Dave Murray (musician): Difference between revisions

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{{short description|English guitarist}}

{{Guitarist infobox

{{EngvarB|date=August 2016}}

| name = Dave Murray

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}

| image = [[Image:Davemurray-ironmaiden.jpg]]

{{Infobox musical artist

| born = December 23, 1956 <br /> [[Edmonton, London|Edmonton]], [[London]], [[England]]

| diedname = Dave Murray

| image = Soundwave Iron Maiden (5508224503) (cropped).jpg

| aliases =

| genrecaption = [[HeavyMurray metalperforming music|Heavyin metal]]Melbourne, Australia on 4 March 2011

| affiliationimage_size = [[Iron Maiden]] =

| labelbirth_name = David Michael = [[EMI]]Murray

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1956|12|23}}

| notable guitars = [[Fender]] [[Stratocaster]]

| birth_place = [[Edmonton, London|Edmonton]], [[Middlesex]], England

| years = 1975 - present

| website instrument =

| genre = {{hlist|[[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]|[[hard rock]]}}

| occupation = Guitarist

| years_active = 1975–present

| current_member_of = [[Iron Maiden]]

| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[Urchin (band)|Urchin]]|[[Hear 'n Aid]]}}

| website =

}}

'''David Michael Murray''' (born [[December 23]], [[1956]] in [[Edmonton, London]]) is an [[England|English]] [[guitarist]] and [[songwriter]]. Murray was born of mixed [[Scotland|Scottish]] and [[Ireland|Irish]] descent. Known to some fans as "moonface", he is the founding guitarist of the heavy metal band [[Iron Maiden]]. He joined the band just two months after their inception in 1975.

'''David Michael Murray''' (born 23 December 1956){{sfn|Wall|2004|p=35}} is an English guitarist, best known as a member of the [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Iron Maiden]]. He joined Iron Maiden early in its history, and is the second-longest serving member of the band after founder [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]]. He and Harris are the only members of Iron Maiden to have appeared on every album.

Like the band's bassist [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]], who was living a few miles up the same road, as a boy Dave was a fanatical [[soccer|football]] (soccer) player and fan (although he followed [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] whereas Harris is a [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham]] fan) as well as a keen [[cricket]]er. But his family was poor - his father was disabled and his mother worked part-time as a cleaner - and the family never settled anywhere long enough for Dave to establish himself in any of the schools' teams he could have played for. By his reckoning, he had been to a dozen different schools by the time he left for good at the age of 16.

Growing up in various areas of London, Murray became a member of a [[Heavy metal subculture|metalhead]] gang fighting [[skinheads]] before he took an interest in rock music at 15 and formed his first band Stone Free with [[Adrian Smith (musician)|Adrian Smith]]. After leaving school at 15,{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=40}} he regularly answered advertisements which appeared in ''[[Melody Maker]]'' before auditioning for Iron Maiden in 1976. In 1977 he was temporarily sacked from Iron Maiden and spent six months in Smith's band, [[Urchin (band)|Urchin]]. He rejoined Iron Maiden in 1978 and remains with the band to this day.

The first thing he did when he made some money was buy his parents a house. His dad has since passed away but his mother still lives there to this day. The only remaining member of the original lineup - along with Steve Harris - who first signed to [[EMI]] Records back in 1979, Dave's hard upbringing also helped him ride the highs and lows of his career in Maiden without ever losing his head.

Dave first got interested in rock music when he was 15. He'd heard "[[Voodoo Child]]" by [[Jimi Hendrix]] on the radio and everything changed. He got his first guitar and formed his first ever band, a trio called [[Stone Free]], which also featured [[Adrian Smith]] (Guitar/Vocals) of Iron Maiden.

==Biography==

From there, Dave had played with a number of different bands before meeting Steve Harris and joining Iron Maiden for the first time in 1976. As long time fans of Maiden or people who bought ''[[The Early Days]]'' DVD will know, he was actually sacked just a few months later - after an argument with then vocalist [[Dennis Wilcock]]. Dave rejoined Adrian in [[Urchin]], who recorded one single, "Black Leather Jacket", before Dave upped sticks again and returned to a new Maiden without Wilcock.

