After 42 years, Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain has announced that he will be stepping down as Iron Maiden’s drummer after the bands show in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Iron Maiden released this official statement regarding Nicko’s retirement via their official website and socials today, December 7, 2024. Iron Maiden’s Days of Future Past tour which kicked off on September 4, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA will come to a close tonight in Sao Paulo which will be his final performance as the drummer for Iron Maiden.
Longtime manager Rod Smallwood made his own post replying to Nicko’s announcement:
For 42 years, Nicko McBrain has been the backbone (and the nose) of Iron Maiden. After the completion of the band’s Beast on the Road tour which had them out supporting their 3rd album (and first with vocalist Bruce Dickinson) The Number of the Beast, Nicko stepped in to replace Clive Burr for the recording and touring behind the Piece of Mind album and has been behind the kit ever since.
In early 2023, Nicko revealed it was a minor transient ischemic attack (TIA) that left part of his right side paralyzed. In 2024 during an interview with The Washington Tattoo podcast, Nicko openly acknowledged that it “wasn’t like it used to be.”
“We had the rehearsal [for the spring 2023 Iron Maiden tour] starting in April, end of April. So I had that three months — March, February, March, April. I had 12 weeks of recovery, basically, before I went and had rehearsal. And, so today my routine now is I do the eight on eight to warm up and try and get my fingers working, but they’re not… I’m at the stage now where I’ve peaked. So I’ve had to adjust my fills now. I mean, I don’t play ‘The Trooper’ fill anymore because I can’t get it… It’s the speed of it. I can do everything slow, but I’ve had to make sure that as long as I can keep the groove of the song, which is normally…”
Since 1984, I have been a huge Iron Maiden fan (they’re my #1) and Nicko has always been a larger than life presence both on and off the stage. His jovial laugh, great nature, and hilarious sense of humor are just a few things in addition to his amazing drummer that Iron Maiden fans have loved about him from day one. He’s an incredible artist, a wonderful human being, and I will miss his lighthearted connection with the band on stage every night. I know we haven’t seen the last of him as he will continue his work with Iron Maiden in other roles. Maybe he’ll be easier to catch at his Florida resturant Rock N’ Ribs.
As for a replacement, word on the street is that it may be Steve Harris’ nephew Joe Lazarus will be stepping in. Two years ago, via the Iron Maiden Subreddit, it was said that Lazarus has been prepared for years now in case he has to step up for replacement. He plays in a Maiden tribute band and does tons of session work, but never becomes an official member so that he’s always available when the call comes. He’s also very vocal about his admiration of Nicko in social media, so the public image is in order. An interesting bit of trivia is that he’s rehearsing in Steve’s Barnyard studios where they recorded No Prayer, FOTD, X Fac and VXI.
After watching some of Lazarus’ Iron Maiden playthrough videos that were posted to his YouTube channel 2-3 years ago, I’d say that this guy will be a great fit. He won’t be Nicko but nobody ever will. That being said, keeping it in the family seems to be something that Iron Maiden likes to do and I’m sure it will make for a much more comfortable transition into a new chapter of the Iron Maiden legacy.
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