Stephen Percy Steve Harris (born March 12, 1956) is an English musician and composer, known as the bassist, keyboardist, occasional vocalist and main composer of British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, which he founded as a teenager 1975 . It is the only member of Iron Maiden remained in the group from the beginning and with guitarist Dave Murray, appeared on all their albums. Although previously aspire to become professional football player, Harris continued to work as architectural drawings in the East End of London and continues to do so by Iron Maiden has signed a contract with EMI in 1979.
Harris originally wanted to play drums, but he did not have enough space for the battery in his house and decided instead of bass. Completely alone taught, his first bass was a copy of the Fender Precision Bass, it costs 40 pounds when he was 17.
Only 10 months after buying his first bass, Harris joined the group, originally known as the influence and later Gypsy Kiss, starring Bob Verscoyle (vocals), Dave Smith (guitar) and drummer Paul Sears . After a short number of concerts in the wagon and horses pub, Maryland Point, Stratford and Bridgehouse, Canning Town, the band split and Harris auditioned for a band called Smiler in February 1974. In this outfit, Harris began writing his own songs and worked with future members of Iron Maiden and Dennis Wilcock Doug Sampson, but left the band after refusing to play his material, claiming it is too complicated.
Leaving Smiler, Harris to create Iron Maiden Christmas in 1975, the group's name was inspired by the movie "The Man in the Iron Mask. From the beginning, Harris is the principal composer and lyricist. His writing songs is usually reserved to demonstrate its trademark galloping bass and vocals models influenced by progressive rock with several changes of time. Recently, Harris songs "have become more progressive and guitarist Adrian Smith said he now prefers Harris contributed music and lyrics and the organization of "other songs than writing alone. Harris often writes texts mythology, history and themes inspired by books and films, that Iron Maiden has become noticeable in opposite of most other rock bands, where the subjects are usually sex, drugs and rebellion.
Harris is often considered among the best bass players and most influential heavy metal. He is best known for "galloping style: simple eighth note followed by two eighth notes at a faster rate (eg," The Trooper "and" Run to the Hills ") or triplet, where he played with two fingers of using a pick. Before playing, Harris often chalks his fingers to make the models easier to play fast, as shown in the bonus DVD of A Matter of Life and Death album. Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers said, "Steve taught him no one can really copy it. People say, but a lead guitar, but not E. This gives the group's core and moves a lot, but the tone he did. Steve has a way of hear things and tone that is not usually associated with the bass more like a rhythm guitar. "
He played mostly bass guitar painted special feature on each album of Iron Maiden, who has suffered four color changes as it began to use it. Originally white, it was changed to black, followed by a blue glow, and finally white with burgundy and blue pinstriping and West Ham United crest.
"Eldest daughter of Harris, Lauren, is a singer, releasing a solo album in 2008 called the calm before the storm, and is currently a member of a group called Six hours Sundown. With his group, solo, she supported Iron Maiden A Matter of Life and Death tour in 2006 and the Somewhere Back In Time World Tour in 2008.
In addition, his eldest son, George, played guitar in a band called Burn in mind. Harris has divorced his wife of 16 years, Lorraine, in 1993, and describes it as "perhaps the most difficult time ever I face." This dark period in his life is credited with inspiring the mood of the album Iron Maiden following, 1995 "The X Factor. Lorraine Harris has four children, Lauren, Kerry, Faye and George, but since he has two children with the current partner Emma, Maisie and Stanley.
