Iron Maiden will have to do without their long-time drummer Nicko McBrain in the future: As the 72-year-old announced, he is turning his back on touring with the legendary British heavy metal band after 42 years.
“After careful consideration, it is with sadness and joy that I announce my decision to take a step back from the strenuous life of touring. Today, Saturday December 7th, São Paulo will be my last gig with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success for the future,” writes McBrain in a statement.
However, McBrain wants to remain part of the Iron Maiden family and work on a number of projects. “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! To my faithful wife Rebecca, you have made it infinitely easier and I love you! To my children Justin and Nicholas: Thank you for your understanding of my absence, and I love you! To my friends who are always there for me: I love you! To my bandmates: You made a dream come true and I love you,” writes McBrain.
“Nicko, we all love you too!”
Manager Rod Smallwood also released a statement on behalf of the band thanking McBrain. “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!” it says.
“The band and I have a thousand great memories from the past 42 years: great performances, lots of platinum and gold records and awards, the love of the fans and one too many beers 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,’” the band continues.
Iron Maiden: New drummer already confirmed
At the end of the statement, the group reveals that a new drummer has already been found and will be announced soon.
McBrain suffered a stroke in 2023, from which he said he had already recovered – but he was apparently no longer able to reach 100 percent musically and had to replace various parts in the songs.
Iron Maiden: The Statements in full length
Statement from Nicko McBrain:
“After careful consideration, it is with sadness and joy that I announce my decision to take a step back from the strenuous life of touring. Today, Saturday December 7th, São Paulo will be my last gig with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success for the future.
However, I will remain an integral part of the Iron Maiden family and will work on a number of projects that my long-time managers Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor have in mind for me. I will also be working on various personal projects and focusing on my existing companies 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 for the last 42 years has been an incredible journey! To my loyal fan base: you made this all possible and I love you! My faithful wife Rebecca: you have made it infinitely easier, and I love you! My children Justin and Nicholas: Thank you for your understanding of my absence, and I love you! My friends who are always there for me: I love you! And to my bandmates: you made a dream come true and I love you!
I look to the future with great excitement and great hope! See you again soon, may God bless you all and of course: ‘Up the Irons!’
Nicko”
Statement from Rod Smallwood on behalf of Iron Maiden:
“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!
We have had a special relationship with Brazil since Rock in Rio in 1985, so to say goodbye to the tour in front of 90,000 fans here in São Paulo over two nights is poetic and you deserve all the recognition that these wonderful fans have given you on this last one There will definitely be a show.
Phantom looks forward to many more years of working with you on the projects you mentioned, and I’m sure we can find a few more special projects in the Maiden family and FC!
The band and I have a thousand great memories from the last 42 years: great gigs, lots of platinum and gold records and awards, the love of the fans and one too many beers on too many occasions! Such a bond is forever! And as Steve Harris says: ‘Nicko is and always will be part of the Maiden family.’
Rod, Andy, Steve, Bruce, Davey, Adrian & Jan
PS Maiden always get their man, and our already chosen new drummer will be announced shortly.”