The Bolton Iron Maiden were formed in 1970 under the name ‘Iron Maiden’ after they reportedly coined the now-iconic two words on the first floor of a building in Bradshaw when rehearsing.

Tragically, in 1976, their lead guitarist Ian Boulton-Smith, known as Beak, died from testicular cancer, and the band dissolved.

Lead vocalist, Paul O’Neill, moved down to Cambridgeshire after the band’s dissolution.

(Image: Paul O’Neill)

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Now, at age 73, he was approached by a record company that wished to produce a seven-track vinyl edition of “Maiden Flight”, a 2006 album by the Bolton band.

(Image: NQ)

The album is composed of four studio recordings, plus cassette tapes from live performances during the 1970s.

It was made in 2006 to mark 30 years since Beak died and had the support of worldwide heavy metal titans Iron Maiden, who gave them permission to be called “The Bolton Iron Maiden”, donating memorabilia to be auctioned for charity.

“It felt crazy at 73 years old signing a record deal,” lead singer Paul said.

“I just laughed; when I was a young man in the 70s, you’d hear stories about artists being bossed around by record companies, and here I am in my 70s getting told what to do, it’s just great.”

All profits and royalties from the original 2006 album and the vinyl re-release go towards Cancer Research and Macmillan Cancer Care, in memory of Beak, and other people associated with the band who died from cancer.

Paul recounted how, after Iron Maiden reached worldwide fame with hits like ‘Run to the Hills’ and ‘The Trooper’, his son would tell school friends that his dad was “a member of Iron Maiden”.

“After this vinyl has been released, my son is now contacting all of his school friends and saying ‘see, I told you so’, even if it’s The Bolton one,” Paul explained.

“Maiden Flight” vinyl edition is selling well, according to the 73-year-old, who along with Derek Austin, are the surviving members from the album’s cover photo.

Despite not playing with his old Bolton band anymore, Paul is still heavily involved in music, releasing his new single “Astronaut” this week under the name Colin Medlock.