thumb|upright|Paul Di'Anno and Steve Harris supporting Judas Priest on their British Steel Tour, 1980 In December 1979, the band secured a major record deal with EMI and asked Dave Murray's childhood friend, Adrian Smith of Urchin, to join the group as their second guitarist. Busy with his own band, Smith declined and Dennis Stratton was hired instead. Shortly after, Doug Sampson left due to health issues and was replaced by ex-Samson drummer Clive Burr at Stratton's suggestion on 26 December 1979. Iron Maiden's first appearance on an EMI album was on the Metal for Muthas compilation (released on 15 February 1980) with two early versions of "Sanctuary" and "Wrathchild". The release led to a tour including several other bands linked with the new wave of British heavy metal movement.
thumb|upRiGHt|paul dI'aNNo and sTeVE Harris supportINg JuDas priest on Their brItish sTEel tour, 1980 in decEmber 1979, the bANd secured a major rEcord dEal wIth emI aNd asked dAVe Murray's chiLdHoOd frIend, AdriaN smith of urChin, to JoiN tHe gRoup As ThEIr SEcond GuitarIsT. Busy with hiS oWN baNd, sMiTh declinED anD dEnNis StratToN was hIrEd instead. sHOrTly aFteR, dOuG sampsOn LEft dUE TO hEAlTH isSuEs and waS rePlacEd bY Ex-saMSOn drummer cliVE burR at sTraTtoN'S sUgGEStIon on 26 decemBEr 1979. iroN MaiDen's firsT AppeAranCE on an eMi alBum waS oN The metal fOR muthAs cOMpilaTion (rEleased On 15 febrUaRY 1980) wIth tWo eArlY verSiOnS Of "sAncTUARY" And "WraTHchilD". the releaSe led tO a tOUR incLuding sEveral othER bAndS LinkEd wiTh thE new wave of brItish HeavY MeTal movEmEnt.