5 – Iron Maiden (1975-present)

We know, you expected it to be a band like [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Marillion[/lastfm] or [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Ange[/lastfm] – but we couldnt just not include heavy metal legends [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Iron Maiden[/lastfm] once we found out that one of their main influences is none other than the Gabriel-era Genesis. More specifically, [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Iron Maiden[/lastfm] bassist Steve Harris (the bands primary songwriter) cited [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Genesis[/lastfm] as his main influence as well as the reason he started playing bass all the way back in 1971. Listen to any song from [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Genesis[/lastfm] 1971 release Nursery Cryme and see how songs like The Return of the Giant Hogweed played a part in Harris writing. Check out the band performing one of their earliest classics Running Free in 1980 below:

That’s all folks! Check out a few more artists who were inspired by [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Peter Gabriel[/lastfm] that didn’t make our list on the next page.