Steve Harris: Why I Decided to Play Bass

[@BOBOUDA]

"Steve Harris’s right hand, that’s the essence of heavy metal.” - Scott Ian

[@dodibenabba1378]

Funny because when Heavy Metal started his right hand would have been about 5. If you'd said that about Geezer Butler maybe....

[@bongisland2762]

@@jlapp As Steve Harris says IN THIS VIDEO... he couldn't get CLOSE to Chris Squire of YES. (Playing with a pick in METAL is smarter, b/c it PUNCHES thru, vs fingers.) CHRIS SQUIRE OF YES IS THE MOST IMPORTANT BASSIST IN THE HISTORY OF ROCK. He influenced EVERY great bassist you love, from Harris to Cliff to Claypool to Sheehan to ALL OF THEM. Listen to "Heart of The Sunrise" to start!!

[@bongisland2762]

@@jlapp TRANSLATION: "as a teen, when i LOST the guitar pick... i was FORCED to use my fingers all the time... so i stuck with it". (I love BOTH fingers and picks on bass guitars.EX: listen to Dave Ellefson's BASS on "Peace Sells".... then report back here.)

[@BodaciousWickerman]

@@dodibenabba1378 Essence not origin.

[@darknessviking]

nah, its his brain, he would write the same great music even if he didnt play it

[@trolllover1765]

Steve Harris is a living legend!

[@НиколайНиколов-ц8о]

I is right.

[@rodrigotkm8429]

A bit underrated (unfortunately) but he's an all-rounder legend. Person, composer, player, history, analogies and presence.

[@ExodusAttacKGR]

man i love that bastard xD 2:58

[@dimong7156]

He is the reason I play bass!

[@dawnm9462]

bass is the reason why i play bass

[@marcoferrao]

So do I bro.

[@audioartisan]

Same...

[@mikebadolato6572]

Me too!

[@ixa-3140]

Yo check out bootsy collins bro I recently got into the funk stuff its awesome

[@SomewhereInTheMaidenverse]

The man is a musical genius. The way he arranges songs is insane.

[@bongisland2762]

he got most of it from.... brit art-rock wizards YES, who were astonishing musicians and arrangers. Their best stuff is STILL bonkers years later!

[@bongisland2762]

@IPA SOLÉ i know your MOM is, but what am I? Deep Purple were literally MORE influential than Zep and Sabbath combined. EVERYONE --from Motorhead to Metallica, Yngwie to Steve Vai, Iron Maiden to Judas Priest, VAN HALEN to KISS.... ALL OF THEM said DP were their gods!

[@digitaljanus]

Bringing up film scores as an early influence on him makes so much sense.

[@dibbo9264]

100%

[@TheNewAeon2012]

There's nothing else like it in rock/metal history. His talent is godlike

[@szithaanu9934]

One of my goals in life is to buy Steve Harris a pint, shake his hand and say thanks.

[@mrpositronia]

I did that when I was 19 years old, at a pub in Tottenham. It was a week before the Maiden convention in London to promote the X-Factor album. I won't tell you that he watched me playing air-bass a-la-Steve, when Run to the Hills was on the PA, because that would be embarrassing. :S He remembered my name and said, 'see you next week'. That was the highlight of my life. :'D

[@GooseGumlizzard]

*fanks

[@mrpositronia]

@@GooseGumlizzard 'fanksalot', or 'cheers' will do :)

[@phillytheflyerable]

I'll join you

[@marcelboogaard5449]

Arachno Recordings I’ve done on a few occasions. He used to play football ⚽️ for a team he set up called Maidonians. I played against him on several occasions and after the game had a pint with him. Top down to earth bloke.

[@kababrutal]

Such a down to earth guy. Respect!

[@ricardojmestre]

True, no star bull at all

[@miro6719]

Steve is for me the living incarnation of integrity. And his faith in music is...incredible. 45 years to carry IM and still passionate. A lesson for anybody 👊 so much respect...

[@mattgrundy27]

This interview was waaaaay too short.

[@deathmetalantichrist1115]

I heard There's more coming

[@kultiras4978]

I READ theres more coming bro

[@jmaguilarr]

siii, muy corta

[@charliedapotato7221]

You’ve got an other thing coming!

[@rickleblanc8900]

@@kultiras4978 I'm not convinced there's more coming. Lol !

[@aeromedical6750]

How refreshing to just listen to a man with level of talent and accomplishment and not hear a single hint of conceited ness.

[@Pyewack3t]

The guy comes across as truly humble and honest and has never forgotten his roots.

