In a recent conversation with Jason Green of Waste Some Time With Jason Green, drummer Nicko McBrain clarified his current relationship with Iron Maiden, nearly a year after stepping away from touring. Despite his retirement from the road, he emphasized an ongoing connection to the group, stating (via Blabbermouth), “I’m still a member of the band, but what does that mean exactly? Well, I’m still part of the family, so I do a lot of work with the fan club, and I’m going out and doing still Iron Maiden-related stuff [at conventions like Son Of Monsterpalooza]. And, yeah, it’s great.”
While fans might wonder whether McBrain could return to the studio for future work, he was direct about the band’s current plans — or lack thereof. “First of all, there are no plans to make a new album as yet. That could change. So if that’s the case, maybe I’ll be asked to do a couple of songs.”
McBrain’s decision to retire from touring was deeply influenced by health struggles following a stroke nearly three years ago. Reflecting on the life-changing diagnosis, he recalled, “I had a stroke in ’23, in January, January the 19th, to be exact. And it left my right side paralyzed down to the waist and just slightly below. I couldn’t move my leg very well.” He explained how this affected his ability to perform at the high-intensity level required for Iron Maiden’s catalog. “It left me with a handicap of not being able to play fast single-stroke rolls, 16th notes, 32nd notes, a tempo like that… [my right arm] just didn’t work [the same way] anymore.”
Over time, the band adjusted drum parts for tours such as Legacy of the Beast Part Two and Future Past, but McBrain foresaw limitations in maintaining that arrangement long-term. He described moments during songs like “Trooper” where he no longer executed signature fills, acknowledging the artistic compromises involved. This led to a difficult but necessary conversation with bassist and founder Steve Harris. “We agreed. I had a big conversation with Steve… I told him, ‘Look, I’m finding it very difficult with all the traveling and the recuperating time.’… And he said, ‘Okay, I get it. And maybe it’s best.’ And so it was more of 80 percent me, 20 percent in agreement with the rest of the guys to hang it up. And that’s why I retired.”
Speaking to Rock Candy editor Howard Johnson, Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris reflected on how the change unfolded. “To be honest, we didn’t really have a choice and had to make the change after Nicko suffered his health issues. It was what it was, and we had a decision to make as to whether we wanted to carry on or not.” Harris added that once the band chose to continue their scheduled tour, “ultimately, after we got through all that, it was Nick‘s decision to step away and we all respected the fact that he’d decided to do that.”
On December 7, 2024, McBrain formally announced his retirement on Maiden’s official platforms, confirming that the performance at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil, would be his final show with the band. At 73, he stepped down gracefully, leaving a monumental legacy behind. His successor, Simon Dawson, known for his work with British Lion, has since taken up drumming duties.
Though McBrain is no longer behind the kit on tour, his continued presence at fan events and his openness to future studio collaboration leave fans hopeful that this chapter may not be entirely closed.
