Nicko McBrain

[SH73]

Left Maiden, tonight is his last show.

Nicko has released a statement to fans confirming that tonight's concert in Sao Paolo will be his last with Iron Maiden.

 

Apparently extensive touring he had been through some health problems nit that long ago.

Edited December 7, 2024 by SH73
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[Lozz196]

Our drummer said that apparently NMcB had a stroke a while back, and that although he was still playing he was no longer able to do what he used to. Probably the best thing to do, shame though.

[SH73]

2 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Our drummer said that apparently NMcB had a stroke a while back, and that although he was still playing he was no longer able to do what he used to. Probably the best thing to do, shame though.

Yes I'm aware, it was a bit noticeable when I saw them last time in 2023, during Caught Somewhere in Time song. But only because I know the songs. He still nailed it though. Well, I'm still keeping my ticket for 2025. 

[Skybone]

IIRC, he had a stroke in 2022, and they were back on tour in 2023. And to be fair, he is 72, so I don't think anyone's going to begrudge him stepping back from 2-3 hour shows.

 

Saw them in Glasgow last year with my son, and Nicko didn't miss a beat.

Edited December 7, 2024 by Skybone

[SH73]

Anyone can guess the new drummer?

Joe Lazarus 

Mike Portnoy

Ghost' drummer?

 

Before anyone beats me to it , it won't be Lars.. apparently the drummer is already chosen and will be announced today. Anyone reads anything reliable online, please update.

[Lozz196]

1 hour ago, SH73 said:

Well, I'm still keeping my ticket for 2025. 

Me too. To my shame will be my first time seeing Maiden.

[SH73]

Just now, Lozz196 said:

Me too. To my shame will be my first time seeing Maiden.

Sure, you'll live it. I became a fan shortly after Bruce joined, but unfortunately I have never see Blaze live.

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Shame really . Awesome drummer and top bloke . 
Takes me back to when I was at home ( somewhere on time tour ) . Friends had a spare tkt at hammy O . They got chatting to Niko in the Duke of Cornwall pub next door . " get your A*se down here ! "Is what Niko shouted to me on the phone 🙂 so I did . Made it in time ! 
 

Seems sad to think of a replacement , temporary or otherwise . I'd say it'd be a British drummer fwiw .

 

I do wonder how long they can go on for . Bruce looks gaunt with his own health issues , and his vocal range is more ltd obviously . They've done it all , but I wouldn't be too surprised if they called it a day within the next 5 years ,sad as it is ..

Edited December 7, 2024 by RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE

[SH73]

21 minutes ago, RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE said:

Shame really . Awesome drummer and top bloke . 
Takes me back to when I was at home ( somewhere on time tour ) . Friends had a spare tkt at hammy O . They got chatting to Niko in the Duke of Cornwall pub next door . " get your A*se down here ! "Is what Niko shouted to me on the phone 🙂 so I did . Made it in time ! 
 

Seems sad to think of a replacement , temporary or otherwise . I'd say it'd be a British drummer fwiw .

 

I do wonder how long they can go on for . Bruce looks gaunt with his own health issues , and his vocal range is more ltd obviously . They've done it all , but I wouldn't be too surprised if they called it a day within the next 5 years ,sad as it is ..

When Maiden looked for Bruce's replacement there were rumours I read somewhere have James LaBrie or Michael Kiske, but I believe it was Steve who insisted a British singer would join Maiden. 

As for Nicko, I think it was during the Book of Soul tour I bought a last minute ticket almost the side of the stage, so I watched guitar tech stringing up Steve's bass , with Steve, Janick and Nicko at the backstage.

I remember shouting 'Nicko...'. he looked in my general direction and waved making a silly face.

There were rumours that Dave has been getting tired of touring.  Bruce and Steve are very active on the projects and Adrian just released a new single...so who knows what the future holds. Could ' Run for your Lives Tour' be the finale?

[Mickeyboro]

Went on tour with Maiden in a reporting capacity on the Powerslave tour. Nicko was great value and entertaining, as I recall. 
 

