Fact #140003

Atti Van Wyk (promoter, Big Concerts) : When we brought Iron Maiden to South Africa the first time it was a couple of years after the uplifting of the Cultural Boycott. The country had been isolated from the international community for many years and international artists boycotted the country as a means to force the government at the time to change their ways. It was also before the internet and TV content was heavily censured in those days so local audiences didn't have any idea what to expect and only knew Iron Maiden from their music. So when their robot-zombie mascot 'Eddie' made his first live appearance on-stage it was a total shock to the audiences and the establishment… it was truly glorious!
(Source : interview with Johnny Black, March 2016)