As a child, Murray's family lived in poverty and were constantly moving to different areas of London, which meant that he was often bullied and involved in fights.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=37}} By the time his family settled in Clapton in 1970, Murray joined an early [[metalhead]] gang that brawled and won fights against East end [[skinhead]]s and "had a rowdy couple of hairy hellraising years of being out on the street."{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=39}} He developed an interest in rock music when he was 15 after hearing "[[Voodoo Child (Slight Return)|Voodoo Child]]" by [[Jimi Hendrix]] on the radio, about which he recalls, "everything changed, just like that. Getting into rock music wasn't like a gradual process for me; it was completely sort of extreme, totally black and white. I heard 'Voodoo Child' on the radio and I thought, 'Bloody hell! What is THAT? How do you do THAT?' And I started hanging around the rock music section of the record stores and buying albums, thinking about getting into the big time, wondering what that would be like."{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=39}}

After "hanging 'round record stores" and acquiring several Hendrix and blues albums, Murray decided to take up the guitar.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=41}} At 16, he formed his first band, a trio called Stone Free, which also included his childhood friend [[Adrian Smith (musician)|Adrian Smith]] on vocals.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=41}} From there, Murray would answer ads in ''[[Melody Maker]]'' and regularly audition for different bands at the weekend,{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=41}} leading to short stints in Electric Gas, "this sort of soft-rock, American-type band", and The Secret, "this sort of mad punk band", with whom he would record a single "The Young Ones" under the alias "Reggie Mental",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/3768371-Reggie-Mental |title=Reggie Mental |website=Discogs |language=en |access-date=2018-08-11}}</ref> and a demo, ''Café De Dance'', in 1977.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=42}}

[[Image:Dave_murray_shred.JPG|left|thumb|350px|Dave Murray performing onstage in [[Rock in Rio|Rio]] during the [[Brave New World (album)|Brave New World]] tour.'']]

[[File:Iron Maiden 05.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Murray (left) performing with [[Adrian Smith (musician)|Adrian Smith]] in 1982]]

Dave's contributions to Maiden, musically, over the years have mainly been of the legato based solo variety. This can be seen in songs from their first self titled album, such as "Phantom of the Opera", to songs from their latest release ''[[A Matter of Life and Death (album)|A Matter of Life and Death]]'', such as the new single "[[The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg]]". Dave's unique sound and style can be clearly noticed and distinguished from [[Janick Gers]]' and Adrian Smith's sounds. Dave has also written for the band, though not often. Usually leaving lyrics to someone else, he has written known Maiden songs such as "The Prophecy" or even further back to "[[Charlotte the Harlot]]".

He auditioned for Iron Maiden in late 1976, eager to get back into "a more sort of heavy rock-type vibe."{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=42}} At the time the band already had two guitarists, Dave Sullivan and Terry Rance, who disapproved of Murray being permitted to audition, seeing it as a slight on their ability.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=33}} The group's founder and bassist [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]] did not hesitate to choose Murray over Sullivan and Rance, later stating: "When the others made it plain that it was either them or Dave Murray, there was no choice. There was no way I was gonna let Dave go. Not only was he a nice bloke, he was just the best guitarist I'd ever worked with. He still is."{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=34}} After only a few months in the band, Murray was sacked following an argument with singer Dennis Wilcock after a show at the Bridge House pub in [[Canning Town]].{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=46}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Perrone |first=Pierre |date=11 January 2008 |title=Legends of the Bridge House: The venue everyone loved |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/legends-bridge-house-venue-everyone-loved-769508.html |work=[[The Independent]] |___location=London |access-date=30 May 2021}}</ref>

Along with [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]], they are the only ones to have appeared on every one of the band's albums.

Murray then reunited with Adrian Smith in Smith's band [[Urchin (band)|Urchin]].{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=47}} During his short tenure with the band, Murray recorded one single, entitled "She's a Roller",{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=47}} after which he was asked to rejoin Iron Maiden shortly before Dennis Wilcock's departure. Murray managed to hold down a [[9 to 5]] job working as a storekeeper for the [[London Borough of Hackney]], which he has stated was "so I could sleep off the night before",<ref name="Bushell 32">{{cite book |last1=Bushell |first1=Garry |author-link1=Garry Bushell |last2=Halfin |first2=Ross |author-link2=Ross Halfin |title=Running Free, The Official Story of Iron Maiden |edition=2nd |publisher=Zomba Books |year=1985 |page=[https://archive.org/details/ironmaidenrunnin00bush/page/32 32] |isbn=0-946391-84-X |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/ironmaidenrunnin00bush/page/32 }}</ref> but was able to resign once Iron Maiden signed with [[EMI]] in 1979.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=114}} Murray remains with Iron Maiden to the present day, and he and Harris are the only members who have appeared on all the band's commercial releases.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=35}}

In his spare time Dave is an avid [[golf|golfer]], as seen in the ''[[Rock in Rio]]'' DVD.

