Statement from Nicko McBrain:

After much consideration, with both sadness and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of extended 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: “Up the Irons!”

Nicko

Statement from Rod Smallwood on behalf of Iron Maiden:

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!

Since “Rock in Rio” in 1985, we have had a special relationship with Brazil. 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.