Steve Harris

Stephen Percy Harris (born 12 March 1956) is an English musician and songwriter, best known as the bassist for heavy metal band Iron Maiden, which he founded in 1975. He is the only member who has been in the band for its entire history, while he and guitarist Dave Murray are the only members who have appeared on all of the band's studio albums.

Harris developed an influential style of bass playing, particularly the "gallop" which can be found on many Iron Maiden recordings, such as the singles "Run to the Hills" and "The Trooper". He was the band's primary songwriter in its early history, but in later years he has been more likely to collaborate with his other members of the band. Harris has also assumed other roles in Iron Maiden, contributing keyboards and backing vocals, co-producing albums, and directing live videos.

Harris is widely regarded as one of the best heavy metal bassists of all time. He has also led the hard rock side project British Lion.

Harris was born on 12 March 1956 in the back room of his grandmother's house in Leytonstone, then part of Essex, where he grew up aspiring to be a professional footballer. Scouted by Wally St Pier, Harris was asked to train for West Ham United during his early teen years. After becoming interested in rock music in subsequent years, he realised that he no longer desired to play football professionally and envisioned a career in music instead. In particular, he was greatly influenced by the Beatles. Harris attended Leyton Senior High School for Boys (now Leyton Sixth Form College) where he studied architecture.

Initially Harris wanted to play drums, but did not have enough space for a drum kit in his house; he decided on learning bass instead. Entirely self-taught, his first bass was a copy of a Fender Precision model which cost him £40 in 1971.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.