The Bolton Iron Maiden

The Bolton Iron Maiden was a rock band from Bolton, England, active primarily between 1970 and 1976. The core trio consisted of Ian Boulton-Smith on guitar, Derek George Austin on bass and backing vocals, and Paul T.J. O'Neill handling drums, lead vocals, and keyboards. They carved out a unique presence in the early '70s rock scene with original, often science fiction-inspired songs like “Red Sky” and their signature lengthy jam track “Maiden Flight.” Though they never achieved wide commercial success or recorded extensively in studios beyond a few studio tracks, their music survives mainly through live cassette recordings cherished by fans. Their sound combined rock with hints of progressive and space-rock elements, making them something of a cult favorite among outsider rock enthusiasts.

The band unfortunately folded after the death of guitarist Ian Boulton-Smith, but their legacy was honored with a posthumous CD compilation combining studio recordings and live performances, which helped raise funds for charity in Ian’s memory. The Bolton Iron Maiden's early use of the name “Iron Maiden” predates the more famous heavy metal band formed later, and they received support from the latter’s members and management for their charity efforts. Paul O’Neill has continued to share the group’s story and music, keeping the spirit of this influential local band alive with recent releases like *Maiden Flight* and *Boulton Flies Again*.

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