Forty years ago today, on March 22, 1982, Iron Maiden released its classic third album, The Number of the Beast.
The Number of the Beast was the first Iron Maiden album to feature vocalist Bruce Dickinson, and the legendary heavy metal band’s first record to reach the top 40 of the Billboard 200, peaking at #33. In the group’s U.K. homeland, the album ascended to #1, and yielded two top-10 hits the title track and “Run to the Hills.”
The Number of the Beast went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales of one million in the U.S.
Iron Maiden is acknowledging the album’s 40th anniversary on its social media sites.
“Happy 40th anniversary to The Number of the Beast!” the band tweeted Tuesday. “Did you get the record on the day of release in ’82?!”
In honor of the milestone, Maiden has been sharing various archival photos and videos from the Beast era, as well as retweeting all sorts related posts from fans, such as photos of ticket stubs. Those who any 1982 memories to share can tag their posts with the hashtag #NOTB40.
Here’s the full track list of The Number of the Beast:
“Invaders”
“Children of the Damned”
“The Prisoner”
“22 Acacia Avenue”
“The Number of the Beast”
“Run to the Hills”
“Gangland”
“Hallowed Be Thy Name”
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