== Artistry ==

Throughout his career, Dave has used and endorsed [[Marshall]] amplifiers and [[Fender]] [[Stratocaster]]s almost exclusively. His famous black '57 strat (used from circa 1976-1990) now resides in a glass case at his home. Although he has been seen with the occasional Gibson, ESP, or acoustic, Dave's primary instrument has always been the strat. He used the [[DiMarzio]] [[Super Distortion]] and [PAF] in his strats before switching to [[Seymour Duncan]] JB's and Hot Rails in the 1990's.

Murray's solo guitar style throughout his career has been mainly based on the [[legato]] technique, such as on "[[The Trooper]]", which he claims "evolved naturally. I'd heard Jimi Hendrix using legato when I was growing up, and I liked that style of playing."<ref name="Total Guitar"/> His playing has a distinctly fluid sound which distinguishes him from the other two guitarists in Iron Maiden. He has also written songs for Iron Maiden, though he is less prolific than other band members,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Dave Murray |journal=Metal Hammer Presents: Iron Maiden 30 Years of Metal Mayhem |year=2005 |first=Dave |last=Ling |page=47}}</ref> usually forgoing lyric writing and instead concentrating on the musical elements of songwriting.<ref name="Total Guitar"/> He mainly co-writes songs with another member of Iron Maiden, "Charlotte the Harlot" (from 1980's ''[[Iron Maiden (album)|Iron Maiden]]'') being to date the only composition for which he is credited as sole writer.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=144}}

Publications have made note of his [[Harmonization|harmonized]] guitar [[Riff|riffs]] and [[Guitar solo|solos]] with bandmate [[Adrian Smith (musician)|Adrian Smith]], which have become stapes of Iron Maiden's sound, and heavy metal music in general. Murray said, "There was this chemistry between me and Adrian that went beyond the music." The guitar interplay between the two has been compared to guitarists [[Glenn Tipton]] and [[K. K. Downing|K.K. Downing]] of [[Judas Priest]]. According to Jeff Kitts of [[Guitar World]], "the duo of Murray and Smith was considered the top British metal guitar tandem of the Eighties. First pairing off for 1981’s blistering ''[[Killers (Iron Maiden album)|Killers]]'', Murray and Smith quickly proved that they could play harmony leads and interlocking riffs as if linked by one brain, and do it with a speed and aggression that put most [[Punk rock|punk]] bands of the era to shame."<ref>{{Cite web |last2=Kitts |first2=Jeff |author1=Guitar World Staff |date=2020-12-09 |title=40 guitarists who changed our world since 1980 |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/40-guitarists-who-changed-our-world-since-1980/3 |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=Guitar World |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Singer |first=Quentin Thane |title=The 38 Greatest Heavy Metal Bands |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/entertainment/article/metal-bands/ |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

Dave has a wife named Tamar, and a daughter named Tasha.

Murray played with the [[jazz]] ensemble on Iron Maiden drummer [[Nicko McBrain]]'s instructional video ''Rhythms of the Beast''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nicko McBrain: ''Rhythms of the Beast'' |url=http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/movies/title/0,,2190041,00.html |publisher=[[Artistdirect]] |access-date=21 November 2012 |archive-date=27 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527230059/http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/movies/title/0,,2190041,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Albums with Iron Maiden ==

==Equipment==

* ''[[Iron Maiden (album)|Iron Maiden]]'' ([[1980]])

Murray used and endorsed [[Marshall Amplification|Marshall]] amplifiers almost exclusively,<ref>{{cite web |title=Products Used by Dave Murray |url=http://www.tcelectronic.com/dave-murray/ |website=[[TC Electronic]] |access-date=5 August 2016 |archive-date=7 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807221655/http://www.tcelectronic.com/dave-murray/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> other than on the ''[[Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden album)|Somewhere in Time]]'' (1986) and ''[[Seventh Son of a Seventh Son]]'' (1988) albums and their respective tours, when he instead used [[Gallien-Krueger]] amps, and Victory Amps during the recordings of ''[[The Book of Souls]]'', but again Marshalls on tour (his rack system featuring JMP1 pre-amp fed into the FX loop of Marshall DSL heads, using the DSL heads as power amps).<ref>{{cite web |last=Smolden |first=Michael |title=Steve Harris and Dave Murray of Iron Maiden Open Up in 1988 Guitar World Interview |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/steve-harris-and-dave-murray-iron-maiden-open-1988-guitar-world-interview |website=[[Guitar World]] |date=21 September 2011}}</ref> As of 2023, during Maiden's Future Past World Tour, it was revealed Murray had begun using the Fractal Axe-FX III units,<ref name="guitarworld.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.guitarworld.com/news/iron-maiden-dave-murray-axe-fx | title=Iron Maiden's Dave Murray is now using Fractal's Axe-Fx | date=26 June 2023 }}</ref> replacing the long-serving Marshall JMP-1 preamps.

