In a candid new interview on the "Rock Of Nations With Dave Kinchen & Shane McEachern" podcast, veteran Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain, 73, has offered further insight into the decision that led to his retirement from touring with the legendary heavy metal band. McBrain, born Michael Henry McBrain, officially announced his departure on December 7, 2024, with a statement released across Iron Maiden’s official website and social media channels. The final performance of his illustrious career with the group took place that same night at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil, marking the end of an era for the band and its devoted fanbase.
During the interview, McBrain revealed that the idea of stepping away from the relentless demands of touring had been brewing for some time, predating his public announcement and even the global challenges that significantly altered the band’s trajectory. "To be very, very honest with you," McBrain shared, as transcribed by Blabbermouth.net, "when we made the ‘Senjutsu’ record back in 2018, 2019, I thought then I would do the tour of that album and then I’d probably hang it up." This initial inclination was further solidified by the anticipation of the band’s 50th anniversary in 2025. McBrain had envisioned a potential final bow for that significant milestone, stating, "And then knowing that the ‘Run For Your [Lives’ tour was coming up] – at the time we didn’t know that that was the name of the tour, but I knew that in 2025 it would be the 50th anniversary [of the band]. And I thought, ‘Well, I’ll come out of retirement for that, if they want me.’"
However, the meticulously laid plans of both individuals and global enterprises were dramatically disrupted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This unforeseen global event "ruined all the best-laid plans of a lot of businesses and people, personally as well as bands going out on tour," McBrain explained. The pandemic necessitated a shift in the band’s touring strategy, leading to the "Legacy Of The Beast" and "The Future Past" tours, which were not originally conceived as part of the "Senjutsu" album cycle. This postponement and subsequent rescheduling created a more demanding schedule than initially anticipated.
A Health Scare and the Weight of Gratitude
A pivotal moment that irrevocably shaped McBrain’s decision was a serious health incident he experienced in January 2023. Suffering a stroke left him with partial paralysis, significantly impacting his ability to perform at the high level required by Iron Maiden’s demanding musical style. "But then, of course, we know what happened – the wonderful, great pandemic hit… So that kind of put the spanner in that works. And it was decided that we would do the ‘Legacy’ tour and not a ‘Senjutsu’ album tour. It was gonna be like a mix of all kinds of stuff. Anyway, we did that, and then I had my stroke in ’23. But there was the end of the ‘Legacy’ [tour] and then ‘The Future Past’ tour came along. So, the guys let me go with it and they carried me on their shoulders, which is phenomenal. I’m so eternally grateful to each and every one of ’em for that, and our management team."
The drummer emphasized that the decision to retire was not one fraught with doubt or second-guessing. "It wasn’t one of those decisions where I was, like, ‘Ah, did I make the right decision?’ I knew back in 2019 that I was planning on hanging it up," he asserted. While he had broached the subject with guitarist Dave Murray, a more in-depth conversation with bassist and bandleader Steve Harris had yet to occur. "So, yeah, it was hard," McBrain admitted. "Any time you’ve been in a band or working for someone for 42 years, it’s a difficult decision. But it was made easier for me because I had it in my mind earlier on anyway, and having the stroke kind of put the cherry on it and I thought, ‘This isn’t fair for the rest of the guys.’ And so that, that helped it out immensely."
Addressing Rumors and the Physical Toll of Performance
The conversation also touched upon rumors circulating regarding guitarist Dave Murray’s potential retirement. McBrain acknowledged the physical demands inherent in performing Iron Maiden’s high-octane music, especially at their age. He noted Murray’s expanded family, including a new grandchild, and his current residence in Maui, suggesting that personal priorities might influence future decisions for band members. "We’ve all been away from our families, and David’s family expanded, and Tasha, his daughter, had a little baby, baby boy, I believe. And he’s a granddad. And he’s ensconced himself in Maui with his wife, Tamar. And I talk to him about longevity and stuff and how physically demanding it is for us playing our kind of music – I think for anybody at our age playing any kind of music [is demanding], to be honest. [Laughs] Some are a little easier than others. I mean, we are high octane, from start to finish."
McBrain offered a measured perspective on the band’s future, suggesting that while his own touring days are over, it’s not necessarily the absolute end for Iron Maiden. He referenced the band’s known hiatus in 2027, allowing for a period of rest and family time, but also highlighting the continued aging of the members. "I would probably say that, in my opinion, I think that this is not likely to be the end, but I think if they do go carry on – I know 2027 is a year off for ’em, and that’s okay. That’s all great. That’s like sitting back for a year and going, ‘Oh, breathing time. Back to family.’ But that’s another year older. I mean, Harry [Steve Harris] will be 71. That’s okay. I mean, I was 72 [after] I had my stroke – so age catches everybody up. Father time, he’s gonna get you in the end."
Despite his retirement from touring, McBrain expressed that he misses certain aspects of life on the road. "I do miss being on stage, looking out and seeing our wonderful fans that we have around the world. I miss that. I miss my little walks with Janick [Gers] or on my own and meeting in a coffee shop during our days off or days of the show. I do miss that. I don’t miss the travel and living out of a suitcase. That I do not [miss]."
