Drummer Nicko McBrain Retires From Touring with Iron Maiden

Drummer Nicko McBrain has announced his retirement from touring with Iron Maiden after 42 years in the band, with tonight’s show (December 7th) in São Paulo, Brazil, being his last ever with the legendary metal act.

McBrain, who suffered a stroke in January 2023, did not mention any specific health concerns, but did say that he wanted to “step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle.”

The drummer joined Iron Maiden in 1982 and has appeared on every album from 1983’s Piece of Mind through 2021’s Senjutsu. Iron Maiden have already chosen a new drummer, who will be “announced very shortly.”

McBrain, who was named one of Consequence‘s 100 Best Drummers of All Time, says that despite retiring from touring he “will remain firmly part of the Iron Maiden family working on a variety of projects.” His full statement posted to social media reads:

“After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle. Today, Saturday, December 7th, Sao Paulo will be my final gig with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success moving forward.

I will, however, remain firmly part of the Iron Maiden family working on a variety of projects, my long time managers, Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor, have in mind for me. I’ll also be working on a variety of different personal projects and focusing on my existing businesses and ventures, including The British Drum Company, Nicko McBrain’s Drum One, Titanium Tart, and of course, Rock-N-Roll Ribs!

What can I say? Touring with Maiden the last 42 years has been an incredible journey! To my devoted fan base, you made it all worthwhile and I love you! To my devoted wife, Rebecca, you made it infinitely easier and I love you! To my kids, Justin and Nicholas, thank you for understanding the absences and I love you! To my friends that are always there for me, I love you! To my bandmates, you made it a dream come true and I love you!

I look into the future with much excitement and great hope! I’ll be seeing you soon, may God bless you all, and, of course, ‘Up the Irons!’

-Nicko”

A statement from longtime Maiden manager Rod Smallwood on behalf of co-manager Andy Taylor and the rest of the band reads as follows:

“Nicko, and we all love you too!! Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the drum kit for Maiden for 42 years and my friend for even longer. I speak on behalf of all the band when I say we will miss you immensely!

Ever since Rock In Rio in 1985 we have had a special relationship with Brazil so to bow out of touring in front of 90,000 fans here in Sao Paulo over 2 nights is poetic and you are deserving of all the accolades I am sure these marvellous fans will give you on this last show.

Phantom look forward to many more years of working with you on the projects you mentioned and I am sure we can find a few more special ones around the Maiden family and FC!

The band and I all have a thousand great memories of the past 42 years, great gigs, copious platinum and gold discs and awards, love from the fans and one beer too many on too many occasions! Such a bond is forever! And, as Steve Harris says, ‘Nicko is and will always be part of the Maiden family’.

Rod, Andy, Steve, Bruce, Davey, Adrian, and Jan

P.S. MAIDEN always get their man and our already chosen new drummer will be announced very shortly.”

While both statements note that McBrain will remain a part of the Maiden family, it is unclear if he will appear on any future albums, or if that task will go to the band’s as-yet-unannounced drummer.

Iron Maiden previously announced the 2025 “Run for Your Lives” world tour, revealing dates for a UK/European leg thus far. The outing will see the metal icons performing songs from their first nine albums, with tickets available here.

See the social media post from Nick McBrain and Iron Maiden below.