DAVE MURRAY BIOGRAPHY

        David Michael Murray (aka 'The Blond Bomber') was born on December 23 rd, 1956 in North London, and he was raised in Clapton (East End). 

        He started playing guitar at the age of 15 and soon got together with his schoolmate Adrian Smith who lived nearby. They started to practice in Adrian's parents' basement, and later, with a couple of other friends they played at smaller places like church halls etc.. The name of the band was 'Stonefree'.

        After a couple of less successful talent contests, in 1976, Dave joined iron Maiden, and over the next couple of months they played in pubs and clubs around the East End. After a remarkable row with the singer, Dennis Wilcock, Dave left the band for a while to join Adrian Smith's band called 'Urchin'. In that time things didn't go well with Maiden, the members kept changing and the punk music seemed to take over. However, in 1978 Steve Harris asked Dave to re-join Maiden so he took the offer and soon the band started to rehearse again. Early in 1979 they recorded the legendary 'Soundhouse Tapes', and the rest of the story you know. Dave has been in the band ever since, and after Steve he is the longest serving member.

        He didn't have too many outside projects, but he played in Ronnie James Dio's 'Hear 'n Aid' in 1986. In 1990 he recorded two singles with Nicko for the 'Rhytms Of The Beast' project. You can also see him appearing on the video. He also played on a track in Psycho Motel's latest album (Adrian Smith's band) as a guest.

        As for his guitar playing, Dave was self-taught, although he had taken two (2) guitar lessons at the beginning. Among his early influences were Jimi Hendrix, Paul Koshoff, Pete Townsend and Mark Bolan. His powerful but melodic style has become the direction that many up-and-coming young guitarists try to follow.

        Dave supports the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. 

        Dave is still that quiet and smiling guy that everybody likes; when not playing he often relaxes at paying golf, tennis or reading horror stories. 

        The name 'Dave' is derived from the old Hebrew and it means 'friend'.