Drummer Nicko McBrain Steps Down From Iron Maiden’s Live Gigs
Iron Maiden‘s longtime drummer Nicko McBrain has just announced his retirement from touring with the band.
Michael Henry “Nicko” McBrian, the 72-year-old musician who has been a member of Iron Maiden for more than four decades made the decision to step back from touring, with his statement on the band's official website mentioning: “After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle. Today, Saturday, December 7th, Sao Paulo will be my final gig with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success moving forward. I will, however, remain firmly part of the Iron Maiden family working on a variety of projects, my long time managers, Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor, have in mind for me. I'll also be working on a variety of different personal projects and focusing on my existing businesses and ventures, including The British Drum Company, Nicko McBrain's Drum One, Titanium Tart, and of course, Rock-N-Roll Ribs! What can I say? Touring with Maiden the last 42 years has been an incredible journey! To my devoted fan base, you made it all worthwhile and I love you! To my devoted wife, Rebecca, you made it infinitely easier and I love you! To my kids, Justin and Nicholas, thank you for understanding the absences and I love you! To my friends that are always there for me, I love you! To my bandmates, you made it a dream come true and I love you! I look into the future with much excitement and great hope! I'll be seeing you soon, may God bless you all, and, of course, ‘Up the Irons!’”.
McBrian joined Iron Maiden in 1983, replacing Clive Burr. He suffered a stroke back in January 2023, therefore making playing the iconic Iron Maiden songs live a little more difficult.
At his turn, Rod Smallwood, Iron Maiden's manager also made a statement regarding McBrain stepping down from future live performances saying that: “Nicko, And we all love you too!! Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the drum kit for Maiden for 42 years and my friend for even longer. I speak on behalf of all the band when I say we will miss you immensely! Ever since Rock in Rio in 1985 we have had a special relationship with Brazil so to bow out of touring in front of 90,000 fans here in Sao Paulo over 2 nights is poetic and you are deserving of all the accolades I am sure these marvellous fans will give you on this last show. Phantom look forward to many more years of working with you on the projects you mentioned and I am sure we can find a few more special ones around the Maiden family and FC! The band and I all have a thousand great memories of the past 42 years, great gigs, copious platinum and gold discs and awards, love from the fans and one beer too many on too many occasions! Such a bond is forever! And, as Steve Harris says, ‘Nicko is and will always be part of the Maiden family’. Rod, Andy, Steve, Bruce, Davey, Adrian & Jan. P.S. Maiden always get their man and our already chosen new drummer will be announced very shortly.”
Simon Dawson from British Lion as new drummer
Later on, Iron Maiden announced that Simon Dawson, a former session drummer native of Suffolk, England, who has been working with bassist Steve Harris since 2012 will be the one taking over behind the drum kit.
Iron Maiden will be celebrating their 50th anniversary next year with The Run For Your Lives Tour which kicks off in Budapest, on May 27th.
Sources:
Jambroadcasting.com – Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain announces retirement, December 8, 2024
Noise11.com – Nicko McBrain Retires From Iron Maiden, Simon Dawson is the New Guy, December 9, 2024
