Iron Maiden 1986 Hammersmith (rare video)

Dom'll Fix It: When Lawson Met Maiden

When I was 13 years old, I wrote a letter to the massively popular Saturday night family TV show Jim'll Fix It. A fervent admirer of Iron Maiden, I asked Jimmy Savile if he would be kind enough to make my dream come true by helping me to meet my favourite band and become part of their road crew. I posted the letter, like thousands of other kids, with only a vague sense of optimism that I would strike it lucky and get on the show.

About a year later, when I had almost entirely forgotten about the letter, a BBC researcher called up my parents and asked if they could come round and see if I was a suitable candidate to be on Jim'll Fix It. Amazingly, it turns out that I was. Cue lot of excited shrieking and a quick change of underwear. And thus, on November 3rd 1986 I travelled to London's Hammersmith Odeon and had my mind completely blown forever. There are many reasons why Iron Maiden are my favourite band of all time -- they're better than everyone else, for a start -- but what you are about to watch is one of the main ones. And no, I wouldn't go for that haircut or that jumper if I had my time again, but fuck it, it was 1986...