Steve Harris

Steve Harris – Life, Career, and Legacy

Discover Steve Harris (born March 12, 1956), the English bassist, songwriter, and founder of Iron Maiden. Explore his biography, musical style, achievements, and enduring influence.

Introduction

Stephen Percy “Steve” Harris (born March 12, 1956) is an English musician, composer, and bandleader, best known as the founder, bassist, primary songwriter, and only ever-constant member of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden.

Over decades, Harris has shaped the identity of one of metal’s most iconic bands through his distinctive bass style, ambitious songwriting, musical vision, and leadership. His influence extends well beyond bass lines—into production, composition, and the direction of Iron Maiden as a whole.

In this article, we’ll trace his early life, his musical development, his role in Iron Maiden and other projects, his style and philosophy, and his enduring legacy.

Early Life and Background

Steve Harris was born on 12 March 1956 in Leytonstone, then part of Essex (now in London). He spent his early years in east London, with ambitions early on to become a footballer. In fact, he was scouted by Wally St Pier and asked to train for West Ham United, a club he later remained a fan of.

He attended Leyton Senior High School for Boys (later part of Leyton Sixth Form College), where he studied architecture, among other subjects.

Harris’s musical journey began somewhat pragmatically: he had intended to play drums early on, but lacked room for a drum kit in his home. Thus, he decided on bass guitar and began teaching himself.

In 1971, he bought his first bass (a copy of a Fender Precision) for about £40. Just ten months later, he joined his first band, originally called Influence (later Gypsy’s Kiss).

Soon after, he auditioned for a band called Smiler (around 1974). In Smiler he began writing songs, but left when the other members rejected some of his more complex ideas. It was after that departure that he resolved to form his own project—leading to Iron Maiden.

Formation and Rise of Iron Maiden

On Christmas Day 1975, Steve Harris founded Iron Maiden. Over the years, the lineup changed, but Harris has remained the core, constant member throughout.

Before Iron Maiden’s breakthrough, Harris worked day jobs—one being as an architectural draughtsman in East London. He eventually became redundant, and also took street sweeping jobs to stay afloat while pursuing the band.

Iron Maiden signed to EMI in 1979, after which their ascent in the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) era began in earnest.

Harris has long been the principal creative force behind Maiden: writing or co-writing much of their material, contributing to keyboards in the studio, producing or co-producing, and directing/editing live video content for the band.

He also has a solo / side project under the name British Lion, releasing a debut self-titled album in 2012, followed by The Burning in 2020.

Musical Style, Technique & Creativity

Bass Playing & Signature Style

Steve Harris’s bass playing is distinguished by his “galloping” style: a rhythmic pattern (eighth-note followed by two sixteenth-notes) played at high speed, often giving his bass lines a propulsive, lead-like character. He typically plays with two fingers (not a pick), and his tone is often treble-forward, giving clarity and presence in dense arrangements.

His bass is often more audible in the mix than many traditional rock bass lines, reflecting the importance he places on his instrument’s role in the band’s sonic identity.

Songwriting & Composition

Harris’s songwriting often leans to epic, narrative, and thematic directions: mythology, history, literature, fantasy, war, existential themes. Over time his writing has increasingly embraced progressive rock structures (e.g. time changes, longer song forms, complex arrangements).

Guitarist Adrian Smith has noted that Harris writes in a way that translates interestingly to the triple-guitar attack — his bass writing influences the guitar parts and overall musical architecture.

Other Roles

Beyond bass and songwriting, Harris has taken on roles in:

• Producing, co-producing Maiden albums

• Directing and editing the band’s live videos and concert DVDs

• Playing keyboards and synthesizers in studio contexts

Personal Life & Influences

Steve Harris was married to Lorraine Jury; they divorced in 1993 after 16 years of marriage. He has multiple children—among them Lauren Harris (a singer) and George Harris (a guitarist with The Raven Age). He also has children with his partner Emma.

Steve Harris owned a recording/editing studio named Barnyard Studios, located on his property in Sheering, Essex. In later years, the property was put on sale.

He remains a passionate West Ham United supporter and occasionally plays amateur football.

Legacy & Influence

Steve Harris is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential metal bassists of all time. His approach helped redefine the role of bass in heavy metal—from supportive rhythm to a more central, dynamic voice.

Under his leadership, Iron Maiden has sold tens of millions of albums worldwide and remains a stalwart in the global metal scene. His influence is evident in many metal and rock bassists who cite him as a model for combining technique, creativity, and musical vision.

His side project British Lion further showcases his desire to explore different musical avenues while maintaining his core identity in Maiden.

His integration of progressive rock elements into heavy metal has contributed to the longevity and evolution of Iron Maiden’s sound—and to the broader acceptance of ambitious, thematic metal works.