Nicko McBrain retiring from Iron Maiden

[Carnage]

Statement from Nicko McBrain:



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, Sat, Dec 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



Statement from Rod Smallwood on behalf of Iron Maiden:



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 & Jan



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

It was only a matter of time after the stroke, I'm surprised that he came back at all TBH. The end of an era anyway.

Any guesses who the replacement is? It'll be someone English anyway.

[Bürggermeister]

That explains why Tommy Lee has just left the Crue again.

[londonleatherboy]

Clive burr was better anyway

[Carnage]

Definitely. I don't think he's available though.

[Kunt 4 Life]

Lars?



But seriously, wasn't Nicko's son a consideration?

[Sworntothecans]

It's probably the guy from British Lion.

[Carnage]

Or The Raven Age.

[Trev]

Fair play to him for managing the few tours after the stroke, what a trooper

[londonleatherboy]

Smallwood should definitely take any decision making out of Harris' hands anyway..every decision that man has made since 1988 has been appalling

[Carnage]

I wonder will he play on any future albums, the language of the statement is vague in that respect and only really mentions touring.

[Eoin McLove]

I didn't know he'd had a stroke. All the best to him. It must be some change going from endless world tours to watching Corrie with the family.

[The Ancient Ones]

I wonder will he play on any future albums, the language of the statement is vague in that respect and only really mentions touring.

I suspect he'll stay on as a member 'officially' at least. Whether he actually does anything in reality is a different matter - can see them using a 'ghost drummer' for recording.

[The Ancient Ones]

I didn't know he'd had a stroke. All the best to him. It must be some change going from endless world tours to watching Corrie with the family.

He lives in Florida and has what seems to be a fairly successful BBQ restaurant on the go there for years so he'll have enough to keep him busy! Always struck me as a guy who knew the value of life TBH, and appreciated his time off with friends and family.

Must raise again the question of the band as a whole calling it a day - although I think Nicko was the oldest, perhaps even by several years?

[Carnage]

He is, but not by much - Harris is 68, Murray, Smith and Gers are 67, Dickinson is 66.

[Eoin McLove]

What age is Nicko?