IRON MAIDEN – Drummer Nicko McBrain Announced His Retirement From Touring

Nicko McBrain, the 72-year-old drummer of British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN, has announced he is stepping down from touring with the band. Outside of the rigors of playing such demanding sets in his 70s, his decision comes roughly two years after suffering a mini-stroke in January of 2023 and a 2021 battle with Laryngeal Cancer. In a statement shared today, December 07th, McBrain announced the news, offering:

“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, Saturday, December 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!’”