* ''[[Killers (album)|Killers]]'' ([[1981]])

* ''[[The Number of the Beast (album)|The Number of the Beast]]'' ([[1982]])

* ''[[Piece of Mind (Iron Maiden)|Piece of Mind]]'' ([[1983]])

* ''[[Powerslave (album)|Powerslave]]'' ([[1984]])

* ''[[Live After Death]]'' ([[1985]])

* ''[[Somewhere in Time (album)|Somewhere in Time]]'' ([[1986]])

* ''[[Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (album)|Seventh Son of a Seventh Son]]'' ([[1988]])

* ''[[No Prayer for the Dying (album)|No Prayer for the Dying]]'' ([[1990]])

* ''[[Fear of the Dark (album)|Fear of the Dark]]'' ([[1992]])

* ''[[A Real Live One]]'' ([[1993]])

* ''[[A Real Dead One]]'' ([[1993]])

* ''[[Live at Donington]]'' ([[1993]])

* ''[[The X Factor (album)|The X Factor]]'' ([[1995]])

* ''[[Virtual XI (album)|Virtual XI]]'' ([[1998]])

* ''[[Brave New World (album)|Brave New World]]'' ([[2000]])

* ''[[Rock in Rio (album)|Rock in Rio]]'' ([[2002]])

* ''[[Dance of Death (album)|Dance of Death]]'' ([[2003]])

* ''[[Death on the Road]]'' ([[2005]])

* ''[[A Matter of Life and Death (album)|A Matter of Life and Death]]'' ([[2006]])

===Guest appearancesGuitars===

He has used [[Fender Stratocaster]] guitars almost exclusively. His black 1957/63 (the body is from a '63; the neck from a '57) Stratocaster, previously owned by late [[Free (band)|Free]] guitarist [[Paul Kossoff]], was used approximately between 1978 and 1988.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/iron-maiden-maiden-voyage?page=0%252C2,1 |title=Iron Maiden: Maiden Voyage (page 2) |access-date=10 October 2011 |date=3 July 2011 |work=[[Guitar World]] |last=Bienstock |first=Richard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406114222/http://www.guitarworld.com/iron-maiden-maiden-voyage?page=0%2C2,1 |archive-date=6 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="DM sig"/> It was used as a template by Fender to manufacture an Artist Signature model in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fender.com/en-GB/series/artist/dave-murray-stratocaster/ |title=Dave Murray Stratocaster® |access-date=6 October 2011 |publisher=[[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128155534/http://www.fender.com/en-GB/series/artist/dave-murray-stratocaster/ |archive-date=28 January 2013}}</ref> The original is now stored safely in a bank vault in London.<ref name="Dave Murray interview">{{cite web |title=Iron Maiden Dave Murray's 1957 Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar |url=http://gear-vault.com/iron-maiden-dave-murray%E2%80%99s-1957-fender-stratocaster-electric-guitar/ |publisher=Gear Vault |access-date=6 March 2012 |date=10 September 2009}}</ref> "I bought it in 1976," he said. "I saw it advertised in ''[[Melody Maker]]''… I got the serial number to check it was [Kossoff's] guitar. It cost quite a bit of money but I didn't care. I just sold everything I had so I could get it, and I used it from then on. It just felt like I was holding a piece of magic because he had used this guitar."<ref>"All right then" (no credited author); ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' #216, November 2015, p21</ref><ref name="Artistmagazine"/>

*''[[Hear 'n Aid]]'' ([[1985]]) – "Stars"

*''[[Psycho Motel]]'' ([[1997]]) – "With You Again"

In addition to Fender guitars, Murray has occasionally performed with various [[Dean Guitars|Dean]],<ref>{{cite web |title=The Dean Artists - Dave Murray of Iron Maiden |url=http://www.deanguitars.com/dave_murray.php |publisher=[[Dean Guitars]] |access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref> [[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson]],<ref name=MR/> [[Ibanez]],<ref name="Artistmagazine">{{cite journal |title=Interview with Bruce Dickinson, Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Steve Harris |journal=Artist Magazine |date=August 1983 |first=Kevin |last=Thompson |quote=I bought it from an ad in the papers. [Other than that, I have] three Fender Stratocasters and an Ibanez Destroyer I picked up on tour.}}</ref> [[ESP Guitars|ESP]] and [[Jackson Guitars|Jackson]] electric models.<ref name="mh30"/> During the [[Dance of Death World Tour]] 2003–4, Murray used a [[Gibson Hummingbird]] acoustic guitar for live performances of the song "Journeyman".<ref name="mh30">{{cite journal |title=Hardware |journal=Metal Hammer Presents: Iron Maiden 30 Years of Metal Mayhem |year=2005 |first=Michael |last=Heatley |page=68 |author-link=Michael Heatley}}</ref>

==Audio==

* '''"Judas Be My Guide"''' {{Audio|Davemurray.ogg|Listen}} &ndash; From the band's ninth studio album ''[[Fear of the Dark (album)|Fear of the Dark]]''.

