The post Drummer Nicko McBrain retires from touring with Iron Maiden appeared first on Consequence.

Drummer Nicko McBrain has announced his retirement from touring with Iron Maiden after 42 years with the band. Today’s show (December 7) in São Paulo, Brazil, was his last ever with the legendary metal band.

McBrain, who suffered a stroke in January 2023, did not mention any specific health concerns but said he wanted to “step away from the everyday stresses of extensive touring life.”

The drummer joined Iron Maiden in 1982 and appeared on every album from 1983 onwards A piece of mind until 2021 Senjutsu. Iron Maiden have already chosen a new drummer, who will be “announced shortly”.

McBrain, who was named one of them ConsequenceThe list of the 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time states that despite his retirement from touring, he will “remain an integral part of the Iron Maiden family, working on a variety of projects,” his full statement posted on social media , reads:

“After much consideration, it is with both sadness and joy that I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of extensive touring life. Today, Saturday December 7th, Sao 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 variety 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 McBrains 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 it all worth it and I love you! To my devoted wife Rebecca, you made it infinitely easier and I love you! To my children Justin and Nicholas: Thank you for your understanding of the absences 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!

I look to the future with excitement and great hope! See you soon, may God bless you all, and of course: “Bring on the irons!”

-Nicko”

A statement from longtime Maiden manager Rod Smallwood on behalf of co-manager Andy Taylor and the rest of the band reads as follows:

“Nicko, and we all love you too!! Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind Maiden’s drums 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 very much!

We have had a special relationship with Brazil since Rock In Rio in 1985. So to no longer be touring in front of 90,000 fans over two nights here in Sao Paulo is poetic and you deserve all the accolades. I’m sure these wonderful fans will give you the same in this final show.

Phantom looks forward to many more years of working with you on the projects you mentioned and I’m sure we’ll find some more special projects related to the Maiden family and the FC!

The band and I all have a thousand great memories from the last 42 years, great performances, numerous platinum and gold records 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.”

Rod, Andy, Steve, Bruce, Davey, Adrian and Jan

PS MAIDEN always get their man and our already selected new drummer will be announced shortly.”

While both statements indicate that McBrain will remain a part of the Maiden family, it is unclear whether he will appear on future albums or whether that task will be given to the band’s as-yet-unannounced drummer.

Iron Maiden have already announced the Run for Your Lives world tour in 2025 and have so far announced the dates for a UK/European leg. The outing will see the metal icons perform songs from their first nine albums. Tickets are available here.

Check out Nick McBrain and Iron Maiden’s social media post below.

Drummer Nicko McBrain is withdrawing from touring with Iron Maiden
Spencer Kaufman

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