[@bongisland2762]

it's even weirder that he cites ThinLizzy, UFO, Wishbone Ash, etc as INFLUENCES... b/c Iron Maiden is dramatically better and different than those bands, IMO.

[@jimmycampbell78]

I can hear the influences of all those bands on Iron Maiden. Maiden are certainly heavier. I am not sure they are better musically. Steve has also cited Genesis as an influence which might surprise you. Listen to a song of theirs called ‘The Musical Box’. Think about the dynamics of that and then listen to something by Maiden like “Remember Tomorrow”, “Strange World”, “Revelations” or “To Tame a Land”. You will start to hear it.

[@digitaljanus]

@@bongisland2762 Citing film scores as early influences though--that makes a whole lot of sense.

[@brandonharvey6995]

It was refreshing to hear him talk about trying to play along with some of the influencing music stating "it was all far beyond me at that point" helps to remind young musicians that might come across this that all these guitar/bass heros are not prodigies just born knowing how to play. It takes a long time to understand instruments.

[@StePat-gq1qe]

5 minutes?!?!? ... you’ve got more coming...right?

[@LoudwireMusic]

Yup!

[@StePat-gq1qe]

Awesome!

[@doric_historic]

Honest question, Honest reply.

[@martyschriver]

When the interview is shorter than his songs. Lol

[@captaindeadeye788]

@@LoudwireMusic the interview would be better with Graham, ngl.

[@gjgp89]

His smile with the interviewer mentions UFO, Thin Lizzy and Wishbone Ash: beautiful. I mean it. What an amazingly genuine and humble GENIUS! Steve's the real deal. 💪🏻

[@TheNewAeon2012]

I'm sure he knows he's the best. But his delivery is so humble and down to earth. He's such an authentic human being

[@hugh8861]

A few months ago, I heard a Steve Harris interview on youtube where he said that he doesn't consider himself to be a great bass player. Maybe he is just being humble, but the fact is he truly is a great bass player. If Billy Sheehan says so, then you know it's true. Steve Harris made some of the most impressive bass lines in the history of rock music. Listen to songs like Genghis Khan, Rime of the Ancient Mariner, To Tame A Land, The Duelists... I could go on and on. There were very few bass players that played the way he did back in the 1980s.

[@kalidesu]

Listening to Powerslave yesterday even today it sounds so fresh.

[@MichaelHolmgaard]

Agreed. I also love what he does on Powerslave!

[@Pyewack3t]

Rime Of..... is like sprinting a marathon. The guys strength and stamina is phenomenal.

[@madarhorsev]

Sheenan is not a bass player,he is a shit player.Bass is Bass,and Steve is a Bass player,one and only BASS GOD 🤘🤘🤘

[@JJ_5289]

@@Pyewack3tdefinitely! Ive always thought the most impressive part of his playing is to be able to keep up that speed for a whole concert, and he rarely makes mistakes. I can play maybe one or two maiden basslines until my hand starts cramping or I start losing the timing

[@martijndegroot1593]

Still the reason why i play bass!

[@Senastra1]

Same with me!

[@bloodjinn420]

Are yall ugly too?

[@Malda27_]

Bloodjinn Rowan go away unwanted content

[@zoeybear599]

Steve Harris is a Legend!🤘 Up The Irons!

[@srmonkeyflingonpoo2457]

up The Irons !!

[@ValleyofEndar]

Up the Irons!🤘

[@martinosborne2842]

Super west ham and up the irons!!!!!⚒⚒⚒⚒⚒⚒⚒

[@robertshanks3674]

such a humble man for being a living legend

[@jamescotner2459]

When I first saw Maiden, Steve just blew me away. Unforgettable show. Somewhere in Time tour.

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

Steve Harris is my all time favorite songwriter ever!!! He is a living Legend. The songs that this man has written are in my opinion LEGENDARY. Iron Maiden has been my all time favorite band for over thirty years, and my second favorite band of all time is still not as PHENOMENAL as Iron Maiden are. Iron Maiden has been Steve Harris's band since the beginning and he has always had amazing band members in the band. I have been to hundreds of concerts and Iron Maiden are easily the greatest live band I have ever seen, and they are still just as amazing playing live now as they have always been. UP THE IRONS!!!!!

