A few hours after Nicko McBrain’s announcement about his departure from IRON MAIDEN after 42 years of career, IRON MAIDEN honored him as he deserved! More specifically, on Saturday December 7th, 2024, during the British band’s concert in São Paulo, Brazil (which was also McBrain’s last appearance behind MAIDEN’s drum kit), the entire band said goodbye to this great musician!
The concert began with the singer Bruce Dickinson addressing the audience with a few words on the matter:
“Tonight is a very special night, as some of you — I think probably all of you — will know, because this morning we announced – Nicko announced – that he is retiring from active participation as a drummer for IRON MAIDEN’s live performances.”
Between the performance of “Stranger In A Strange Land” and “The Writing On The Wall”, Bruce Dickinson continued, saying:
“For 42 years, Nicko has been a member of this band. He was a drummer before I became a singer, he was a pilot before I became a pilot, and now he’s not leaving the band; he just won’t be playing live with us anymore. We still have a lot of music to play tonight, and I want the rest of the night to be a celebration for Nick, a celebration of the joy he has brought to people all over the world, not just here in Brazil.”
Nicko McBrain’s tenure as the band’s drummer officially concluded with the final performance of “Wasted Years” during the encore. After the performance, the band members each embraced McBrain in turn, while the 45,000-strong crowd cheered and chanted his name. The tearful Nicko McBrain basked in the love of the audience, throwing a variety of drumheads, drumsticks and armbands into the crowd.
Known for his high-energy performances and distinctive drumming style, McBrain has been a key figure in the band’s global success. His decision to step away, marks the end of an era for both IRON MAIDEN and its fans, as his contributions have been essential in shaping the band’s iconic sound. After decades of touring and creating unforgettable music, McBrain is ready to embrace a quieter life, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of musicians.
McBrain, who had been the band’s drummer since 1982, suffered a stroke in January 2023. However, with intensive therapy, he recovered enough to return to the stage with IRON MAIDEN just four months later.
This concert marked the end of the band’s 2024 The Future Past tour. IRON MAIDEN will return to the stage in May 2025 for their Run For Your Lives 50th anniversary tour. Early in the morning of Sunday, December 8, 2024, the Heavy Metal legends announced that Simon Dawson, who has been playing with IRON MAIDEN’s bassist Steve Harris in the band BRITISH LION for over a decade, will replace McBrain as the band’s new drummer.
You can watch Nicko McBrain perform in his final concert with IRON MAIDEN at the video below:
