The drummer Nicko McBrain joined Iron Maiden back in 1982 after Clive Burr was fired and since then was part of all the band’s releases. In the beginning of 2023 he suffered a minor stroke that left the right side of his body paralyzed but he was able to recover about 70% of the movements and improve more to be able to tour again with the Heavy Metal band. But during this past year the musician revealed there were some songs he couldn’t play anymore the way he used to. Now, one day after the band’s final 2024 show, Nicko announced that he decided to leave the band.
Maiden announced that Simon Dawson, who has been the drummer of British Lion, Steve Harris’ side-project, for the last 12 years, will be their new drummer. He is known for being a praised session drummer and already was a touring member of the British Pop Rock/New Wave group The Outfield.
Read the Iron Maiden announcement of the new drummer Simon Dawson
“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,” Iron Maiden said.
About leaving the band, Nicko 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. 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 McBrain said.