Latest news with #RodSmallwood
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Metal on metal: Iron Maiden 50th anniversary marked with new coin
Heavy metal legends Iron Maiden has been commemorated on a UK coin to mark 50 years since its by artist Albert "Akirant" Quirantes, the coin features mascot Eddie and has hidden references to the band's career, albums and Rod Smallwood said: "Having Eddie on an official UK coin is a continuation of his incredible odyssey since we unearthed him back in 1980. We've been on stamps, beer bottles, plane tails and now legal tender."Rebecca Morgan, from The Royal Mint, in Llantrisant, south Wales, said the coin was a "perfect fusion of metal on metal", adding: "We expect it will prove to be a collector's piece that's highly sought after." The band's official website described Eddie as "a ghoulish yet undeniably handsome and mysterious figure whose tantalizing image would go on to feature on every album and countless t-shirts".He was featured in 2023 on a set of commemorative stamps issued by Royal Mail. The coin is the first official collectable product to bear the band's 50th anniversary said designing the coin had been "one of the most thrilling projects" of his career. He added: "As a lifelong fan of the band, and Derek Riggs' original creations in the '80s, I wanted to capture not just their iconic imagery, but also the rebellious spirit that has defined their music for decades. "I've hidden several references within the design that true fans will enjoy discovering, including subtle nods to classic album artwork and their most beloved songs."The coin is available in several editions, with prices from £18.50.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Heavy Duty: Royal Mint Unveils Coin Celebrating Iron Maiden's 50th Anniversary
CARDIFF, Wales, July 7, 2025 /CNW/ -- The Royal Mint has today unveiled an eye-catching commemorative coin celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden. The East London icons are joining the ranks of musical royalty in The Royal Mint's Music Legends series, which has previously celebrated the likes of Queen, Elton John, and David Bowie. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail by contemporary Iron Maiden artist Albert 'Akirant' Quirantes, the design features the band's infamous mascot Eddie in a dynamic pose that will strike a chord with fans worldwide. The design features numerous hidden 'Easter eggs' referencing the band's illustrious career, albums and world tours - giving collectors plenty to hunt for. Iron Maiden, who formed in 1975, worked closely with The Royal Mint throughout the design process, ensuring the coin captures the essence of a band whose influence has spanned five decades and counting. With a global footprint that spans the planet, Iron Maiden are one of the biggest success stories in British music, and with the international nature of coin-collecting this new commemorative piece - the first official collectable product to bear the 50th Anniversary logo is sure to delight and excite collectors and fans alike. Rod Smallwood, Maiden's Manager; "Having Eddie on an official UK coin is a continuation of his incredible odyssey since we unearthed him back in 1980. We've been on stamps, beer bottles, plane tails and now legal tender! The detail Akirant has managed to pack into the design is superb - there are little nods to virtually every chapter of our journey as a band. We're truly honoured that The Royal Mint has chosen to commemorate 50 years of Iron Maiden in such a unique way." Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, commented: "Iron Maiden have been fearless pioneers in music, flying the flag for Britain around the globe for half a century. Their creative vision, powerful performances and dedicated following have earned them a place as one of Britain's most influential bands. This coin is the perfect fusion of metal on metal and we expect it will prove to be a collector's piece that's highly sought after by both numismatists and passionate rock fans alike." Albert 'Akirant' Quirantes, designer of the Iron Maiden coin said, "Designing the Iron Maiden coin has been one of the most thrilling projects of my career. As a lifelong fan of the band, and Derek Riggs' original creations in the '80s, I wanted to capture not just their iconic imagery, but also the rebellious spirit that has defined their music for decades. I've hidden several references within the design that true fans will enjoy discovering, including subtle nods to classic album artwork and their most beloved songs. It's my tribute to a band that has influenced generations of music lovers all over the world, and I hope fans will spend time exploring every detail just as passionately as they've analysed the band's lyrics over the years." Available in several editions, from standard brilliant uncirculated to limited edition precious metal proof versions, prices for the Iron Maiden coin start from £18.50. For more information about the Iron Maiden commemorative coin and to view the full range, visit Photo: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Royal Mint View original content to download multimedia:
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Heavy metal: Iron Maiden celebrated on Royal Mint coins
Commemorative coins celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden have been launched by the Royal Mint. The heavy metal band are joining other acts in the Royal Mint's 'music legends' coins series – which has also celebrated the likes of Queen, Sir Elton John and David Bowie. Crafted by Iron Maiden artist Albert 'Akirant' Quirantes, the design of the new coins features the band's mascot Eddie in a dynamic pose. 'Hidden' references have been included in the packaging and design of the coins, spotlighting various albums and tours for eagle-eyed fans. With 17 studio albums created over the years, Iron Maiden have gathered a loyal fanbase from around the world. Rod Smallwood, Iron Maiden's manager, said: 'Having Eddie on an official UK coin is a continuation of his incredible odyssey since we unearthed him back in 1980. 'We've been on stamps, beer bottles, plane tails and now legal tender. The detail Akirant has managed to pack into the design is superb – there are little nods to virtually every chapter of our journey as a band. We're truly honoured that the Royal Mint has chosen to commemorate 50 years of Iron Maiden in such a unique way.' Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: 'Iron Maiden have been fearless pioneers in music, flying the flag for Britain around the globe for half a century. 'Their creative vision, powerful performances and dedicated following have earned them a place as one of Britain's most influential bands. 'This coin is the perfect fusion of metal on metal and we expect it will prove to be a collector's piece that's highly sought after by both numismatists and passionate rock fans alike.' Mr Quirantes said: 'Designing the Iron Maiden coin has been one of the most thrilling projects of my career. As a lifelong fan of the band, and Derek Riggs's original creations in the 80s, I wanted to capture not just their iconic imagery, but also the rebellious spirit that has defined their music for decades. 'I've hidden several references within the design that true fans will enjoy discovering, including subtle nods to classic album artwork and their most beloved songs. 'It's my tribute to a band that has influenced generations of music lovers all over the world, and I hope fans will spend time exploring every detail just as passionately as they've analysed the band's lyrics over the years.' The coins are available to buy from the Royal Mint from 9am on Tuesday, in a variety of gold, silver and brilliant uncirculated editions. Prices for the Iron Maiden coin start at £18.50 for a brilliant uncirculated £5 denomination coin and £29.50 for a colour version. The collection also includes a £200 denomination Iron Maiden gold coin, available for £6,940.
