Met and hung out with Derek Riggs last weekend

[Puckfiend]

Iron Maiden artist Derek Riggs was here in southern California this past weekend to make an appearance at an Iron Maidens tribute band show. He did a meet and greet after their set @ The Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana on Saturday night.

Being introduced to the crowd at the show.

Since I live very close to the venue, I was also lucky enough to be selected by the Maidens to give Derek a lift from his hotel in Santa Ana to another hotel up in L.A., so I got to hang out with him and his wife for a few hours on Sunday. Took them to my favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch before heading off to L.A. He and his wife are very nice and Derek was cracking jokes left and right.

Here's some of the stuff that Derek signed for me:

Eddie doodle in corner of Piece of Mind album

'Have a blast' in a mushroom cloud

Trooper poster now hanging in my living rooom

Reaper saying hello on The Trooper poster

Somewhere in Time

L-R: Derek's wife, me and Derek on the patio of the hotel in L.A.

Was a trip to hang out with him after being a Maiden fan for over 20 years. Never thought I'd meet him. Hopefully get to see him again someday.


UP THE IRONS!

 

[Bone Daddy]

Derek was/is a big influence on my art (especially my teenage years). Cool that you got to meet/hang with him.

 

[DeviousDarren]

that's cool man. Makes me still wish I lived in So Cal. I saw a ton of shows at the galaxy.

 

[Stormwatch]

Did you ask him anything interesting or just take lots of photos? What's the real deal with him not painting for Maiden anymore? How come his art on Maiden albums turned to crap after 7th Son, just like the music?