Iron Maiden have a new drummer. On December 7, 2024, long-time drummer Nicko McBrain announced that he would be retiring from touring. A day later, the band announced McBrain’s replacement.
Simon Dawson will be on drums for the band’s upcoming Run For Your Lives tour, which opens with a show in Budapest on May 27, 2025. The new man is by no means an unknown: Dawson has already worked with Iron Maiden mastermind Steve Harris on his side project British Lion.
Iron Maiden’s statement
“After 81 shows in front of over 1.4 million fans, from Ljubljana to the Coachella Valley and from Western Australia to São Paulo, the Future Past Tour comes to an end. Iron Maiden are pleased to announce that for 2025, a name familiar to many fans will be stepping in behind the drums: Simon Dawson, a former session drummer and Steve’s rhythm section partner for the last 12 years with British Lion.
A native of Suffolk, England, Simon first teamed up with Steve Harris in 2012. He performed on three tracks on the first British Lion album and on all tracks on the critically acclaimed second album The Burning, as well as on the many subsequent tours in the USA, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and most recently in Mexico and South America. Next year, Iron Maiden will celebrate their 50th anniversary with the Run For Your Lives Tour, starting May 27th in Budapest.”
Nicko McBrain announces departure
McBrain had announced that he wanted to take a step back from the strenuous touring life with immediate effect. “Touring with Maiden for the last 42 years has been an incredible journey! To my loyal fan base: you made this all possible and I love you! […] And to my bandmates: you made a dream come true and I love you,” he wrote in a statement.
Iron Maiden thanked their long-time band member in a statement. “Nicko, we all love you too!! Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the drums for Maiden for 42 years and my friend for even longer. I speak on behalf of the entire band when I say that we will miss you immensely!” said manager Ron Smallwood on behalf of the band.