In 1981, Iron Maiden released their second studio album, Killers

In 1981, Iron Maiden released their second studio album, Killers . Although many tracks were written prior to their debut release, it had two new songs: “Prodigal Son” and “Murders in the Rue Morgue” (the latter’s title was taken from the short story by Edgar Allan Poe ). Unsatisfied with the production on their debut album, the band hired veteran producer Martin Birch , who would continue to work with Iron Maiden until his retirement in 1992. The record was followed by the band’s first world tour with their debut performance in the United States opening for Judas Priest at the Aladdin Theatre in Paradise, Nevada . Killers marked the band’s USA album charts debut, reaching number 78 on the Billboard 200 , and they booked 132 shows to promote the album, including their first concert in Belgrade , Yugoslavia . During the summer, Iron Maiden played several festivals in Europe, including at the Golden Summernights 1981 festivals at Zeppelinfeld in Nuremberg in front of 100,000 people.