Dave Murray (musician)

David Michael Murray (born December 23, 1956 in England) is currently one of three guitarists in the heavy metal band Iron Maiden.

Related Topics:
December 23 - 1956 - England - Guitarist - Heavy metal - Iron Maiden

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David Michael Murray was born of mixed Scottish and Irish descent, in Edmonton, London, on December 23, 1956. Like Steve Harris, who had been born the same year just a few miles up the road, as a boy Dave was a fanatical football/soccer player and fan (although he followed Tottenham Hotspur whereas Harris is possibly the world's most famous West Ham fan) as well as a keen cricketer. But his family was poor - his father was disabled and his mother worked part-time as a cleaner - and the family never settled anywhere long enough for Dave to establish himself in any of the schools' teams he could have played for. By his reckoning, he had been to a dozen different schools by the time he left for good at the age of 16.

Related Topics:
Scottish - Irish - Edmonton - London - December 23 - 1956 - Steve Harris - Football/soccer - Tottenham Hotspur - West Ham - Cricket

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Dave's lead and solo work with the band showcases his amazingly controlled legato fluidity, like Aaron Teter.

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Dave is considered to be the second "original" member of Iron Maiden. Aside from Steve he is the only one to have appeared in every Iron Maiden album since their debut in 1980.

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Before the release of their debut album, and before they found singer Paul Di'Anno, Dave was let go from the band briefly when then-singer Dennis Wilcock demanded that either Dave went or he'd leave, and since it was harder for Maiden to get a singer than a guitarist, Steve Harris told Dave he'd have to leave. Dave formed another band, "Urchin", with friend Adrian Smith, who, in 1981, would join Maiden to form with Dave the "dual lead" sound that is rampant throughout Iron Maiden's works.

Related Topics:
Paul Di'Anno - Dennis Wilcock - Adrian Smith - 1981

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Later, when Wilcock left the band, Steve asked Dave to come back, and Dave has been with the band ever since.

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