What is Adrian Smith's net worth?
Adrian Smith is an English guitarist who has a net worth of $40 million. Adrian Smith is best known for being a member of the band Iron Maiden.
Adrian Frederick Smith was born on February 27, 1957, in Hackney, East London. Growing up in London's East End, he began his musical journey at age 15 when he formed his first band, Evil Ways, with his friend Dave Murray, who would later become his bandmate in Iron Maiden. Smith's early influences included bands like Thin Lizzy, UFO, and Deep Purple, which helped shape his distinctive melodic guitar style.
Before joining Iron Maiden, Smith played in several local bands, most notably Urchin, which he formed in the mid-1970s. His path to Iron Maiden began when Dave Murray, who had joined the band in 1976, recommended Smith as a replacement for Dennis Stratton in 1980. Smith officially joined Iron Maiden in late 1980, making his debut on their 1981 album "Killers."
Smith's arrival marked the beginning of what many fans consider Iron Maiden's golden era. His melodic sensibilities and songwriting abilities perfectly complemented Dave Murray's style, creating the dual-guitar sound that became one of Iron Maiden's trademarks. Smith contributed significantly to the band's songwriting, penning or co-writing classics like "2 Minutes to Midnight," "Wasted Years," and "The Evil That Men Do."
Throughout the 1980s, Smith's role in Iron Maiden grew beyond just playing guitar. He took on more vocal duties, providing backing vocals and even singing lead on some B-sides. His songwriting became increasingly important to the band's sound, particularly on albums like "Somewhere in Time" (1986) and "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" (1988).
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
In 1990, feeling creatively restricted and frustrated with the band's direction, Smith left Iron Maiden during the pre-production of the "No Prayer for the Dying" album. During his time away from the band, he formed several projects, including ASAP (Adrian Smith and Project) and Psycho Motel. He also collaborated with Bruce Dickinson on his solo albums, particularly "Accident of Birth" (1997) and "The Chemical Wedding" (1998).
A crucial turning point came in 1999 when both Smith and Bruce Dickinson returned to Iron Maiden. Rather than replacing Janick Gers, who had taken Smith's place, the band decided to continue with three guitarists, creating an even more expansive sound. This unique three-guitar lineup has remained intact since then, with Smith continuing to make vital contributions to the band's music.
Beyond Iron Maiden, Smith is known for his technical proficiency and signature guitar sound, typically achieved through his Jackson and Fender guitars. He's particularly associated with his Jackson signature model, which he helped design. His playing style combines blues-based lead work with aggressive rhythm playing, and he's known for his emotional, melodic solos.
Smith has also pursued projects outside of Iron Maiden, including his collaboration with Richie Kotzen in the Smith/Kotzen project, releasing their self-titled debut album in 2021. He's authored an autobiography, "Monsters of River and Rock," which combines his love of music with his passion for fishing.
Throughout his career, Adrian Smith has remained one of heavy metal's most respected guitarists, known for his melodic sensibilities and songwriting abilities. His return to Iron Maiden helped usher in a new era for the band, contributing to successful albums like "Brave New World" (2000), "Dance of Death" (2003), and "Senjutsu" (2021). His influence on metal guitar playing and his contributions to Iron Maiden's sound have secured his place as one of the genre's most important figures.
