After 42 illustrious years, Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain has announced his retirement from touring.
The 72-year-old rock icon, who joined Iron Maiden in 1982 after Clive Burr left the band, has confirmed to fans that tonight’s performance in Sao Paolo’s Allianz Parque stadium will be his final appearance with the band.
Before Iron Maiden celebrates their 50th anniversary on the Run For Your Lives Tour in 2025, the show is the last night of their The Future Past Tour.
After recovering from a stroke in early 2023, Nicko joined Maiden on the 81-date Future Past World Tour, playing drums.
Nicko McBrain stated: “After giving it some thought, I am happy and sad to announce that I have decided to step back from the demanding lifestyle of touring.” My last performance with Iron Maiden will be in Sao Paulo today, Saturday, December 7. I hope the band continues to have success.
However, I will continue to be an integral member of the Iron Maiden family, working on a range of projects that my long-time management, Andy Taylor and Rod Smallwood, have planned for me. In addition, I’ll be working on a number of personal projects and concentrating on my current endeavours and enterprises, such as Titanium Tart, Nicko McBrain’s Drum One, The British Drum Company, and of course, Rock-N-Roll Ribs!
“What am I supposed to say? The past forty-two years of touring with Maiden has been an amazing experience! I love you, my loyal fan base; you made it all worthwhile! I adore you, Rebecca, my loyal wife, who made my life so much easier! I adore you, Justin and Nicholas, my children, and I appreciate you accepting my absences. I love you, friends who are always there for me! You made it a reality, my comrades, and I adore you!
“I am excited and full of hope as I look to the future! God bless you everybody, I’ll see you soon, and of course, “Up the Irons! Nicko
On behalf of the band, Iron Maiden’s manager Rod Smallwood said: “Nicko, and we all adore you too!
“I want to thank you for being my buddy for even longer and for being the unstoppable power behind Maiden’s drum kit for 42 years. I can speak for the entire band when I say that we will really miss you!
We’ve had a unique relationship with Brazil since Rock in Rio in 1985, so it’s poetic to end your tour in front of 90,000 people in Sao Paulo over two nights. You deserve all the praise these amazing fans will offer you for this final performance.
“I am sure we can find a few more special ones around the Maiden family and FC, and I look forward to many more years of working with you on the projects you mentioned!”
“Over the previous 42 years, the band and I have a tonne of amazing memories, including amazing performances, several platinum and gold discs and trophies, fan affection, and too many moments when we had too many beers! A friendship like that lasts forever! Additionally, Nicko is and always will be a member of the Maiden family, as stated by Steve Harris.
“Adrian, Jan, Davey, Bruce, Andy, Steve, and Rod”
“P.S. Maiden always gets their man, and we’ll be announcing our new drummer soon.”
