Steve Harris (musician)
| Steve Harris | |
|---|---|
Steve Harris performing in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Stephen Percy Harris |
| Born |
12 March 1956 Leytonstone, Essex, England |
| Genres | Heavy metal, hard rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, keyboards, vocals |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Labels | EMI |
| Associated acts | Iron Maiden, Lauren Harris, Smiler, Gypsy's Kiss |
| Website | www |
| Notable instruments | |
| Fender Precision Bass | |
Stephen Percy "Steve" Harris (born 12 March 1956) is an English musician and songwriter, known as the bassist, occasional keyboardist, backing vocalist, primary songwriter and founder of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. He is the only member of Iron Maiden to have remained in the band since their inception in 1975 and, along with guitarist Dave Murray, to have appeared on all of their albums.
Harris has a recognisable and popular style of bass playing, particularly the "gallop" which can be found on several Iron Maiden recordings, such as the singles "Run to the Hills" and "The Trooper". In addition to his role as the band's bass player, writer and backing vocalist, he has undertaken many other roles for the group, such as producing and co-producing their albums, directing and editing their live videos and performing studio keyboards and synthesizers. He has been cited as one of the greatest heavy metal bassists.
On 24 September 2012, Harris released his debut solo album, British Lion.
Harris was born and grew up in Leytonstone, where he grew up aspiring to be a professional footballer. Scouted by Wally St Pier, Harris was asked to train for West Ham United. After gaining an interest in rock music in his early teens, he realised that he no longer desired to play football professionally.
Initially Harris wanted to play drums, but did not have enough space for a drum kit in his house and so decided on the bass instead. Entirely self-taught, his first bass was a copy of a Fender Precision model which cost him £40 in 1971.
Just 10 months after he bought his first bass, Harris joined a band, initially known as Influence and later Gypsy's Kiss, featuring Bob Verscoyle (lead vocals), Dave Smith (guitar) and drummer Paul Sears. After a short number of gigs at the Cart and Horses pub in Maryland Point, Stratford and the Bridgehouse in Canning Town, the band split up and Harris auditioned for a band called Smiler in February 1974. In this outfit, Harris began writing his own songs and worked with future Iron Maiden members Dennis Wilcock and Doug Sampson, but left the band after they refused to play his material, claiming it was too complicated.
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