTheBeastI would love to know as well...

[@Gert-JanRoemen]

Thank you that Dennis also receives this deserved attention! Dennis is a super nice, modest and approachable guy. He has already played with our Dutch Maiden tribute "Harris" several times. As a special guest he played 6 songs from the first album with us each time. Always a great honor to do!

[@Gert-JanRoemen]

Thank you that Dennis also receives this deserved attention! Dennis is a super nice, modest and approachable guy. He has already played with our Dutch Maiden tribute "Harris" several times. As a special guest he played 6 songs from the first album with us each time. Always a great honor to do!

[@Gert-JanRoemen]

Thank you that Dennis also receives this deserved attention! Dennis is a super nice, modest and approachable guy. He has already played with our Dutch Maiden tribute "Harris" several times. As a special guest he played 6 songs from the first album with us each time. Always a great honor to do!