A decade or two later I interviewed Bruce on the phone. The line went dead, and after several tries I called another number in his office. Turned out, to the amusement of all, that he’d been yakking to no-one for at least five minutes😁

[Jackroadkill]

Much respect to Nicko; a superb drummer and a nice guy, by all accounts.  I caught one of his skins at a gig in Manchester about 12 years ago and gave it to a drummer friend who wasn't able to go.

[SH73]

5 minutes ago, Jackroadkill said:

Much respect to Nicko; a superb drummer and a nice guy, by all accounts.  I caught one of his skins at a gig in Manchester about 12 years ago and gave it to a drummer friend who wasn't able to go.

I caught his drum stick during the Maiden England Tour in 2013 at a European festival. In fact I saw Maiden England three times, the original in 88 then twice in 2013. I've been trying to catch Steve's sweat band for decades 😄, even in a small venue during British Lion gig it's impossible.

[LowB_FTW]

I've been reading about this too and apparently the stroke he had in '23 left him paralysed on his right side from his shoulder down, but he was able to recover to about 70% of full movement.

That's gonna be tough for anyone to deal with at any point in their lives, but when you are internationally famous for being a drummer all your life, it's gotta add an extra dimension of hurt to you.

 

From what I understand, he's only retiring from touring, so hopefully it's not the last we'll hear from him.

 

Mark

[SH73]

Nicko saying goodbye on his last Maiden gig

[Rich]

13 hours ago, SH73 said:

I caught his drum stick during the Maiden England Tour in 2013 at a European festival. 

Nice memento , do you still have it?

I remember a mate coming back from an early Maiden gig, clutching a very splintered stick with the phrase CLIVE BURR HIT 'EM HARD printed on it. 

[SH73]

8 minutes ago, Rich said:

Nice memento , do you still have it?

I remember a mate coming back from an early Maiden gig, clutching a very splintered stick with the phrase CLIVE BURR HIT 'EM HARD printed on it. 

I do indeed, but I just admit it's been in the loft for nearly a decade , I've got to dig it out and frame it with Steve Harris signed t shirt.

Edited December 8, 2024 by SH73
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[SH73]

Simon Dawson  Drummer from British lion , the new Maiden drummer

Edited December 8, 2024 by SH73
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[MacDaddy]

Makes sense it's someone already within the organisation.

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

1 hour ago, SH73 said:

Nicko saying goodbye on his last Maiden gig

That was really hard to watch in a sad way . You can see Nicko struggling . Bruce seemed to be as well imho.

50 years , huge achievement . Looking at this , I think they should call it a day .  

[SH73]

1 hour ago, RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE said:

That was really hard to watch in a sad way . You can see Nicko struggling . Bruce seemed to be as well imho.

50 years , huge achievement . Looking at this , I think they should call it a day .  

Totally agreed, have been a Maiden fan since early 80's, my always No1 band, and my thoughts are the same. Didn't Maiden record new material with Nicko that's due out on April 2025? Is the title of the tour ' Run for your lives ' a hint ...

Steve won't pull a plug on Maiden, sold out venues , he loves being on stage.

Edited December 8, 2024 by SH73
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[TimR]

Drummer from British Lions, Simon Dawson, set to take over. Makes sense if Steve Harris already knows him and plays well with him. 

Edited December 8, 2024 by TimR

[peteb]

On 08/12/2024 at 12:00, RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE said:

That was really hard to watch in a sad way . You can see Nicko struggling . Bruce seemed to be as well imho.

50 years , huge achievement . Looking at this , I think they should call it a day .  

 

F***, Bruce is starting to look his age! Dunno about calling it a day, but perhaps a younger drummer along with shorter sets and tours might help them to keep going a bit longer. 

 

I was never a Maiden fan - I was always more impressed that Nicko had played with Pat Travers in his earlier career. I never met the guy, but I was sat next to him on a train once! Him and Bruce were busy chatting to some girls who were going to a show that night. He seemed a nice enough guy. 

 

[TimR]

Yes. The trend for these shows to go on for hours is a bit mad really. I guess at £180 a ticket, people are expecting a good return. 

 

I still remember all the times I saw them at Hammersmith Odeon in the 80s. Saw them once at the O2 and it just wasn't the same.