Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain has announced he is stepping back from playing live with the band.
The percussionist joined the legendary metal band in 1982, replacing Clive Burr, and has played on all of their albums since 1983’s ‘Piece Of Mind’. He did, however, suffer a minor stroke, or transient ischaemic attack, in January 2023 which left him partially paralysed on his right side from the shoulder down.
Now, as their ‘The Future Past’ world tour draws to a close, McBrain has confirmed that Saturday’s (December 7) show in Sao Paulo will be his last with the band.
An Announcement from Iron Maiden pic.twitter.com/MzFfb8DC4A
— Iron Maiden (@IronMaiden) December 7, 2024
“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,” he wrote in a post on social media. “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,” he continued. He added that he will continue to be involved in his ventures The British Drum Company, Nicko McBrain’s Drum One, Titanium Tart and 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!” he concluded. “I’ll be seeing you soon, may God bless you all, and, of course, “Up the Irons!”
The band have said they have “already chosen” McBrain’s replacement and that they will be announced “very shortly”.
Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood wrote 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!”
“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’.”
Following his stroke, McBrain underwent 10 weeks of “intensive therapy” in an effort to get back to full strength, and within months he was ready to start rehearsals with the rest of the band, ahead of their ‘The Future Past’ tour.
He did admit earlier this year, however, that there were some songs that he “can’t play” in the way he had previously done.
In an interview with Metal Hammer in December, he described the experiences as “very, very difficult”.
“When it first happened, I thought, this is it, I’m not going to be able to play. I’ve got a tour coming up in three months’ time. I had a lot of time for reflection in the hospital. My wife was really my bastion of strength and encouragement and she was with me throughout.”
Tonight’s show in Sao Paulo is the final date on the band’s ‘The Future Past’ world tour, although they have announced a ‘Run For Your Lives’ UK and European tour for 2025. See the full list of dates here and find tickets here.
In October, Paul Di’Anno, the band’s singer from 1978 to 1981, died at the age of 66.