[@DenverStarkey]

my first time seeing them live in person was on the x-factor tour when i was 16. the next i saw them time was on the ed hunter tour , after bruce came back in 1999 and i was 20. and i've seen them now about a dozen times or more since. and if they come to my area(s) and i got the money i'll still go see them again. the last time I saw them to date was in 2019 september the 22nd ON MY 40th B-day. my B-day was the day of the concert (it was on the legacy of the beast tour , at the woodlands outside Houston Texas ). you can find fairly decent phone recordings of that night on youtube (not mine though , was too far back to get good phone recordings)

[@DavidHerrera-gw5iv]

I really love this guy, how he speaks about himself without any ego despite all he has achieved and how huge he is in metal music, he is such a humble legend!!!

[@benjaminschwartz1242]

The most badass bass player ever

[@oliverleahy6348]

Na John Entwistle first then him I love them both tho

[@gl3605]

The first band he mentioned has the most badass bassist of all time. Geezer Butler.

[@benjaminschwartz1242]

@@gl3605 steve could easily play all of geezers lines. But theres no way in hell geezer could play all of steves lines. Steve does things on the bass that most other bass players in the world cant do....especially considering his 2 finger striking technique

[@gl3605]

@@benjaminschwartz1242 Please.

[@clifftheplanteddvd6330]

@@benjaminschwartz1242 both are great, why make comparisons

[@GrayWoIf]

Seeing old Steve boy this Sunday

[@Capitan_Chaos]

GrayWoIf I’ll be seeing him this Saturday!!!

[@michaskup7919]

The coolest part about Iron Maiden is that in the fan videos and interviews they seem like really, really nice guys.

[@LWilkz]

Steve Harris is untouchable. Legend.

[@romkathe-coolest-tvivov8035]

This interview is shorter than typical Maiden's song!!!

[@graemeparrington2841]

He envisioned the opening drum roll to "Where Eagles Dare" then relayed it to Nicko. Inspiring craftsmanship.

[@reclaimingminds2811]

I was introduced to Steve Harris and Iron Maiden recently, I am so happy to learn more about this band and a new genre for me. I was supposed to be in an Iron Maiden tribute band for a local show. Trying to play at 180bpm like Steve; couldn't do it and playing at half that speed isn't Steve's style! Still practicing, slowly improving. I will be ecstatic to achieve 160bpm. Great arrangements, writing and energy!

[@matercicero9148]

A great person and musician. I only want to say him: "Thank you for everything you've done, master!".

[@TheCrimsonIdol987]

My favorite metal and hard rock bass player ever. All of his stuff is exactly what the song needs.

[@toothnail605]

Saw Maiden many many times starting with Number of the Beast. Steve is just a joy to watch always 100% in and passion that has never stopped since he started. I mean what a work ethic and professional!

[@FrancescoPirrone]

"....that was it, it changed ME life completely....." and you changed mine, Steve. Thanks for your music and for being such an inspiration. 💪

[@Kaephus-kk6nz]

"Changed me life" thank you sir.

[@steveverboom]

He has always been my favorite bass player. It's awesome how he is still such a driving force for Iron Maiden.

[@andreiarruda6814]

I was 11 in Brazil. My cousin showed me a weird cover album, he told it was cool, a heavy song. He just put "The Clairvoyant". Two weeks later I applied to a bass guitar course and there I lasted for 4 years. I ain't no professional bass player, despite of playing sound and decently. Thank you, Steve Harris, for waking me up for music :)

[@arlos21]

...To me he is the best bass player on heavy metal genre ever not for virtuosity But for how creative he is.🖤 What a songwriter he is!!!

[@davidlomax4028]

I could listen to Steve talk all day... I'd love to have a pint with him!

[@mickycee64]

my favorite bass player of all time

[@NelsonMontana1234]

None of the pretentious nonsense of so many metal guys. Humble. Totally cool. Great musician.

[@jaycousland9835]

Maiden is my favorite music to play,both bass + guitar.Steve was my greatest influence,along with Rush.Wonderful to have such great mentors growing up!

[@eziuccio67]

Thank you Steve

[@philipmendisco6656]

Thank you Steve Harris. For everything

[@hristianahristova1646]

Mr. Steve Harris! Such a great personality, down to earth. How humble he is.

[@geraldfisher5683]

I meet Steve at the old Marquee in Wardour Street. Lovely guy. Got my leather jacket signed my him. Very down to earth. I still listen to Maiden every week. Up the Irons!

[@Zec3]

And he is the reason i play Bass! Steve Harris, a true fucking legend. Can't wait to see him and the lads this summer, Up The Irons!

[@jamesgeoghegan4082]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@fattahrio766]

He's freaking amazing bass player..and has good attitude too

[@mudgutzadventures436]

Steve Harris is THE reason I decided to play music

[@madarhorsev]

Me too bro🤘😁

[@yehohanan66]

Harris has been a huge influence for several bands. His playing styke and his bass' sound is uncaomparable.

