Nicko McBrain will soon play his last show with Iron Maiden.

The band’s longtime drummer, who suffered a stroke in January 2023 but went back on tour four months later, announced the news on the band’s official website: “After much consideration, with both sadness and joy, I announce my decision to become one Take a stroke.” Step back from the hustle and bustle of extensive touring life. Today, Saturday December 7th, will be my last performance with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success for the future.

McBrain joined Iron Maiden in 1982 and first appeared on their 1983 album A piece of mind. When he announced the news of his stroke, McBrain revealed that he had not yet fully recovered and was struggling with some of the band’s more complex material: “Unfortunately, I couldn’t give you 100% of my performance.”

A year later, in July 2024, McBrain explained how his bandmates had supported him and changed their setlists to accommodate him: “It’s not the old Nicko – it’s nowhere near the old one. But it’s at least part of it.” Me and my band, Steve Harris and the rest of the guys, turn around and say, “If you can’t do something in a song, we’re just not going to do it.”

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In his statement, McBrain vows to “remain an integral part of the Iron Maiden family” and continue work on a variety of projects and existing ventures. “Touring with Maiden for the last 42 years has been an incredible journey,” he concludes. “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 soon, may God bless you all, and of course: ‘Up the iron!'”

Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood issued his own statement on behalf of the band: “Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the drums of Maiden for 42 years, and my friend for even longer. I speak on behalf of the entire band when I say this. “We will miss you very much! The band and I all have a thousand great memories from the last 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! Is Forever! And as Steve Harris says: “Nicko is and will always be part of the Maiden family.”

Tonight’s show marks the conclusion of Iron Maiden’s The Future Past 2024 tour. The band is scheduled to return to the road in May 2025 for the Run For Your Lives tour. Their statement said that a replacement for McBrain was already being planned: “Maiden always gets her man and our already selected new drummer will be announced very soon.”