Sir Stephen Harris?

W

wheeze

Prowler
A petition has been created at the UK gov. website to include Steve Harris in the new years honours list:

" We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to ensure that Steve Harris, founder member and bass guitarist of Iron Maiden be included in the next list of honours.

Submitted by Martin Curtis – Deadline to sign up by: 17 July 2007 – Signatures: 403"

Steve Harris founded Iron Maiden arguably, Britain's most successful ever rock band.

Most succesful British rock bands have a lifespan of 10 or so years, Iron Maiden are one of a limited number that have bucked that trend and have entertained millions and millions over an unbroken period of 30 years. Steve Harris has been the driving force behind Iron Maiden throughout that time.

Iron Maiden are often the band that encourage youngsters into Rock music; one of the pleasures of a Maiden gig is the healthy mix of young and old. Steve Harris, as a very fit, relatively moderate drinker, is a great role model for the younger fans that his band continuously attracts.

Rock music is a huge part of the lives of many people in Britain. It is right that the contributions of the most senior figures in British rock music are recognised by the establishment. Steve Harris is, arguably, the most deserving of that recognition.



Add your signature NOW!

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SteveHarris/

Digg this: http://digg.com/music/Petition_to_honou ... ron_Maiden

:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

wheeze said:
Steve Harris founded Iron Maiden arguably, Britain's most successful ever rock band.
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What about The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Pink Floyd, The Who or Black Sabbath, to name but a few?
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

An interesting mix of signatories: Malcolm Dome, Geoff Barton and Bruce Dickinson.

Good luck with this petition as his knighthood may never see the light of day - but who knows? Stranger things have happened. I seem to recall Duke doing a small (tongue-in-cheek) campaign to get the band knighted a while back. :D
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

Perun said:
What about The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Pink Floyd, The Who or Black Sabbath, to name but a few?
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I believe that the term 'rock band' is meant to mean 'heavy metal band' here, as most people would associate rock with a slightly more respectable edge...so, taken in this context, Maiden are (arguably) the most successful 'heavy rock' band (as many ignorant of metal choose to call it).
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

I don't think honours mean a knighthood. This is probably a petition for him to get an MBE. It seems a bit tenuous to say he deserves it because he doesn't drink much. I signed it anyway.
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

Raven said:
I believe that the term 'rock band' is meant to mean 'heavy metal band' here, as most people would associate rock with a slightly more respectable edge...so, taken in this context, Maiden are (arguably) the most successful 'heavy rock' band (as many ignorant of metal choose to call it).
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Then call it a metal band instead of a rock band. Metal has been it's own genre for a while now... But taken the other bands into consideration I think only Pink Floyd is the only one that has had a longer successful career (That's right the rolling stones should have stopped after their first album, good god).
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

Onhell said:
Then call it a metal band instead of a rock band. Metal has been it's own genre for a while now... But taken the other bands into consideration I think only Pink Floyd is the only one that has had a longer successful career (That's right the rolling stones should have stopped after their first album, good god).
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You don't quite understand, I feel.  The fact is, that if they labelled Iron Maiden as a 'metal' band, it would lessen the chance of the petition even being considered.  By calling them a 'rock' band, it automatically puts into perspective the idea that other bands, such as the Stones and The Who, were also viewed as 'too loud' and rubbish by their fan's peers (just as many parents no doubt see bands like Maiden as 'random noise'), are now highly respected, accomplished groups.  This being the case, it raises the chances of anybody seriously considering the petition.
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

national acrobat said:
I don't think honours mean a knighthood.
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You're right, trust me to read something that isn't. :blush:
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

Onhell said:
Then call it a metal band instead of a rock band. Metal has been it's own genre for a while now... But taken the other bands into consideration I think only Pink Floyd is the only one that has had a longer successful career (That's right the rolling stones should have stopped after their first album, good god).
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Are you arguing the Rolling Stones didn't have a successful career because you didn't like the stuff after their first albums? Mate, the Stones are the biggest rock band on this planet...
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

Albie said:
You're right, trust me to read something that isn't. :blush:
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It wasn't you, it was written: The title of the thread is 'Sir Steven Harris'. Anyway, isn't his proper name Stephen? Or 'Arry or something....
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

very interesting post, and for sure it will be nice for Steve to be honored, but...

wheeze said:
Steve Harris founded Iron Maiden arguably, Britain's most successful ever rock band.
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...what about
1) Rolling Stones ?
2) Led Zeppelin ?
3) Black Sabbath ?

there are all British rock bands, and -as far as regarding sales numbers- more succesful than Iron Maiden  :S
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

The Beatles will always be Britain's (and in fact, the whole world's) most successful rock band. Their influence is so dramatic that very little pre-Beatles rock matters anymore; for all intents and purposes, they invented rock music. That applies to all genres of rock, including metal. The Beatles are the kings over everyone.

