Power 96 Cool One Recap: Iron Maiden

“Holy Smoke” was Wednesday’s Power 96 Cool One; it came from British heavy metal band Iron Maiden off of their 1990 No Prayer for the Dying album. Although, like most of their singles, it didn’t do well in the U.S., but it did manage to get to No. 3 on the UK Singles chart. This is the first single to feature their new guitarist, Janick Gers. He replaced guitarist Adrian Smith, who left because he didn't like the direction the band was taking musically. The album made it to No. 2 in the UK and No. 17 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

Founded in 1975, Iron Maiden has released 16 albums, several live albums and more than three dozen singles over the span of their career. They are known as one of the leading bands in the new wave of the British heavy metal scene.

If you’re a Maiden fan, their live shows are even better than their albums, and back in the day I was lucky enough to see them a couple of times in concert. And I once had the privilege of going backstage to meet them. They were all very gracious and conversational and I was able to talk with them for quite a while, unlike other band backstage meet-n-greets I’ve been to where they shake your hand, sign a couple of things and move on.

Today’s Power 96 Cool One will be airing earlier, about 3:30PM, due to the Faribault vs. Northfield baseball doubleheader at 3:45. Today’s Cool One comes from a band straight out of the Long Beach, Calif., music scene. Don’t miss it.