Iron Maiden Settles ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’ Lawsuit
Iron Maiden has settled their nearly yearlong legal dispute over the classic 1982 track “Hallowed Be Thy Name.” The suit filed by retired band manager Barry McKay claims that Maiden’s Steve Harris and Dave Murray reproduced major parts of the British prog band Beckett’s 1974 track “Life’s Shadow” on Maiden’s The Number of the Beast song “Hallowed Be Thy Name” and Brave New World’s “The Nomad.”
Harris and Murray have paid £100 thousand (approximately $138 thousand) to Brian Quinn who has a writing credit on Beckett’s “Life’s Shadow," per a statement an Iron Maiden spokesperson gave to Blabbermouth.
A spokesperson for Iron Maiden released the following statement to Blabbermouth: "We do not believe that Brian Quinn was the one who wrote these six lines in question over 40 years ago as was claimed by Barry McKay. However "due to escalating legal fees and the potential huge costs of a court case it was pragmatic to reluctantly settle this action with McKay for £100 thousand, a fraction of what he brought the action for. A serial litigant like Mr. McKay would have foreseen this.” Initially, Harris and Murray were ordered to pay £900 thousand.
Last year, Iron Maiden’s management issued a statement, in which they acknowledged, “six lines from ‘Life’s Shadow’ were referenced in Steve’s song ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name.’” The management company added “this matter was settled some years ago by agreement with Robert Barton.” Fans can listen to the two tracks below to hear the similarities.
Iron Maiden removed “Hallowed Be Thy Name” from their set list, due to the lawsuit and now fans will be thrilled to know that the track could make it back into Maiden’s live show.
The band kicks off their 2018 Legacy of the Beast Tour on May 26 in Tallinn, Estonia. Check out all their tour dates here.
Beckett's "Life's Shadow"
Iron Maiden’s “Hallowed Be Thy Name”
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