Barry Clayton, 'The Voice of Iron Maiden', Dies at 80 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 12-29-2011, 07:11 PM

Barry Clayton, Voice Of Iron Maiden’s ‘The Number Of The Beast,’ Passes Away
By Matt Wardlaw
12/29/11

Barry Clayton, the man behind the sinister spoken intro of Iron Maiden’s legendary ‘The Number of the Beast’ has passed away at the age of 80. The cause of death is not known at this time.

Clayton’s intro would quickly become etched in the minds of heavy metal fans everywhere who heard a new and different kind of evil thanks to the unforgettable timbre of his spoken words:

"Woe to You Oh Earth and Sea
For the Devil sends the beast with wrath
Because he knows the time is short
Let him who have understanding
Reckon the number of the beast
For it is a human number
Its number is six hundred and sixty six."

His deep bass voice was also heard in movie trailers and in his home country of Islington (in Greater London, England) where he lived for 40 years, he was known as a trailblazing pioneer of black television and radio programming.

Clayton produced the ‘Black Londoners,’ the first black daily radio program from the time of its debut in 1974 until 1988. Later, he narrated the children’s program ‘Count Duckula.’

His work on ‘The Number of the Beast’ certainly leaves an indelible mark with Iron Maiden fans and will certainly continue to be heard by new ears as future generations of music fans discover Maiden’s classic body of work.

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/barry...t-passes-away/

ABlairican Pie · 12-30-2011, 06:06 PM

Uhh, wait a minute--I thought it was actor Patrick McGoohan who did the voice behind the spoken monologue intro to "Number Of the Beast"??

Unless--McGoohan was only asked to the voice into to "The Prisoner", which makes sense, as he appeared on the series. He died last year, as I recall. Hmmm. And I thought I was the guy who knew all about the Maiden.

I thought he did both. I'll have to look into that.

JamesG · 12-30-2011, 06:13 PM

^ No, it was this guy.

Maiden originally wanted Vincent Price to do it but the band didn't want to pay the high price he wanted for it.

ABlairican Pie · 01-03-2012, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

^ No, it was this guy.

Maiden originally wanted Vincent Price to do it but the band didn't want to pay the high price he wanted for it.

It makes sense, Clayton had a deeper voice than McGoohan, when you compare the two intros.

I could see Iron Maiden being able to afford Vincent Price in later years when they became huge. In 1982, they hadn't made the real money yet. Interesting how Michael Jackson was able to get Price before he became a superstar on 'Thriller'. He wasn't exactly the star figure after the Jackson 5 until that album. But he was probably well-connected.

12-29-2011, 07:11 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,034	Barry Clayton, 'The Voice of Iron Maiden', Dies at 80 Barry Clayton, Voice Of Iron Maiden’s ‘The Number Of The Beast,’ Passes Away By Matt Wardlaw 12/29/11 Barry Clayton, the man behind the sinister spoken intro of Iron Maiden’s legendary ‘The Number of the Beast’ has passed away at the age of 80. The cause of death is not known at this time. Clayton’s intro would quickly become etched in the minds of heavy metal fans everywhere who heard a new and different kind of evil thanks to the unforgettable timbre of his spoken words: "Woe to You Oh Earth and Sea For the Devil sends the beast with wrath Because he knows the time is short Let him who have understanding Reckon the number of the beast For it is a human number Its number is six hundred and sixty six." His deep bass voice was also heard in movie trailers and in his home country of Islington (in Greater London, England) where he lived for 40 years, he was known as a trailblazing pioneer of black television and radio programming. Clayton produced the ‘Black Londoners,’ the first black daily radio program from the time of its debut in 1974 until 1988. Later, he narrated the children’s program ‘Count Duckula.’ His work on ‘The Number of the Beast’ certainly leaves an indelible mark with Iron Maiden fans and will certainly continue to be heard by new ears as future generations of music fans discover Maiden’s classic body of work. http://ultimateclassicrock.com/barry...t-passes-away/

12-30-2011, 06:06 PM	#2
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	HUH???!!! Uhh, wait a minute--I thought it was actor Patrick McGoohan who did the voice behind the spoken monologue intro to "Number Of the Beast"?? Unless--McGoohan was only asked to the voice into to "The Prisoner", which makes sense, as he appeared on the series. He died last year, as I recall. Hmmm. And I thought I was the guy who knew all about the Maiden. I thought he did both. I'll have to look into that.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

12-30-2011, 06:13 PM	#3
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,034	^ No, it was this guy. Maiden originally wanted Vincent Price to do it but the band didn't want to pay the high price he wanted for it.