From 2003, his main guitar was a 2-tone sunburst Fender Californian Series Stratocaster with 3 [[Seymour Duncan]] Hot Rails pick-ups, however he changed the middle position pick-up to a Seymour Duncan JB Jr. pick-up during the Maiden England tour in 2012-13. It also features a chrome [[Floyd Rose]] tremolo system.<ref name=MR>{{cite web |last1=Laing |first1=Rob |title=Iron Maiden guitarist Dave Murray's guitars |url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/in-pictures-iron-maiden-guitarist-dave-murrays-guitars-631157 |website=[[MusicRadar]] |access-date=5 August 2016 |date=3 December 2015}}</ref> In 2015, Seymour Duncan announced the release of the official Dave Murray Loaded Pickguard set with demonstrator Danny Young performing the official video on the Seymour Duncan YouTube channel.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/seymour-duncan-introduces-dave-murray-loaded-pickguard-stratocasters- |title=Seymour Duncan Introduces Dave Murray Loaded Pickguard for Stratocasters — Video |work=Guitar World |access-date=2018-03-25 |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{citation |last=Seymour Duncan |title=Dave Murray Pickguard |date=2015-07-20 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5DwZperN7I |access-date=2018-03-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/dave-murray-loaded-pickguard |title=Dave Murray Loaded Pickguard |work=Seymour Duncan |access-date=2018-03-25 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.seymourduncan.com/artist/daniel-young|title=Daniel Young |work=Seymour Duncan |access-date=2018-03-25 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/22905-seymour-duncan-releases-the-dave-murray-loaded-pickguard |title=Seymour Duncan Releases the Dave Murray Loaded Pickguard |access-date=2018-03-25 |language=en}}</ref> On stage, Murray has also performed with a cream USA Floyd Rose Standard Stratocaster (with a 22-fret maple neck and same electronics and hardware as the sunburst model),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=18&#gallery |title=Dave Murray's Fender American Standard Strat (Cream) |access-date=29 September 2011 |date=November 2010 |work=[[Premier Guitar]] |archive-date=30 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630094149/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=18&#gallery |url-status=dead }}</ref> a custom Stratocaster based on his aforementioned Paul Kossoff Fender,<ref name=MR/> and a [[Gibson Flying V]].<ref name=MR/>

{{IronMaiden}}

In 2010, he began using a [[Gibson Les Paul]] Traditional model, featuring Seymour Duncan '59 and JB pickups in the neck and bridge positions respectively,<ref name="MR" /> which his guitar technician, Colin Price, states was originally brought in for Adrian Smith to try,<ref name="rigrundown" /> but was then bought by Murray for practising on tour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=20&#gallery |title=Dave Murray's Gibson Les Paul |access-date=29 September 2011 |date=November 2010 |work=[[Premier Guitar]] |archive-date=30 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630070701/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=20&#gallery |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition to this Les Paul, he primarily used a 2002 Les Paul Classic with a Seymour Duncan '59 and JB neck and bridge pickups for the recording of ''[[The Book of Souls]]'' (2015), as well as a sunburst Gibson Les Paul Axccess with the same pickup configuration and a Floyd Rose tremolo.<ref name="MR" />

[[Category:1956 births|Murray, Dave]]

[[Category:Living people|Murray, Dave]]

In 2015, Fender announced a second Artist Signature model, based on his California Series Stratocaster. It retains all the specifications of his original guitar, has a compound radius fretboard and is made entirely in their Ensenada plant in Mexico.<ref>{{cite web |last=Parker |first=Matt |url=http://www.musicradar.com/us/news/guitars/namm-2015-fender-unveils-dave-murray-california-series-strat-614425 |title=NAMM 2015: Fender unveils Dave Murray California Series Strat |publisher=MusicRadar |access-date=6 September 2015 |archive-date=20 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620131746/http://www.musicradar.com/us/news/guitars/namm-2015-fender-unveils-dave-murray-california-series-strat-614425 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Category:English guitarists|Murray, Dave]]

[[Category:Iron Maiden|Murray, Dave]]

