Something borrowed, something… Maiden? Metal legends crash a wedding in Poland

Iron Maiden‘s fifth studio album, “Powerslave,” which was released on September 3, 1984, would come to characterize a period in the band’s history. It was the most audacious thing Iron Maiden had ever produced, and it prepared the audience for the even more spectacular World Slavery tour. On August 9, 1984, over a month before “Powerslave” was released, the tour got underway. Poland, which was still firmly behind the Iron Curtain, was an unexpected starting place. Iron Maiden was the first significant metal band to break over this barrier, although certain Western rock acts, such as Budgie from the 1970s, had already made inroads into Eastern Europe. They seized the opportunity, engaging in local customs and putting on five performances in six days. According to Metal Hammer, the band’s memorable detour had them breaking into a Polish wedding. In front of 300 ecstatic guests, they performed a cover of Deep Purple‘s iconic song “Smoke On The Water” on stage. 

We’d had a few drinks beforehand and just thought, ‘Oh, why not?’ Everyone was so pissed from the wedding anyway, they didn’t seem to care. It was great fun! Steve Harris

Rod and I disappeared and didn’t come back until 6 or 7 in the morning. We had our arms around each other, shouting, ‘Smoke on the water!’, weaving backwards and forwards across the road. Nicko McBrain

The most grueling experience of my life. Bruce Dickinson

Well hey, it matters that the groom and the bride are happy, right?