Perth Now
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Iron Maiden want fans to embrace phone-free gigs
Iron Maiden want fans to embrace phone-free gigs. The veterans rockers are back on the road again this summer with their 'Run For Your Lives' tour, which kicked off in Budapest, Hungary last week, and prior to the tour's launch their manager Rod Smallwood posted a message on Instagram urging gig-goers to put their devices away so they can fully enjoy the band's performance. Rod admits most of the audience at the first shows complied with the guidance and it gave the rockers a "boost" but there was still a "selfish few" who kept videoing. In a message posted on the band's Instagram page, he wrote: "A huge thank you to every one of you who kept your phones down, respected the band and your fellow fans, and embraced the show the way it's meant to be experienced - in the room with us. "That was a great boost for us and the band appreciated it greatly. It is so much better when they can see you unencumbered and that drives them on without that distraction. For the selfish few that didn't and just had to keep videoing ... I wish you nothing but a very sore arm!" He went on to add: "But they were few, and we do hope this support from fans, especially in the floor area in front of the sound desk, continues ... As I said before, by all means take the odd quick pic as a memento of a great night, but otherwise please keep your phone in your pocket." Before the tour kicked off, Rod posted his plea online - urging fans not to ruin gigs by taking extending videos and holding their phones up. He also explained the decision was made because the tour is celebrating 50 years since the group formed back in 1975 and the gigs should be phone-free in keeping with the spirit of the gigs. A message posted on the band's Instagram page explained: "In keeping with that time period Maiden are keen for everyone in the audience to experience this spectacular show as they would have when many of these songs were first played live back in 80's and, in common with many other artists, the band are now asking their fans not to excessively film the concerts on their phones or tablets." Ron added: "We really want fans to enjoy the shows first hand, rather than on their small screens. The amount of phone use nowadays diminishes enjoyment, particularly for the band who are on stage looking out at rows of phones, but also for other concertgoers. "We feel that the passion and involvement of our fans at shows really makes them special, but the phone obsession has now got so out of hand that it has become unnecessarily distracting especially to the band. I hope fans understand this and will be sensible in severely limiting the use of their phone cameras out of respect for the band and their fellow fans. "We would very much like you to be 'in the moment' instead and be fully actively involved to enjoy each and every one of these classic songs in the spirit and manner they were first played. This show isn't just a celebration of our music; it is, as you will see, also about our years of art, of Eddie and of the many, many worlds of Maiden we have created for you. "So please respect the band, respect the other fans and have the time of your lives as you join your Maiden family by singing your heart out, rather than getting your phone out!! It's really not a lot to ask is it?" The tour runs across Europe throughout June and July before concluding in Warsaw, Poland on August 2.
San Francisco Chronicle
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘Put your phones away': Iron Maiden makes a plea ahead of 50th anniversary tour
As Iron Maiden prepares to launch its Run for Your Lives World Tour, the legendary British heavy metal band is asking fans to step back in time — by putting away their phones. In a message posted to the band's website, longtime manager Rod Smallwood urged concertgoers to 'severely limit' mobile phone usage during the shows, telling them to live 'in the moment' and enjoy the experience in real time. 'We really want fans to enjoy the shows first hand, rather than on their small screens,' Smallwood wrote. 'The amount of phone use nowadays diminishes enjoyment, particularly for the band who are on stage looking out at rows of phones, but also for other concertgoers.' He added, 'We feel that the passion and involvement of our fans at shows really makes them special, but the phone obsession has now got so out of hand that it has become unnecessarily distracting, especially to the band. I hope fans understand this and will be sensible in severely limiting the use of their phone cameras out of respect for the band and their fellow fans.' The tour, which begins Tuesday, May 27, in Budapest and includes a headlining slot at October's Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, celebrates 50 years since bassist Steve Harris founded the band in 1975. Iron Maiden promises a special setlist that spans the group's early albums through its latest release, 'Fear of the Dark,' alongside what it calls 'their most spectacular and elaborate show ever.' Smallwood said the band hopes fans will respect the immersive performances and 'be fully actively involved to enjoy each and every one of these classic songs in the spirit and manner they were first played' more than five decades ago. 'This show isn't just a celebration of our music; it is, as you will see, also about our years of art, of Eddie and of the many, many worlds of Maiden we have created for you,' he said. 'So please respect the band, respect the other fans and have the time of your lives as you join your Maiden family by singing your heart out, rather than getting your phone out!! It's really not a lot to ask is it?' Iron Maiden joins a growing number of artists encouraging screen-free shows, including acts such as Madonna, Jack White and Tool. While the request won't be enforced with locked pouches, the band is betting on fan loyalty to preserve the spirit of the performance.