As of 2023, Murray uses as his main guitar a brand new Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster, built by Fender Master Builder Andy Hicks which features an Olympic White finish, walnut neck, rosewood fretboard, Stainless Steel frets and with the same hardware - Floyd Rose tremolo, Dave Murray Seymour Duncan Loaded Pickguard with Hot Rails in the bridge and neck positions and a JB Jr. in the middle. For the 2024 leg of the Future past tour, the guitar has been upgraded with FU Tone parts, (Floyd Rose saddles, locking nut pads, noiseless springs). His California Series strat which is now his main back-up has also had the same upgrades as well as having had a re-fret with stainless steel frets

[[Category:Heavy metal guitarists|Murray, Dave]]

[[Category:People from London|Murray, Dave]]

===Guitar specifications===

[[Category:People of Irish descent in Great Britain|Murray, Dave]]

* [[Ernie Ball]] Strings – custom gauge .009, .011, .014, .024, .032, .042

* Seymour Duncan Hot Rails single coil sized humbucking pick-ups with dual blade coils<ref name="blackstrat1">{{cite web |url=http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=16&#gallery |title=Dave Murray's Fender American Standard Strat |access-date=29 September 2011 |date=November 2010 |work=[[Premier Guitar]] |archive-date=30 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630145450/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=16&#gallery |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* "Original" Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo Systems<ref name="blackstrat1"/>

* His Artist Signature model features a soft V-shaped maple neck with satin back and sports a humbucker/single-coil/humbucker (HSH) configuration – [[DiMarzio]] Super Distortion DP100 (bridge), American Vintage '57/'62 (middle), DiMarzio PAF DP-103 (neck) – with 3-way switching and American Vintage hardware.<ref name="Total Guitar">{{cite journal |title=Iron Maiden: Dave Murray |journal=[[Total Guitar]] |date=December 2010 |first=Joel |last=McIver |issue=208 |pages=32–34}}</ref><ref name="DM sig">{{cite web |url=http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=14&#gallery |title=Dave Murray Signature Fender Strat |access-date=29 September 2011 |date=November 2010 |work=[[Premier Guitar]] |archive-date=30 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630052143/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=14&#gallery |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Japanese-made "Tribute" version of the guitar ''(HST-57DM)'' features an "Original" [[Floyd Rose]] double-locking tremolo system, dual DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 humbucking pick-ups (bridge/neck), a Fender Texas Special single-coil pick-up in the middle position, a 5-way pick-up selector and an oval neck profile<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/guitars/electric/6-string-solid-body/dave-murray-stratocaster-209612 |title=Dave Murray Stratocaster review |access-date=6 October 2011 |publisher=[[MusicRadar]] |last=Bradley |first=Simon |date=24 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602161252/http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/guitars/electric/6-string-solid-body/dave-murray-stratocaster-209612 |archive-date=2 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* The original black '57 Stratocaster has similar features to his Artist Series Model<ref name="DM sig"/>

===Amplifiers===

* 2 x Marshall 1960B Straight Cabinet / 4x12 300-Watt Loaded with Celestion 12" G12T 75 Watt Speakers<ref name="guitargeek">Cooper, Adam (23 August 2003). [http://www.guitargeek.com/dave-murray-iron-maiden-2003-guitar-rig-and-gear-setup-diagram/ "Dave Murray's 2003 Iron Maiden Guitar Rig"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527225956/http://www.guitargeek.com/dave-murray-iron-maiden-2003-guitar-rig-and-gear-setup-diagram/ |date=27 May 2014 }}. GuitarGeek.com.</ref>

* 3 x Marshall JCM 2000 DSL tube heads (rack gear plugs into power amp section via FX loop)<ref name="rigrundown"/><ref name="DM rack">{{cite web |url=http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=23&#gallery |title=Dave Murray's Rack |access-date=29 September 2011 |date=November 2010 |work=[[Premier Guitar]] |archive-date=30 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630090350/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=23&#gallery |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* Marshall 9200 Rack Power Amp (as backup for main heads)<ref name="DM rack"/>

* Victory V100 head with Victory V412 Cabinet (as of 2014)<ref name=Victory>{{cite web |title=V100 played by Dave Murray on Iron Maiden's ''The Book of Souls'' |url=http://www.victoryamps.com/whats-new/v100-played-by-dave-murray-on-iron-maidens-the-book-of-souls |website=VictoryAmps.com |access-date=28 March 2016 |date=7 September 2015 |archive-date=10 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410165557/http://www.victoryamps.com/whats-new/v100-played-by-dave-murray-on-iron-maidens-the-book-of-souls |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* [[Fender Amplifiers|Fender]] Super-Sonic 100-watt 2x12 combo<ref name=OOTA/>