There are a few significant bands who were contemporary with the Beatles, and consequently were not-as-much Beatle-influenced. The Rolling Stones, the Who and the Kinks are three such bands (there might be more, but not many). These bands are on the next tier below the Beatles; show me a band who wasn't influenced by the Beatles, and I'll bet they were influenced by one of the three I just named. (Example: Iron Maiden may not show much Beatles influence, but they show a fair amount of Who influence.)

And if you think "successful" means commercial success, then the Beatles again accomplished feats which will likely never be matched. Watch some documentaries on Beatlemania if you don't know about it. One example: one week in 1964, Beatles records occupied the top five spots on the US singles chart. Very few artists since have been able to get so much as 2 simultaneous top 10 singles, let alone 5, let alone having all 5 of those at the top.

Finally, I hope Harris - or any other rock star - never gets honors from any government based on their music. Rock music is supposed to be about rebellion, dammit. Guys like McCartney who accept those kinda honors make me sick. I oppose "official" sanction of rock music. Let Harris remain a hero to us, and tell the gov't to go fuck their mothers.
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

SinisterMinisterX said:
(Example: Iron Maiden may not show much Beatles influence, but they show a fair amount of Who influence.)
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I didn't mention Beatles as many don't consider them a rock band ....I am not sure also, but I love them and yes, they influenced every kind of music

Iron Maiden in BNW album pay their respects to Beatles :

...At what age begin to learn of which way out we will turn
Theres a long and winding road and the trail is there to burn...

I think there is a second reference for the Beatles in IM discography, but I can't remember it right now

SinisterMinisterX said:
Finally, I hope Harris - or any other rock star - never gets honors from any government based on their music. Rock music is supposed to be about rebellion, dammit. Guys like McCartney who accept those kinda honors make me sick. I oppose "official" sanction of rock music. Let Harris remain a hero to us, and tell the gov't to go fuck their mothers.
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100% agreed
...again it comes to mind another bassist, sir Paul of the the Beatles

PS : ...Steve Harris as I think I know him, would accept this "honor" too 

and yes, rock is supposed to be about rebellion

...but it isn't
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

I dunno.  Maiden, especially Steve, have always been pretty down-to-earth.  I think something like knighthood would be pretty alien to them/him.  But then, Steve isn't that much of a "rebel" either...  Hard to say whether he would accept it were he to be knighted, but then again, it's very unlikely that he would even receive the offer.
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

Just for the record (as i posted this) - Its not my petition, i merely posted it as i thought it was funny.

Having said that, Maiden are a real British success story who generate millions in revenue (and taxes) for the UK - there are many other businessmen who have recieved honours for much less.

Usually these public petitioned awards go to lollipop ladies - i wonder if any of them can do the "machine-gun bass" thing with thier lollipops - that would be cool :-)
 
I don't like this at all.  This whole "let's knight anyone who has offered a lot to some art form" attitude just shows hypocrisy of the government.  Like they even care about those bands,  especially when these bands tend to be rebellious,  and against the government.  They're just doing that so they can be "allies" with those bands,  and they can't influence the crowds as much.  I pity any artist who is rebellious and gets a knighthood offered.  Unfortunately,  even if he wants to,  he can't turn it down....
 
Re: Sir Steven Harris?

____no5 said:
Iron Maiden in BNW album pay their respects to Beatles :

...At what age begin to learn of which way out we will turn
Theres a long and winding road and the trail is there to burn...
Click to expand...

I don't even know why I bother to post this, but still... there is no evidence that this is a reference to The Beatles. Following your logic, every song containing the word "Yesterday" or "Revolution" would be one... or the entire Norwegian wood industry. In case you don't know, long and winding roads are something you will encounter virtually everywhere in the countryside.
 
Perun said:
Are you arguing the Rolling Stones didn't have a successful career because you didn't like the stuff after their first albums? Mate, the Stones are the biggest rock band on this planet...
Click to expand...

Ever heard of Sarcasm?
 
Never quite understood Knighthood in the UK these days..... I know it is a title and with that comes certain rights and privileges but weren't Knights supposed to be defenders of the realm, slayers of dragons, etc. Again, just my possible misconception, I really don't know.

I wonder if 'Arry would run into a hard with this based on his band's endorsement and publication of art putting Margaret Thatcher in all kinds of compromising situations, hmmm  <_<
 
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