British heavy metal legends Iron Maiden have announced their new touring drummer. Step in as a replacement for Nicko McBrain will be Simon Dawsona former session drummer and GIRL Bassist Steve Harrisis a long-time bandmate BRITISH LION.

This morning (Sunday, December 8th)GIRL released the following statement: “As “The Future Past Tour” ends 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 We are pleased to announce that the name behind the 2025 jersey will be familiar to many of our fans – Simon Dawsona former session drummer and Stevehas been a partner in his rhythm section for 12 years BRITISH LION.

“Born in Suffolk, England, Simon first teamed up with Steve Harris in 2012. When he first debuted, he debuted on three tracks BRITISH LION Album and the second album were critically acclaimed “The Burning”plus the many subsequent tours in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and most recently both Mexico and South America.

“Iron Maiden will be celebrating their 50th anniversary next year “The Run For Your Lives Tour” Starts on May 27th in Budapest.

Nicko announced on Saturday (December 7) that he would be touring with the group after 42 years. The 72-year-old British musician, whose real name is Michael Henry McBrainannounced his resignation in a statement on GIRL‘s website and social media. He also said that Saturday night’s concert at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil, would be his last performance with the legendary rock band.

In his statement announcing his resignation, McBrain said: “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. I wish the band much success for the future.”

“What can I say? On tour with GIRL The last 42 years have been an incredible journey! To my loyal fan base, you made it all worth it and I love you!” McBrain added.

Despite the fact that he is retiring from touring, McBrain said he would remain close Iron Maiden and continue to be involved in “various projects” with the band, while also focusing on personal ventures and his existing businesses.

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

GIRLis a long-time manager Rod Smallwood from Phantom music management expressed his gratitude McBrainIn a separate statement, he wrote: “Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the drums.” GIRL for 42 years and my boyfriend even longer. I speak on behalf of the entire band when I say that we will miss you very much!”

Kindling also referred GIRLis a deep connection with Brazil, where they have performed in front of large audiences since their appearance at the 1985 edition Rock in Rio Festival. “It’s poetic to say goodbye to the tour in front of 90,000 fans here in São Paulo over two evenings.” rod Continuation. “Nicko is and remains part of it GIRL Family.”

Saturday’s performance marked the final show of Iron Maiden‘S “The future past” World tour that began in May 2023.

GIRL will hit the road again in 2025 “Run for your life” World tour scheduled to start in May.

In January 2023, Nicko was at his home in Boca Raton when he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed.

When Nicko When he first went public with his stroke in August 2023, the drummer said in a statement that the incident left him “paralyzed” on one side of his body and “worried” his career with the band was over.

four years ago, McBrain She was diagnosed with stage 1 throat cancer and opened up about it in a single interview in 2021, but otherwise mostly kept it under wraps. The musician received his cancer diagnosis after an endoscopy at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Health System and Miller School of Medicine. Within a week, McBrainThe cancer was surgically removed and he now has checkups every few months to make sure the cancer has not returned.

Tapped to replace Clive Burr in 1982 after touring activities for “The Number of the Beast” came to the conclusion, McBrain brought with it a level of finesse and technique that was largely missing Iron Maiden‘s early edition. Whereas ridge was often praised for his heavy-handed, punk-oriented style, McBrain was largely the opposite, playing with a level of skill and flair that benefited the primary songwriter Steve Harris take GIRL on more adventurous paths. He eventually became the third oldest member of GIRLbehind Harris and guitarist Dave Murray.

McBrain spent his early years as a drummer playing for artists like Pat Travers and French rockers TRUSTfinally falling on the radar of Harris And GIRL during the group’s first European tour.