The Number of the Beast

Dickinson's recorded debut with Iron Maiden was 1982's The Number of the Beast, an album that claimed the band their first ever UK Albums Chart number 1 record[19] and additionally became a Top Ten hit in many other countries. For the second time the band went on a world tour, visiting the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia. The tour's US leg was marred by controversy stemming from an American right-wing political pressure group that claimed Iron Maiden was Satanic because of the new album's title track. The band members' attempts to deflect the criticism failed to dampen persistent accusations. A group of Christian activists went on to destroy Iron Maiden records (along with those of Ozzy Osbourne) in protest against the band.
In addition to the title track which was popular amongst fans despite its controversy, the album also included such hits as "Run to the Hills", "22 Acacia Avenue", and "Hallowed Be Thy Name". Songs of historical and literary significance would continue their presence in Iron Maiden albums, including "Children of the Damned", based on the film of the same name, and "The Prisoner", based on The Prisoner television show starring Patrick McGoohan. Dickinson at the time was still in legal difficulties with Samson's managment (or lack of!), and was not permitted to add his name to any of the songwriting credits. However, he was still able to lend 'creative influence' to many of the songs. The artwork for the album was originally going to be the 'Purgatory' single cover, but the band had something better in mind. When the artwork was produced for the new album, instead of having a black sky background, because of a printing error, the albums finished background sky colour was blue.