Iron Maiden and their 80s stardom (Photos)

On this day, Iron Maiden scored in 1982 their first UK number one album with their third studio record. Formed in 1975 in Leyton, East London, The Air-Raid Siren and his acolytes soon became the most popular heavy metal act on Earth. At the same time they hit that record in 1982, The Number Of The Beast turned platinum in the US on an era that saw the debut of lead singer Bruce Dickinson and the final appearance of the late drummer Clive Burr in the band.

We take a look to our archive to remember how they were and what they were about to become in the 80s through photos of great snappers at the time like Ross Halfin and Aaron Rapoport. That pic of Dickinson wearing a Helloween t-shirt is the kind of thing we're looking for in #HotPressMyLovelyTshirt!