Adrian Smith
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Introduction
Adrian Frederik Smith (Adrian Smith) is a famous guitarist born on the 27th of February 1957 in London, England. He is most famous for being part of the legendary heavy metal band Iron Maiden.
Early Days
Still at school Adrian became friend of Dave Murray, joining his band "Urchin", where he sang and played lead guitar. Dave would leave Urchin to join Steve Harris in Iron Maiden, while Smith remained as Urchin's frontman, until 1980 when he joined Iron Maiden for good.
Maiden
Smith joined Maiden just in time to release their second LP, "Killers". He composed some of his first songs for the third album of the band "The number of the beast", becoming one of the main band's composers ever after.
It was Dave Murray and Adrian Smith excellent connection that provided Maiden's signature sound, with their dual leads played at the same time creating perfect harmonizations and riffs that created some of the best albums in the history of New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Although both guitarists rely heavily on legato, Smith's style is flawless and deeply based on the blues, with a perfect control over modes, arpeggios and overall song structure. As such, he is widely regarded as on of the best heavy metal guitarists.
He stayed with Maiden 9 years until "No prayer for the Dying", when he decided to focus on his side projects with ASAP. But he would come back in the future!
Other Projects beside Maiden
Right after "Seventh son of a seventh son" Maiden tour Smith took the time to record an LP with his side project band ASAP (Adrian Smith and Project). The title of the album was "Silver and Gold", and was recorded in 1989.
Later on he would create a new band "Psycho Motel", recording two albums, "State of Mind" in 1996 y "Welcome to the World" in 1997.
He also joined forces with Maiden's singer Bruce Dickinson when the latter decided to go solo, leaving Maiden for a few years. Smith plays guitar in both Dickinson's LPs "Accident of Birth" (1997) and "The Chemical Wedding" (1998)
Back to Maiden
1999 was a great year for Maiden fans. Both Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickinson re-joined the band, and this time to stay.
From this year on Maiden sported not two but three guitarists, as Janick Gers also stayed in the band despite Smith's reincorporation, thus leaving Maiden with a mind blowing array of guitar swingers: Dave Murray, Janick Gers & Adrian Smith.
