Its hard to believe, but England’s heavy metal group, Iron Maiden has been making records and touring for over 35 years now. Millions of fans worldwide have been rocking out to the band and their ever present mascot “Eddie,” or “Edward the Head.” Originally conceived by artist Derek Riggs, the design came from a mask that the band had been given by one of their friends.
Through the years, both Iron Maiden and Eddie have gone through some changes. Different lineups and themes have appeared on their vast collection of material, but the popularity of the music and the character that is synonomous with the band is still running free. Let’s take a look at how old Eddie has evolved through the decades.
1980 “Iron Maiden”
On their first album, Eddie is alone on the streets. Though he isn’t doing anything wrong, we get the sense that he is definitely up to no good, and it is only a matter of time before we see that his beauty is only skin deep.
1981 “Killers”
One year later, our suspicions prove correct as Eddie has let his hair down and begins his reign of terror. This is the last album with singer Paul Di’Anno.
1982 “Number of the Beast”
Enter new powerhouse singer Bruce Dickinson, and we see Eddie grow in power, as he is pictured  pulling the strings of Satan. He seems to be enjoying this role too doesn’t he?
1983 “Piece of Mind”
This album cover shows us that Eddie’s good times in the last album have come to an end. Gone are the greasy locks, as we see the results of an obviously unsuccessful brain surgery.
1984 “Powerslave”
Eddie is now revered as a deceased ruler and his burial tomb rivals that of King Tut’s. It is unclear as to if this picture is from the past, or the future. Who has Eddie become a slave to?
1985 “Live After Death”
Apparently someone moved the body, and Eddie appears to be pissed about it, as he emerges from his new grave in chains.
1986 “Somewhere in Time”
It seems like Eddie has gotten the hang off this time-traveling thing, as he journeys to the future as a cyborg on a mission.
1988 “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son”
With a bleak background behind him, Eddie shows that though most of him has been stripped away, he still has his heart, and his mind is safely locked away.
1999 “Fear of the Dark”
On this cover Eddie shows us his ability to be a shape shifter, suddenly appearing out of seemingly inanimate objects.
[1995 “The X-Factor”
Things aren’t looking so good for our friend on this cover. It looks like the end is near for Eddie and his antics. Interestingly, frontman Bruce Dickinson wasn’t on this album. Coincidence?
1998 “Virtual XI”
As the times and technology changes, Eddie takes on a new face for the potential victims of the internet. He’s got his smile back to show his enjoyment.
2000 “Brave New World”
Singer Bruce Dickinson comes back after a 7 year abscence and Eddie is in the skies looking down with a gleeful grin. A new storm is on the horizon and something wicked this way comes.
2003 “Dance of Death”
It seems that nobody was very happy with Eddie’s version of the Grim Reaper on this album cover. The artist David Patchett, requested that his name be removed from the credits.
2006 “A Matter of Life and Death”
Eddie and his comrades are on the move as a tanker unit, in what must be Armageddon. Does this signify the end of Iron Maiden and the world as we know it?
2010 “The Final Frontier”
Eddie is a mutated alien, still causing havoc on all those in his presence. Earth is useless to him as it floats in the background.
2011 “From Fear to Eternity?
On this album, Eddie resumes his more traditional look as he rocks the torn jeans and started growing his hair back. He’s still slashing and burning all in his path as a ghostly figure looks on.
2015 “Book of Souls”
Due to be released in September of this year, Eddie has gone tribal with tatts and gauged earlobes. Will this be a return to the ways of the ancients?
I guess I am an old man, I remember the early days, and those are the versions of Eddie that I like the most. I can remember one show where Eddie was about 8 feet tall. He was running around the stage with his arms flapping, it was very cool at the time. Which one is your favorite?
Whatever changes Eddie and the guys of Iron Maiden have made, one thing remains constant, they still rank as one of the heaviest, hard rocking metal bands of all time and Eddie has been right there beside them.