[@Julian-AJCP]

This right hand with its alien precision and stamina makes it all possible... Without it there would be no Iron Maiden.

[@MrBTBusch]

.

[@mirak63]

both hands actually

[@anthonytobio1795]

Your the Beast Steve Harris!! There's no better and than Maiden!!!!

[@ankushshetty]

This man is the sole reason why I got into metal. Life changed completely after that

[@SonnyGTA]

I love this bloke!

[@PetarBladeStrok]

I love that he mentioned Yes. :D

[@djohanson99]

He so low key. But take a moment to think of a world without him. Shudder to think. Big Maiden fan. I'm a slave to the power of death. Power Slave their best album.

[@hsvalleshanghai]

When the life giver dies all around is laid waste

[@dante666jt]

Aah the og google logo

[@Rodrigo.1989]

After all this years. I only can say, thank you Steve! thank you so much. I'm a huge fan of him. ¡¡Up the Irons!! From Argentina!!

[@joellajuett1060]

I've been following/ emulating Steve sense the mid 80's.

[@societydwellingifd766]

*_Kinda weird when he said he liked a theme from Exodus when he was 5 and there's an Exodus and Suicidal flyer on the wall in the back ._* *_I know he wasn't talking about the band Exodus BTW._*

[@Ivo.andretto]

He prob meant the movie, but nice spotting!

[@RobertoReyesChHC]

@@Ivo.andretto he literally said "I know he's not talking about the band btw"... anyway what a weird coincidence probably slipped in subconsciously but still weirdly relevant considering he was influenced by the theme from Exodus and not the band themselves haha

[@Ivo.andretto]

@@RobertoReyesChHC And in a weirder coincidence, we can establish tha Exodus, the band, was somewhat influenced by Iron Maiden, who themselves were influenced by Exodus, the movie, and everything comes in full circle.

[@BW-dv5cd]

I saw that exodus/ suicidal show at the spectrum in Montreal in 91 it was nuts, the place went crazy

[@christophermerlot3366]

I saw that Exodus/Suicidal tour in Toronto at the Masonic Temple (aka the Concert Hall) Body Count and DRI were the opening acts. A night of wonderful brutality.

[@simonnomis5302]

Steve was and is my main inspiration..30 years i play bass..and yes finger style is more easy and natural than the pick.

Thanks Steve 🤩

[@pscully1969]

Steve Freakin' Harris, a Metal Legend!! I think the fact that many of Maiden's songs were written on bass gives the that distinct sound, still having great melodic elements but also that underlying driving force. Iron Maiden will always be my go-to for classic Metal!

[@LightingRevenant]

Love him, one of the best indeed. I love the "blood on the world's hands" intro, it marked my childhood, this is when I started to listen to Maiden and was discovering metal.

[@hsvalleshanghai]

Well spotted. Very underrated song. X Factor has its moments. Sign of the Cross with Bruce live is absolutely total fucking poetry.

[@metaldams78]

One of my heroes! Great interview, loved hearing about his start on the instrument and the Gibson Thunderbird story was interesting. I had a similar experience with Rickenbackers. So many players I like play it, yet it felt wrong when I tried.

[@serbianhammer]

It's so cool how Steve Harris had that eureka moment, and now Iron Maiden's music is that inspiration to so many other musicians.

[@ImMagnetz]

Gotta love Steve!

[@JoshuaLTRyan]

Steve Harris is why so many of us love bass, myself included.

[@allencolvin4320]

Living legend

[@edgirard8472]

This man was and still is a huge influence on my bass playing. Thank you for the inspiration Steve! RESPECT!!!

[@jamiehammond7401]

Wow amazing little talk cheers.

[@stevencrellin9842]

We love Steve! Up the fookin irons!

[@stagger5863]

Steve Harris a living legend

[@Borna909]

He is the reason why I avoided to play bass with a plectrum. As a beginner you think its impossible to play fast and hard (whatever that means, but... y´ know...) with fingers until you hear a Maiden song and find out, that Steve is doing exactly that. And I play with my fingers until this day.

[@lordoftheelements2112]

Steve Harris is a living legend! But he‘s humble and kind, and he‘s the reason I play bass!

[@therealeikichionizuka]

Steve Harris is the reason I started playing bass. He's influenced my playing style, improv skills (although those are mostly from Geezer Butler) and got me into metal ever since I heard The Trooper in 2nd grade.

[@markusorth5450]

One of the best. Stay healthy Steve!

