Dave Murray

David Michael "Dave" Murray (born 23 December 1956) is an English guitarist and songwriter. He was one of the earliest members of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden and, along with the group's founder, bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris, has appeared on all of the band's releases. Growing up in various areas of London, Murray became a member of a skinhead gang before he took an interest in rock music at 15 and formed his own band, Stone Free, with childhood friend Adrian Smith. After leaving school at 15, he regularly answered advertisements which appeared in Melody Maker before auditioning for Iron Maiden in 1976. A short while later, Murray was sacked following an argument with the group's lead vocalist, Dennis Wilcock, and spent six months in Smith's band, Urchin. In the spring of 1978, following Wilcock's departure, Murray was asked to rejoin Iron Maiden, in which he has remained to this day.