Iron Maiden have announced their new touring drummer after longtime percussionist Nicko McBrain decided to no longer perform live with the band.

News of McBrain’s departure was announced on Saturday, December 7th. The 72-year-old musician announced that he is withdrawing from the tour, making Saturday’s concert at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil, his final performance with the legendary rock band.

More from Billboard

“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,” McBrain said in a statement on Iron Maiden’s website. “I wish the band much success for the future.”

McBrain joined Iron Maiden in 1982, replacing Clive Burr, who had appeared on the group’s first three albums. While McBrain had left the group Trust to take on the role of Iron Maiden, Burr took over McBrain’s newly vacated role as Trust’s drummer following his brief exit – resulting in the two musicians switching roles.

Although McBrain had been with Iron Maiden since 1982, he was the second youngest addition to the lineup, aside from guitarist Janick Gers, who joined in 1990.

In a statement released on Sunday, December 8th, Iron Maiden announced that drummer Simon Dawson will be taking on the role of drummer for the band, having previously performed with co-founder Steve Harris on his British Lion project.

“As the Future Past Tour comes to a close after 81 shows in front of over 1.4 million fans from Ljubljana to the Coachella Valley and from Western Australia to Sao Paulo, Iron Maiden are pleased to announce that it is a name familiar to many “is to get behind the jersey of our fans for 2025 – Simon Dawson, a former session drummer and Steve’s rhythm section partner for the last 12 years at British Lion,” the statement said.

“A native of Suffolk, England, Simon first teamed up with Steve Harris in 2012. He debuted on three tracks from the first British Lion album and all second ones were critically acclaimed The burningplus the many subsequent tours in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and most recently both Mexico and South America.”

Although McBrain has announced that he will no longer be touring, he notes that he will remain close with the band. He confirmed that he would continue to be involved in “various projects” with Iron Maiden, but would also focus on personal ventures and his existing businesses.

“I look to the future with excitement and great hope! See you soon, may God bless you all, and of course, ‘Get up!'” he wrote.

Iron Maiden will launch the “Run For Your Lives” tour in 2025, celebrating the band’s 50th anniversary. The tour starts on May 27th in Budapest, and 32 further dates are currently planned across Europe.

The Best of Billboard

Sign up for the Billboard newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.