[@jonrarmey1220]

Steve, you were one of my biggest influences to play bass... Thank you sir, it’s been an awesome journey... CHEERS! 🍻🍻🍻

[@fredkruse1748]

Your new album will be the first album I bought in 10 years I love y'all Kings Sultans of heavy metal long live the Kings

[@KyokenX20]

Got my bass guitar signed by this legend!!

[@eshannon4062]

Very nice! Hopefully you put another coat of poly over it!

[@briancarr4607]

NICE ONE

[@AaronScutt]

He's such a great bassist, you can tell it's him right away.

[@MrKe4bss]

I LOVE Steve Harris ❤. Bless you

[@ArpeggioPegasus]

Been playing the guitar for more than ten years. Switched to a bass. Been a while since I've had that much fun playing music ! Harris rocks ! 🤘

[@rustytaylor7887]

Really nice guy. Brilliant bass guitarist

[@aimsong3028]

How can someone so GREAT be so humble......?

[@ckdpraha]

Heres’ a guy I could listen to for hours and hours

[@derekthomas4435]

Steve Harris is Certainly One of the All Time Greatest Bassmen and Showmen ... His undeniable intensity and Stage Presence ... Paved the Way for , so many other Musicians of this Mode ... To Jump into the Forefront and Defined the ...Hi , I'm in your Face , with it ... Like it or Not ... They Loved IT !

[@francorafaelgrande]

the best heavy metal composer from all times

[@DAN-C]

Steve the reason I started playing bass

[@vacantplanet]

Easily withing the top ten most important people in heavy rock/metal

[@putridabomination]

New album!!! UP THE IRONS!!!!!! British Lion \m/

[@davemccausland5039]

WOW! That interviewer is really good. Some great, well posed questions. You can tell Steve is into it too.

[@CAVEMAN93able]

I played Killers. Totally hooked to play!

[@strangelee4400]

I'm glad he chose the bass. Most other bands hide the bass or lower it so much in production it becomes inaudible. Being the boss, Steve damn well made sure the bass could be heard on all the tracks! Now we can enjoy Maiden and Lion signature sounds...Steve's galloping bass.

[@kennethdodd5924]

"Legend" is bandied around far too much these days. But it's more than justified for this man.

[@nattyboyo2404]

One of the most influential musicians of all time. Iron Maiden are up there with the Stones, Beatles, Pistols etc... Instantly recognisable and an institution. I don't think they have the credit they deserve yet. Maybe they're still too relevant 😊

[@rodrigocampo9014]

Didn't knew that he wanted to play drums, now everything makes sense... UP THE IRONS 🤟🏾🇲🇽🤟🏾

[@ClaytonBigsbee]

The Coolest guy on the planet Mr Stephen Percy Harris

[@MUSICLIFE179]

The Killers (album) bassline is the best of all time, my fav album from them as well.

[@NeoArmstrongJetArmstrongCannon]

Killers got some killer (see what I did there?) Basslines.. Killers, Wrathchild, Murders in the Rue Morgue, Innocent Exile, Genghish Khan, 22 Acacia Avenue, Purgatory, hell all of them are awesome..

[@NeoArmstrongJetArmstrongCannon]

@NO BODY shit, you're right.. can't believe I got it wrong..

[@richardmetalfan94]

Iron Maiden Fact or Fiction???

[@Brooksie997]

RichardMetalFan YES

[@blahblahblah6668]

Fiction

[@Capitan_Chaos]

And it needs to be 1 hour long at least

[@miguelalmeida5806]

@@Capitan_Chaos Will never happen...they don't want to give it all way ...probably we'll never know all about Adrian and Bruce's departure, and other stories...

[@Surfer-iv4qs]

@@miguelalmeida5806 Money, money, money... 😉

[@marko5694]

Thank You for my happy childhood and all rest of my life till the end ...

[@Cgreen-ky7vi]

Yeah it is !! That’s all it takes sometimes real music!That moves &. mesmerized you and pullz you on in and your hooked!!

[@HeavyMetalGamer45]

I want to say thank you to Steve for forming the band I love so much Iron Maiden. UP THE IRONS!!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@Skbrvrisjsbdvetjtrbejudb]

Steve Harris is a God of heavy metal, up there together with Ozzy.

[@ronaldleebrogren1244]

One of the most amazing things ever for me was seeing them in concert ( Maiden ) in Bremen, Germany Dec 1990. I was in the army at the time and was front stage. I took my dog tags off and help them out for Steve. He took them with the neck of his bass and then put them on. He wore them during the whole show. At the end of the concert he came back and gave me my dog tags and his wrist band. - love ya Steve .. and thanks for music & memories