Barry Clayton
1931 – December 21, 2011
Barry Clayton was known to many a-headbanger as the sinister voice that opens Iron Maiden’s epic song, “The Number Of The Beast.” Released in 1982 and from the album of the same name, the song begins with Clayton hauntingly reciting an excerpt from the Book Of Revelations –
“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.”
The passage is quite possibly the most Bible a legion of metalers has ever read, and helped Iron Maiden break through to a massive worldwide audience that year. Vincent Price was originally offered the gig, but reportedly turned it down due to the amount of money offered. Clayton came on board and gave the song a less campy and more frightful reading than Price likely would have. A television and radio pioneer, Clayton’s voice could be heard on countless English movie trailers and narrations. He also produced England’s first black radio program, Black Londoners, which ran from 1974 to 1988. Barry Clayton was 80 when he passed away on December 21, 2011.
Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.
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