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Derek Riggs (born February 13, 1958 in Portsmouth, England) is a contemporary British artist best known for creating the heavy metal band Iron Maiden's mascot, Eddie, and for designing many of their album and single covers. He is also known for working with Gamma Ray and with the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens.
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Career
Riggs admitted to Metal Hammer magazine that he was self-taught in his art. He also stated that he had attended art school, but that he was expelled, as they "didn't know much about illustration anyway". Describing art schools in general, Riggs told Metal Hammer that they are "geared towards churning out people to fit into artistic pigeonholes". Riggs' most famous achievement is his work with Iron Maiden and his creation of Eddie, the band's mascot and subject of their album and single covers. Eddie was based on a character called Electric Matthew who had featured in a painting Riggs had designed in symbolization of the rebellious punk movement of the early 1980s in the United Kingdom. Iron Maiden's management came across the painting and realised it could be adapted for their own use. Asking for a new version with some added hair on the figure, they acquired their first cover for the debut Iron Maiden album, released in 1980. Riggs went on to work with Iron Maiden throughout the 1980s and into the 90s, creating many of their most famous album covers; his final artwork for Iron Maiden was the concept for their Brave New World album in 2000. After his concept art for "The Wicker Man" single was turned down he gave up designing for the band. He has since provided artwork for their new compilation of works from earlier in their career Somewhere Back in Time. [1]
Riggs designed the cover of the self-titled debut album by the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens. The piece was titled "L.A. Maneater" and featured a female version of Eddie named "Edwina T. Head." According to an interview with the Maidens, Edwina's design was inspired by Paris Hilton.[2]
He has also worked with Iron Maiden lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson for his album Accident of Birth; Stratovarius for their album Infinite; with Gamma Ray for their Power Plant album; with Artension on their 2004 album Future World; and with Gillman on their 2003 album Cuauhtemoc.
Contrary to rumor, Riggs is not involved with the 2009 video game Brütal Legend. However, the main character Eddie Riggs was named after Eddie the Head from Iron Maiden and Derek Riggs.
See also
References
External links
- Official website
- 'The Riggs Logo' - Information on his work for Iron Maiden
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