After 42 years, drummer Nicko McBrain is handing over the drumsticks to Iron Maiden. The evening’s concert in the Brazilian city of São Paulo will be his last, the 72-year-old announced on the British heavy metal band’s homepage.
“After careful consideration, it is with both joy and sadness that I announce my decision to take a step back from the stress of extensive touring life,” McBrain was quoted as saying. “However, I will remain an integral part of the Iron Maiden family and work on various projects.” He has his eye on collaborations with the band as well as personal projects.
Songs sound different – because of stroke
McBrain had been on drums for the band since 1982. After the drummer suffered a stroke in early 2023, some songs sounded different so that he could continue to participate. “I couldn’t play for a long time because I was paralyzed on my right side,” the trade magazine “Rolling Stone” quoted him as saying in the summer.
Manager Rod Smallwood thanked the drummer on behalf of the band for his decades of service and announced that the group would soon announce a new drummer.