Iron Maiden is an English heavy metal band from Leyton, London, formed on 25 December 1975 by bassist and main composer Steve Harris. The band's work has been a benchmark for the continued evolution of modern metal and heavy rock. Over a worldwide career spanning more than 40 years, the band's musicians have been the recipients of hundreds of music awards, including the Grammy Awards and its multi-country equivalents, the 2009 Brit Awards, the Silver Clef Award, the Public Choice International, the Classic Rock Roll of Honours Awards, the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards, the Nordoff Robbins Award and the Ivor Novello Awards - for outstanding international achievement and contribution to British music. Individual musicians of the group have been honoured with national and special awards and honours. The band has received more than 600 gold, platinum and silver records in the course of their career.