BREAKING: Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain No…read more.
For over four decades, Nicko McBrain has been more than just the drummer for Iron Maiden he’s been the band’s heartbeat, comic relief, and a beloved figure to millions of fans worldwide. Now, at 73, having stepped away from the relentless pace of touring, McBrain is looking back with pride, a bit of cheeky humor, and absolutely no doubt about the mark he’s left.
At a recent show with his side project, Titanium Tart, in Clearwater, Florida, McBrain addressed the obvious question how does he feel watching someone else sit behind the Maiden drum kit after 42 years? His answer drew laughter from the crowd.
“They’ve got a lovely lad… he’s a baby. He’s got a little tiny drum set,” he grinned, referring to Simon Dawson, who took over live drumming duties for the band earlier this year. Then, with that trademark sparkle in his eye, he added, “How do I feel about it? Well, I’m still the best-looking bloke in Iron Maiden.”
But beneath the jokes was a clear message of respect. “He’s doing a wonderful job,” McBrain said, his tone softening. “And I’m glad you lot have welcomed him to the family. But let’s be clear he’s not me. There’s no one that can replace me.”
It’s pure Nicko confident without being bitter, sentimental without being sappy. That balance has always been part of his charm.
A Farewell Born from Resilience
McBrain’s lighthearted comments mask what’s been a challenging few years. In January 2023, he suffered a stroke that left his right side partially paralyzed. For a man whose entire career depended on speed, stamina, and precision, it was a terrifying moment. Through months of intense rehab, strength training, and determination, he clawed his way back enough to rejoin Iron Maiden on the road and finish out the “Future Past” and “Run for Your Lives” tours.
By December 2024, after his final show with the band in São Paulo, Brazil, he made the bittersweet decision to retire from touring. “The road takes a lot out of you,” he admitted at the time. “It was just time.”
Still, McBrain isn’t leaving music or Maiden behind entirely. He remains committed to future studio recordings and special appearances, keeping his sticks in the game while passing the live drumming torch to Dawson.
Meeting the New Guy
Simon Dawson wasn’t a random pick. He’s a longtime member of Steve Harris’s side band, British Lion, and a trusted musician within Maiden’s circle. Since stepping in this year, he’s been guiding the band through a celebratory 50th-anniversary setlist featuring songs from their first nine studio albums a dream gig for any drummer, but also a tall order to fill McBrain’s shoes.
Fans have mostly embraced Dawson, especially after McBrain publicly gave his blessing. That kind of endorsement carries weight in a band whose lineup changes are rare and often deeply felt.
Old School vs. New School
During the Florida show, McBrain also poked fun at another change Iron Maiden’s newer stage production, which now uses massive digital screens instead of the painted backdrops and props that defined their tours for decades. “What do you think about the screens?” he asked the crowd, prompting a mix of cheers and raised hands. “Now, who prefers the old way?”
His vote? Old school all the way. “I’d have liked to see the drapes and the side screens,” he said, noting that their manager, Rod Smallwood, pushed for the more modern look. It was another moment of McBrain’s candid honesty, delivered with a smile rather than criticism.
More Than Just a Drummer
McBrain’s personality has always been as much a part of Maiden as his drumming. He’s the joker in interviews, the showman behind the kit, the guy who can take the mickey out of his bandmates without ruffling feathers. Even now, in what could have been a somber farewell chapter, he’s choosing to celebrate his journey.
Online, fans have responded with a mix of nostalgia and admiration. Many note that while Dawson is doing an admirable job, McBrain’s unique style both in playing and personality can’t truly be duplicated. And maybe that’s exactly the point he was making: legacy isn’t something you hand over; it’s something that lives on in the music and memories you’ve created.
As McBrain told the Florida crowd, with that familiar grin: “There’s no one that can replace me.” It wasn’t arrogance it was a reminder that, for Iron Maiden fans, Nicko McBrain will always be the guy behind the drums. And if he’s still the best-looking bloke in the band? Well, who’s going to argue with him?
