Drummer Nicko McBrain has introduced his retirement from touring with Iron Maiden after 42 years within the band, with tonight’s present (December seventh) in São Paulo, Brazil, being his final ever with the legendary metallic act.
McBrain, who suffered a stroke in January 2023, didn’t point out any particular well being considerations, however did say that he needed to “step again from the grind of the in depth touring way of life,”
The drummer joined Iron Maiden in 1982 and has appeared on each album from 1983’s Piece of Thoughts by 2021’s Senjutsu. Iron Maiden have already chosen a brand new drummer, who might be “introduced very shortly.”
McBrain, who was named certainly one of Consequence‘s 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time, says that regardless of retiring from touring he “will stay firmly a part of the Iron Maiden household engaged on a wide range of initiatives.” His full assertion posted to social media reads:
“After a lot consideration, it’s with each sorrow and pleasure, I announce my choice to take a step again from the grind of the in depth touring way of life. In the present day, Saturday, December seventh, Sao Paulo might be my remaining gig with Iron Maiden. I want the band a lot success transferring ahead.
I’ll, nonetheless, stay firmly a part of the Iron Maiden household engaged on a wide range of initiatives, my very long time managers, Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor, bear in mind for me. I’ll even be engaged on a wide range of completely different private initiatives and specializing in my present companies and ventures, together with The British Drum Firm, Nicko McBrain’s Drum One, Titanium Tart, and naturally, Rock-N-Roll Ribs!
What can I say? Touring with Maiden the final 42 years has been an unimaginable journey! To my devoted fan base, you made all of it worthwhile and I really like you! To my devoted spouse, Rebecca, you made it infinitely simpler and I really like you! To my youngsters, Justin and Nicholas, thanks for understanding the absences and I really like you! To my mates which can be all the time there for me, I really like you! To my bandmates, you made it a dream come true and I really like you!
I look into the long run with a lot pleasure and nice hope! I’ll be seeing you quickly, might God bless you all, and, after all, ‘Up the Irons!’
-Nicko”
An announcement from longtime Maiden supervisor Rod Smallwood on behalf of co-manager Andy Taylor and the remainder of the band reads as follows:
“Nicko, and all of us love you too!! Thanks for being an irrepressible pressure behind the drum equipment for Maiden for 42 years and my good friend for even longer. I converse on behalf of all of the band after I say we’ll miss you immensely!
Ever since Rock In Rio in 1985 we now have had a particular relationship with Brazil so to bow out of touring in entrance of 90,000 followers right here in Sao Paulo over 2 nights is poetic and you might be deserving of all of the accolades I’m certain these marvellous followers offers you on this final present.
Phantom look ahead to many extra years of working with you on the initiatives you talked about and I’m certain we will discover just a few extra particular ones across the Maiden household and FC!
The band and I all have a thousand nice reminiscences of the previous 42 years, nice gigs, copious platinum and gold discs and awards, love from the followers and one beer too many on too many events! Such a bond is ceaselessly! And, as Steve Harris says, ‘Nicko is and can all the time be a part of the Maiden household’.
Rod, Andy, Steve, Bruce, Davey, Adrian, and Jan
P.S. MAIDEN all the time get their man and our already chosen new drummer might be introduced very shortly.”
Whereas each statements be aware that McBrain will stay part of the Maiden household, it’s unclear if he’ll seem on any future albums, or if that process will go to the band’s as-yet-unannounced drummer.
Iron Maiden beforehand introduced the 2025 “Run for Your Lives” world tour, revealing dates for a UK/European leg so far. The outing will see the metallic icons performing songs from their first 9 albums, with tickets accessible right here.
See the social media submit from Nick McBrain and Iron Maiden beneath.