Iron Maiden Drummer Nicko McBrain Quits Touring
Nicko McBrain played his final show with Iron Maiden over the weekend.
Iron Maiden (Nicko McBrain on far right) (Source: Supplied)
Iron Maiden played their final show with their drummer of 42 years, Nicko McBrain, on Saturday (7 December), with the musician announcing his touring retirement earlier that day.
The show took place at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil, and was the band’s last show on their lengthy Future Past World Tour 2023/2024. However, McBrain won’t leave the band, revealing that he remains “part of the Iron Maiden family”.
“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,” McBrain wrote on Instagram. “Today, Sat, Dec 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!”
Describing his experience of touring with Iron Maiden for over four decades as “an incredible journey,” McBrain thanked the band, their fanbase, and his family for their devotion.
He concluded the statement, “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!’”
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Iron Maiden’s manager, Rod Smallwood, made a statement on behalf of the band.
“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.”
Adding that he looks forward to working with McBrain on the projects he mentioned (“I am sure we can find a few more,” Smallwood teased), Smallwood continued:
“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.’
“P.S. Maiden always get their man and our already chosen new drummer will be announced very shortly.”
The band promptly welcomed new drummer Simon Dawson over the weekend.
A name familiar to Iron Maiden fans, Dawson has played with the band as a former session drummer and is bassist Steve Harris’s rhythm section partner in the band British Lion. In 2025, Iron Maiden will celebrate their 50th anniversary with their Run For Your Lives tour.
Nicko McBrain has contributed to 14 Iron Maiden albums and is the third longest-serving member of the band. Last year, he told fans he’d suffered a stroke and experienced paralysis on the right side of his body. He embarked on ten weeks of intense therapy and got back on the road.
In a review of the band’s recent show at Perth’s RAC Arena, The Music’s Jake Fitzpatrick said, “Despite their long career, this is a band that clearly still has it. With a setlist spanning their illustrious career, a production that was nothing short of spectacular, and an electrified crowd, the evening was a testament to why Iron Maiden remains one of the greatest bands in rock history. One can’t help but feel lucky for what the rest of Australia has in store for them.”
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