===Units and tuners===

* '''[[Korg]]''' DTR-1 Digital Tuner<ref name="DM rack"/>

* '''[[Dunlop Manufacturing|Dunlop]]''' DCR-1SR Rack [[Dunlop Cry Baby|Cry Baby Wah]]<ref name="DM rack"/>

* '''Dunlop''' JD-4S Rotovibe<ref name=OOTA>{{cite web |last1=Bosso |first1=Joe |title=Iron Maiden: Out of Thin Air |url=http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/23207-iron-maiden-out-of-thin-air?page=2 |website=[[Premier Guitar]] |access-date=5 August 2016 |date=19 October 2015}}</ref>

* Custom-Built '''[[Pete Cornish]]''' Routing and Power Supply Units<ref name="rigrundown"/><ref name="DM rack"/>

* '''Marshall''' JMP-1 Valve Midi Preamp<ref name="rigrundown"/><ref name="DM rack"/>

* '''Mike Hill''' Custom [[Uni-Vibe]]/Tube Screamer Rack Effect Unit<ref name="rigrundown"/>

* '''Rocktron''' All-Access Foot Controller<ref name="Murray MIDI">{{cite web |url=http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=22&#gallery |title=Dave Murray's MIDI |access-date=29 September 2011 |date=November 2010 |work=[[Premier Guitar]] |archive-date=30 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630134045/http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2010/Nov/GALLERY_Iron_Maidens_2010_Touring_Gear.aspx?Page=22&#gallery |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* '''[[TC Electronic]]''' GForce Effect Unit<ref name="rigrundown">{{cite web |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/iron-maiden-dave-murray-s-guitar-rig-rundown/ |title=Iron Maiden: Dave Murray's Guitar Rig Rundown |access-date=16 November 2011 |date=16 November 2011 |publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref><ref name="DM rack"/>

* '''[[Fulltone]]''' Deja'Vibe<ref name="Murray MIDI"/>

* '''Fulltone''' Clyde Standard Wah Pedal<ref name="Murray MIDI"/>

* '''[[MXR]]''' Uni-Vibe Chorus<ref name=OOTA/>

* '''MXR''' Distortion +<ref name=OOTA/>

* '''[[TC Electronic]]''' Flashback Delay<ref name=OOTA/>

* '''TC Electronic''' Corona Chorus<ref name=OOTA/>

* '''Voodoo Amplification''' Platinum Mod to Marshall JMP-1 Preamp

* '''Wampler''' Clarksdale Delta Overdrive<ref name=OOTA/>

* '''Phil Hilborne''' Fat Treble Booster<ref name=OOTA/>

* '''Fractal''' Axe-FX III Turbo<ref name="guitarworld.com"/>

== Legacy and influence ==

According to Quentin Thane Singer of ''[[Forbes]]'', "Dave Murray’s and Adrian Smith’s dueling guitar harmonies, galloping riffs and epic guitar solos have influenced nearly every significant band to come out of the metal genre since the mid ‘80s. As the primary guitarists for Iron Maiden, Murray and Smith helped to popularize anthemic lead guitar playing, which has consequently become a staple in metal music for the last 40-plus years."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singer |first=Quentin Thane |title=The 38 Greatest Heavy Metal Bands |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/entertainment/article/metal-bands/ |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

