Faulkner Was Once In Line To Play For Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden Bassist & Founding Member Steve Harris Once Had Judas Priest Guitarist Richie Faulkner “On-Deck” to Possibly “Slide Into” Maiden’s “Triple-Ax-Attack”.

Those lucky enough to have seen Judas Priest with Faulkner on guitar know that the man can truly rip! The 42-year-old is sensational, tearing off dazzling solos with a surgical precision and delivering emphatic leads with the stage presence that completes the package.

He landed the gig of a lifetime in replacing K.K. Downing following the departure of the longtime Judas Priest guitarist, but Richie was also the first guy in mind if the British Lion, Metal Titan Steve Harris ever needed a new guitarist.

Speaking with Richie Faulkner, he described his relationship with Steve Harris. Having played in the band Dirty Deeds — who have since shortened their name to just Deeds — Faulkner had been a member of the U.K scene for some time and was on Steve Harris’ radar.

When asked if he was placed on the “Metaphorical Bench” for Iron Maiden, Faulkner laughingly responded, “Yeah, you never know! I worked with Steve and his daughter [Lauren Harris], and he was one of the first blokes that I told when I got the Judas Priest gig.”

“I’ve been approached by another band, and Steve was over the moon when I told him it was The Metal Gods.” Receiving high praise from Harris, Faulkner said, “He’s one of these guys who’s really supportive”.

“I would have had you in my band. If anything would have happened to any of my other guys, you were the man that was going to do it.” – Steve Harris

Richie Faulkner had spent half a decade playing in Steve’s namesake’s band and even toured in support of Iron Maiden in 2008 when Lauren Harris was the opening act on the Somewhere Back in Time world tour.

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