Iron Maiden certainly has the most recognizable mascot in metal history. The undead Eddie , also known as Eddie The Head , is much more than just a scary face on album covers and band t-shirts: he's also a character with his own personality who takes the stage with Iron Maiden to this day.
The mascot truly comes to life at the band's shows. Initially, the still-unnamed face was just a backdrop, evolving into a decorative head shortly after, giving rise to the name "Eddie the Head".
In 1982, the band began a tradition that continues strong: Eddie materialized on stage to interact with fans and band members, becoming increasingly larger and more sophisticated, with different looks that match the many versions present in the band's discography. Therefore, the question always arises: Who controls Eddie during Iron Maiden shows?
In the early days, businessman Rod Smallwood took on the role of dressing up as Eddie, donning a mask, jacket, and jeans. Back then, though, it was easy to picture a person inside the mascot costume, right?
But with Eddie's impressive visuals today, allowing the character to walk across the stage, bend the knee, and fight with Bruce Dickinson , many questions arise about the mechanisms used to bring him to life.
Regarding these mysteries, Iron Maiden doesn't reveal the details of Eddie's backstage life on tour. Some believe Eddie is a remotely controlled robot, but at least there's this certainty: there's a human being inside.
Apparently, there hasn't been a fixed person throughout the years in the noble role of portraying the mascot. A name frequently mentioned among fans is that of stage builder Ashley Groom , known as "The Gentle Giant" by members of the Maiden crew, who worked with the band for many years starting in 2003. Sadly, Ash passed away on July 4th of this year.
Currently, there is no information about who is inside Eddie when he goes on stage. A photo of Eddie Samurai used in the current tour, The Legacy of The Beast Tour , shows the eyes of an unidentified person on stage.
To learn the full story of how Eddie was born, grew up, and became the greatest mascot of all time, click here .
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