The History of Iron Maiden – Part 1: The Early Days is a DVD video by Iron Maiden, released in 2004. It features the first part of The History of Iron Maiden series, a 90-minute documentary which describes their beginnings in London's East End in 1975 through to the Piece of Mind album and tour in 1983. The set also features a large collection of rare videos and concert footage, as well as interviews with former members such as Paul Di'Anno, Clive Burr, Dennis Stratton, Dave Sullivan, Terry Rance, Doug Sampson, Ron Matthews, Terry Wapram and Bob Sawyer. The DVD won a 2004 Metal Edge Readers' Choice Award for Home Video/DVD of the Year.
The second part of the History of Iron Maiden series was later included on the Live After Death DVD release in 2008, while a third instalment was released as part of the Maiden England '88 DVD in 2013.
Critical reception
The Early Days was met with critical acclaim, with AllMusic describing it as "A masterpiece."
;Iron Maiden
- Steve Harris – bass guitar, photography
- Dave Murray – guitars
- Bruce Dickinson – lead vocals (Beast over Hammersmith, Live in Dortmund)
- Paul Di'Anno – lead vocals (Live at the Rainbow, Live at the Ruskin Arms)
- Adrian Smith – guitars (except Live at the Ruskin Arms)
- Dennis Stratton – guitars (Live at the Ruskin Arms)
- Clive Burr – drums (except Live in Dortmund)
- Nicko McBrain – drums (Live in Dortmund)
;Production
- Matthew Amos – director (The Early Days)
- Joe Abercrombie – editor (The Early Days)
- MJ Morgan – producer (The Early Days)
- Tessa Watts – executive producer (The Early Days)
- Doug Hall – producer (Live at the Rainbow, Beast Over Hammersmith)
- Peacock – sleeve illustration, sleeve design
- Ross Halfin – photography
- Rod Smallwood – management, photography
- Andy Taylor – management
- Merck Mercuriadis – management
Chart performance
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!Country
! Chart (2004)
! Peak<br />position
|-
|Australia
|align="center"| ARIA Charts
|align="center"| 32
|-
|Finland
|align="center"| Official Finnish Charts
|align="center"| 1
|-
|Germany
|align="center"| Media Control Charts
|align="center"| 76
|-
|Netherlands
|align="center"| MegaCharts
|align="center"| 23
|-
|Norway
|align="center"| VG-lista
|align="center"| 2
|-
|Portugal
|align="center"| AFP
|align="center"| 12
|-
|Spain
|align="center"| PROMUSICAE
|align="center"| 1