Iron Maiden have announced their new touring drummer. Stepping in as the replacement for Nicko McBrain will be Simon Dawson, a former session drummer and Maiden bassist Steve Harris‘s longtime bandmate in British Lion.
Iron Maiden, released the following statement, yesterday (December 8th):
“As ‘The Future Past Tour’ concludes after 81 shows to over 1.4 million fans, from Ljubljana to the Coachella Valley and from Western Australia to Sao Paulo, Iron Maiden are delighted to announce that stepping in behind the kit for 2025 is a name familiar to many of our fans — Simon Dawson, a former session drummer and Steve‘s rhythm section partner of the past 12 years with British Lion.
A native of Suffolk, England, Simon first teamed up with Steve Harris back in 2012. He debuted on three tracks on the first British Lion album and all of the second critically acclaimed The Burning, plus the many subsequent tours in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand &, most recently, both Mexico and South America.
Iron Maiden celebrate their 50th Anniversary next year with The Run For Your Lives Tour starting in Budapest on May 27th.”
McBrain revealed on Saturday (December 7th) that he was ceasing to tour with the group after 42 years. The 72-year-old British musician, whose real name is Michael Henry McBrain, announced his retirement in a statement on Maiden‘s web site and social media. He also said Saturday night’s concert at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil would mark his final show with the legendary rock band.
In his statement announcing his retirement, McBrain said: “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. I wish the band much success moving forward.
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!” McBrain added.
Despite the fact that he is stepping away from touring, McBrain said that he will remain closely connected to Iron Maiden and continue to be involved in “a variety of projects” with the band, while also focusing on personal ventures and his existing businesses.
“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!'” he wrote.
Maiden‘s longtime manager Rod Smallwood of Phantom Music Managementexpressed his gratitude to McBrain, writing in a separate statement: “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.”
In January 2023, McBrain was at his home in Boca Raton when he suffered a stroke with partial paralysis. Additionally, four years ago, McBrain was diagnosed with stage 1 laryngeal cancer. He revealed his diagnosis in a single interview in 2021.
Tapped to replace Clive Burr in 1982 after touring activities for Number Of The Beast concluded. Prior to joining Iron Maiden, spent his early years playing for the likes of Pat Travers and French rockers Trust, eventually falling onto the radar of Harris and Maiden during the group’s initial European tour.
8 Responses
Metal legend. Nicko, I wish you the best of health in your retirement from touring. I’ve seen you perform countless times, and you’ve always “killed it” at every show. You will be missed.
….and I’m confident Nicko’s retirement from touring won’t result in a Mick Mars type of situation…..
Nor the way of Judas Priest. Seem like honourable men in Maiden. Up the Irons @Rattlehead
Nothing but respect for Niko, but I always thought he and Udo Dirkschneider were the um,,,least attractive men in metal. That aside, I haven’t been mistaken for Brad Pitt anytime recently. What an incredible career for Niko, he’ll be missed, but he deserves to do what makes him happy after decades of touring with Maiden. 42 years is longer than most marriages.
maybe there’s a little shake rattle and roll in your steps that you aren’t aware of
So is Nicko out of the band meaning he won’t be doing any recording duties with the band anymore? Seems like Steve Harris wants to keep the machine rolling
Jeff,
What I ascertained, from posting this news, is that Niko retired from touring. However, he has left the door open to doing projects with the band. What that means I am not certain. Perhaps that he will play on their albums, but just not tour? He will appear for select, and special performances? Only time will tell.
Iron Maiden should hire a make-up artist and stylist for the next tour to make Simon Dawson look exactly like Nicko McBrain so fans can debate endlessly whether he’s an “imposter”…..(wink, wink)…
Nicko is a true gentleman. I certainly have mixed feelings about this for Maiden moving on and Nicko’s accepting his new limitations after having such a great recovery from his TIA. I had the chance to see the boys in Vancouver, BC 2023 & Portland, OR last October. He played well with noticeable differences, yet, still signature McBrain no doubt. No one can make their hi-hats chick & choke like he does. When the Band announced these next two years of touring I did wonder how Nicko was going to hold up. I do hope that he has no (more) underlying health issues he hasn’t already shared.
Very sad to see him go. He’s been a driving force for Maiden all the decades I’ve been a fan. Always a pleasure & fun to interact with, I will miss his latest drum kit tour update videos and his messages to us fans, his respective “girls & boys.” A great drummer with a signature sound. The stage won’t be the same without him. Looking forward to hearing him in the studio. All hail Nicko! Up the Irons!