Along with [[Adrian Smith (musician)|Adrian Smith]], Murray appears at no. 9 on [[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson's]] list of the "Top 10 Metal Guitarists of All Time".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Erickson |first1=Anne |date=30 September 2015 |title=Top 10 Metal Guitarists of All Time |url=http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/shred-stars-0803-2011.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516100305/http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/shred-stars-0803-2011.aspx |archive-date=16 May 2016 |access-date=26 December 2015 |website=[[Gibson Guitar Corporation|Gibson.com]]}}</ref> He is also ranked number 11 on ''[[Guitar World]]''{{'}}s list of the 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time, along with Adrian Smith,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guitar-world-s-100-greatest-heavy-metal-guitarists-of-all-time/|title=GUITAR WORLD's 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists Of All Time|lang=en|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|date=2004-01-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090251/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/guitar-world-s-100-greatest-heavy-metal-guitarists-of-all-time/|archive-date=2019-03-27|access-date=2024-07-15|url-status=live}}</ref> and number 4, along with Smith and [[Janick Gers]] (also Iron Maiden guitarist), on ''[[Metal Hammer]]''{{'}}s list of the greatest metal guitarists of all time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/20-greatest-metal-guitarists-of-all-time/2|title=Lords of the riff: The greatest metal guitarists of all time|lang=en|first=Dom|last=Lawson|website=louder|date=2019-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518125942/https://www.loudersound.com/features/20-greatest-metal-guitarists-of-all-time/2|archive-date=2024-05-18|access-date=2024-07-15|url-status=live|last2=Wall|first2=Mick|author3=Metal Hammer}}</ref> He is also ranked number 83, along with Smith, on Rolling Stone's list of the 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-guitarists-1234814010/adrian-smith-and-dave-murray-iron-maiden-1234814470/|title=The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time|lang=en-US|website=Rolling Stone|date=2023-10-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715025007/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-guitarists-1234814010/adrian-smith-and-dave-murray-iron-maiden-1234814470/|archive-date=2024-07-15|access-date=2024-07-15|url-status=live}}</ref> Murray is also ranked number 52 on ''[[Loudwire]]''{{'}}s list of the "75 Best Hard Rock/Metal Guitarists of All Time".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/top-hard-rock-metal-guitarists-of-all-time/|title=The 75 Best Hard Rock + Metal Guitarists of All Time|lang=en|author=Loudwire Staff|website=Loudwire|date=2023-06-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922072712/https://loudwire.com/top-hard-rock-metal-guitarists-of-all-time/|archive-date=2020-09-22|access-date=2024-07-15|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==

In his spare time, Murray (along with bandmate [[Nicko McBrain]]) is an avid golfer, as seen in the ''[[Rock in Rio (album)|Rock in Rio]]'' DVD and ''[[Iron Maiden: Flight 666]]''; he revealed in 2002 that he tries to play "a couple of rounds in each week" and his [[Handicap (golf)|handicap]] "can be anywhere from 15 to 24."<ref name="Kerrang Legends">{{cite journal |title=Dave Murray |journal=Kerrang! Legends |year=2002 |first=Paul |last=Brannigan |issue=2 |page=16}}</ref> Murray and his wife Tamar have one daughter.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=35}} Murray resides on the island of [[Maui]], Hawaii in the US.{{sfn|Wall|2004|p=35}}

==Discography==

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-break}}

;Iron Maiden

{{Main article|Iron Maiden discography}}

*''[[Iron Maiden (album)|Iron Maiden]]'' (1980)

*''[[Killers (Iron Maiden album)|Killers]]'' (1981)

*''[[The Number of the Beast (album)|The Number of the Beast]]'' (1982)

*''[[Piece of Mind]]'' (1983)

*''[[Powerslave]]'' (1984)

*''[[Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden album)|Somewhere in Time]]'' (1986)

*''[[Seventh Son of a Seventh Son]]'' (1988)

*''[[No Prayer for the Dying]]'' (1990)

*''[[Fear of the Dark (Iron Maiden album)|Fear of the Dark]]'' (1992)

*''[[The X Factor (album)|The X Factor]]'' (1995)

*''[[Virtual XI]]'' (1998)

*''[[Brave New World (Iron Maiden album)|Brave New World]]'' (2000)

*''[[Dance of Death (album)|Dance of Death]]'' (2003)

*''[[A Matter of Life and Death (album)|A Matter of Life and Death]]'' (2006)

*''[[The Final Frontier]]'' (2010)

*''[[The Book of Souls]]'' (2015)

*''[[Senjutsu (album)|Senjutsu]]'' (2021)

{{Col-break}}

;Guest appearances

*[[Hear 'n Aid]] – "Stars" (1985)

*[[Nicko McBrain]] – ''Rhythms of the Beast'' (video, 1991)

*[[Psycho Motel]] – "With You Again", ''[[Welcome to the World]]'' (1997)

{{Col-break}}{{col-end}}

==References==

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Literature==

{{refbegin}}

* {{Cite book

|last = Wall

|first = Mick

|author-link=Mick Wall

|title = Iron Maiden: Run to the Hills, the Authorised Biography

|edition = third

|publisher = Sanctuary Publishing

|year = 2004

|isbn = 1-86074-542-3

}}

{{refend}}

==External links==

{{wikiquote}}

{{Commons category|Dave Murray}}

* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000591169|title=Dave Murray}}

* {{IMDb name|1201359|Dave Murray}}

{{IronMaiden}}

{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:20th-century English guitarists]]

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[[Category:English heavy metal guitarists]]

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[[Category:Iron Maiden members]]

[[no:Dave Murray]]

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[[pt:Dave Murray]]

[[Category:English rock guitarists]]

[[sr:Дејв Мари]]

[[Category:English lead guitarists]]

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