Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we celebrate the icons who defined the very sound of heavy metal. Today, we pay tribute to a true legend and an absolute cornerstone of one of the greatest bands of all time: the one and only Dave Murray of Iron Maiden. As a co-founding guitarist and a constant presence since the very beginning, Dave’s famously smooth, fluid, and lightning-fast legato style has been a defining and beloved characteristic of the Maiden sound for their entire historic career.
The Heartbeat of the Beast
Dave Murray’s role in Iron Maiden is that of the fluid, melodic, and often fiery heart of their legendary guitar section. He is one-half of one of the most famous and influential twin-guitar duos in history (originally with Dennis Stratton, and most famously with Adrian Smith), and now a key part of their incredible three-guitar attack. While his partners often brought a more structured, bluesy, or aggressive edge, Daveâs playing has always been defined by its incredible smoothness and speed. His solos are like a liquid stream of notesâfast, exciting, and full of beautiful, vocal-like melodic phrases.
Anatomy of a Maiden Icon
Dave Murrayâs signature sound is a product of his incredible technique and his simple, yet iconic, choice of gear.
The Legato King: His most defining characteristic is his absolute mastery of legato (hammer-ons and pull-offs). He uses this technique to play incredibly fast, seamless, and fluid lines that sound more like a violin or a human voice than a picked guitar. This smooth, flowing style is instantly recognizable and has been a huge influence on countless metal and rock guitarists.
The Fender Stratocaster: Dave Murray is a true icon of the Fender Stratocaster. His most famous instrument is his legendary 1957 Fender Stratocaster, which was formerly owned by the late, great Paul Kossoff of Free. He is also famous for his signature Fender models. A crucial element of his sound is his use of Seymour Duncan Hot Rails pickupsâpowerful, single-coil-sized humbuckers that give his Strats a thick, high-gain, and singing tone perfect for heavy metal.
The Marshall Sound: Like his bandmates, Dave is a quintessential Marshall player. His classic, powerful, and singing lead tone has been achieved for decades by plugging his high-output Strats into a wall of roaring Marshall amplifiers, creating that definitive British heavy metal sound.
Essential Murray: Maiden’s Fluid Fire
Dave Murray has contributed countless unforgettable solos to Iron Maiden’s legendary catalogue. To hear his signature fluid fire in action, these three tracks are a perfect starting point.
“Hallowed Be Thy Name”
Considered by many to be Maiden’s magnum opus, this epic track features some of Dave’s most iconic and beautifully constructed solos. His lead breaks are perfect examples of his fluid legato, his incredible speed, and his genius for crafting a soaring, memorable melody that perfectly elevates the song’s dramatic narrative.
“
Phantom of the Opera”
An early, progressive epic from their debut album, “Phantom” is a stunning showcase of the band’s instrumental prowess and Dave’s incredible stamina. His fast, flowing, and relentless legato runs during the song’s intricate instrumental section are simply breathtaking and set a new standard for speed and fluidity in heavy metal.
“The Number of the Beast”
On the title track of their world-conquering album, Dave unleashes a classic, fiery solo that is a perfect burst of his signature style. Itâs a lightning-fast, yet melodic, statement that perfectly captures the energy and excitement of the band at the peak of their powers.
Dave Murray is a true legend and one of the most recognizable and influential guitarists in the history of heavy metal. His smooth, liquid-fast legato style has been a constant and defining feature of the Iron Maiden sound for over 45 years. He is a beloved and iconic figure whose melodic, fluid, and seemingly effortless playing continues to inspire and awe generations of guitarists worldwide.
Cover Photo Credit “Dave Murray 30nov2006” by Darz Mol is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
