In a recent interview with Sonic Perspectives, IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith selected “Wrathchild” as his top pick from the band’s catalog, while also noting the song’s “awkward” nature when played live.
“One of my favourites has always been ‘Wrathchild’,” Smith said (as transcribed by Ultimate Guitar). “That’s a great one. It’s not a great one to play, weirdly. It’s kind of awkward to play. That riff is kind of awkward. But I like the song. I do love the song.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Smith, one of MAIDEN‘s longest-serving members (excluding his 1990-1998 break), talked about his teenage friendship with fellow guitarist Dave Murray. He also contributes backing vocals to the band.
“When I was 15 years old, back in London, I met Dave Murray,” he recalled. “We became best buddies because no one else in our neighbourhood at that time was into DEEP PURPLE and FREE. We were crazy about it. We had long hair already. All the other kids were into soul music, and all the other kids wanted to do was get cars, get married and all that. Nothing wrong with that. But we wanted guitars, to be in a band. That was it.”
“I mean, we were just obsessed with it,” Adrian continued. “Dave could play the guitar already, and I wanted to be in a band with him. I said, ‘Well, I’ll have a go at singing.’ So, that’s how I started. I sang and learned guitar as I went along, and I did that right up until I joined MAIDEN. I was fronting a band and singing, and I paid my dues in the pubs and clubs, singing through sh**ty PAs, no monitors, singing myself raw, and loved every minute of it.”
An official IRON MAIDEN documentary is in production for a 2025 global cinema release, coinciding with their 50th anniversary. It includes interviews with the band, fans, and notable figures, plus Paul Di’Anno’s final interview.
Source: metaladdicts.com