The Question Mark of a New Studio Album
The possibility of Iron Maiden recording another studio album was also a topic of discussion, with McBrain remaining cautiously optimistic about his potential involvement. He recounted a recent conversation with vocalist Bruce Dickinson at a Monsterpalooza convention in California. "I did speak to Bruce [Dickinson] – in December I [appeared at] a Monsterpalooza [convention] with him in California. And I said to him, ‘Do you wanna do another record?’ ‘What do you think’, he said, ’cause he is the baby of the band. He’s got that baby gene in him. Look, he’s just been in a studio and finished a new album, solo album, after ‘The Mandrake Project’. But he said he wanted to do one, but he didn’t know if anybody else wanted to. So that could change. That was three months ago. They obviously still talk to one another, and I don’t see why not."
Should a new album come to fruition, McBrain expressed a willingness to contribute, albeit with limitations. "And if they do, I would be delighted to go in and do a couple of tracks. I don’t think I would do the whole album because [of] my handicap [following my stroke]." This statement directly addresses the long-term implications of his health on his ability to commit to a full album recording process.
Chronology of Decisions and Health Challenges
McBrain’s decision to step away from touring was a multifaceted one, significantly influenced by his health. In an earlier interview with Jason Green of "Waste Some Time With Jason Green" in October 2024, he elaborated on the impact of his stroke. "I had a stroke in ’23, in January, January the 19th, to be exact," he stated. "And it left my right side paralyzed down to the waist and just slightly below. I couldn’t move my leg very well. Anyway, it left me with a handicap of not being able to play fast single-stroke rolls, 16th notes, 32nd notes, a tempo like that, and then on from there. You need two hands to do that kind of speed, and [my right arm] just didn’t work [the same way] anymore."
This physical limitation necessitated adjustments to his drumming during the "Legacy Of The Beast" tour (part two) and "The Future Past" tour. "So, we used to have to change the drum fills on various songs over the last two tours… But going forward, there were songs on this new set that I knew I would have difficulty playing, and we wouldn’t wanna change them, like the parts we changed, say, in ‘Trooper,’ for instance; I didn’t play the big drum fills anymore." McBrain described a frank conversation with Steve Harris, where he conveyed his difficulties with the extensive travel and the lack of adequate recovery time. "So, we agreed. I had a big conversation with Steve and I told him, ‘Look, I’m finding it very difficult with all the traveling and the recuperating time.’ We didn’t have days off, so to speak. And he said, ‘Okay, I get it. And maybe it’s best.’ And so it was more of 80 percent me, 20 percent in agreement with the rest of the guys to hang it up. And that’s why I retired."
Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris, in a September 2024 interview with Rock Candy magazine, confirmed the band’s understanding and support of McBrain’s decision. "To be honest, we didn’t really have a choice and had to make the change after Nicko suffered his health issues. It was what it was, and we had a decision to make as to whether we wanted to carry on or not. Obviously we had a tour booked at the time that it happened, and the rest of us all wanted to continue. But ultimately, after we got through all that, it was Nick’s decision to step away and we all respected the fact that he’d decided to do that."
A New Drummer and Continued Reflections
Following McBrain’s retirement, Simon Dawson, a former session drummer and longtime bandmate of Harris in British Lion, has taken over drumming duties for Iron Maiden.
McBrain’s reflections on his exit have consistently highlighted the interplay between his health and the demands of touring. In July 2025, speaking on "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk," he reiterated, "I had my health issues, which was one of the primary reasons that I decided to hang it up with the guys. And I wasn’t doing the songs justice because of the handicap that I had. And it wasn’t fair on everybody else either in the band. They supported me 100 percent through ‘The Future Past Tour,’ and that was fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of brothers to support me through my darkest hour."
He further clarified that the issue wasn’t a decline in his overall ability to play at speed, citing his involvement with his Florida-based side project, Titanium Tart, which plays Iron Maiden songs. "Primarily, I was fed up with touring in terms of the travel and not having days to recoup my body… I wasn’t so much slowing down, although we did play the songs that… I got told off at rehearsals [in 2024] because I was playing the songs too fast, ’cause I’d been playing with [my Florida-based side project] TITANIUM TART… before I went off and did the rehearsals in Australia with MAIDEN. And I actually got told off for playing too quick. So it wasn’t a question of not being able to drive the band. It was just not being able to drive the band with the drum fills that I’d been used to playing for 42 years. So the question mark was raised about the performance side. And that’s quite right… So that was part of the decision that I made."
When McBrain first publicly disclosed his stroke in August 2023, he revealed in a statement that the episode had left him "paralyzed" on one side of his body, leading to profound worry about his future with the band. Adding to his health history, McBrain was also diagnosed with stage 1 laryngeal cancer six years prior. While he discussed this diagnosis in a single interview in 2021, he largely kept the matter private.
A Legacy of Rhythmic Innovation
Nicko McBrain officially joined Iron Maiden in December 1982, contributing to the recording of the 1983 album "Piece Of Mind" and the subsequent tour. His entry into the band followed his previous group, Trust, having supported Iron Maiden during the UK leg of the "Killers" tour in 1981. McBrain replaced Clive Burr, bringing a significant infusion of finesse and technical prowess that had been less prominent in Iron Maiden’s earlier material. While Burr was recognized for his powerful, punk-influenced style, McBrain’s approach was characterized by a notable dexterity and flair. This shift in drumming style proved instrumental in enabling primary songwriter Steve Harris to explore more intricate and adventurous musical territories for the band. Over his tenure, McBrain became the third-longest-serving member of Iron Maiden, a testament to his enduring impact and contribution, standing behind only Steve Harris and Dave Murray in terms of time with the band.