Bruce Dickinson’s emotional speech honoring Nicko McBrain in SP

The show performed by Iron Maiden at Allianz Parque, in São Paulo, last Saturday (7), it was special. The occasion marked the band’s last performance with drummer Nicko McBraina member since 1982. The group had already played at the same stadium on Friday (6).

After having faced health problems such as laryngeal cancer (already overcome) and a mini-stroke (from which he has not yet fully recovered), the 72-year-old musician confirmed, on Saturday morning (7), that he will retire from tours. However, he remains involved with the band. simon dawsonmember of British Lion — side project of the bassist and leader of Maiden, Steve Harris — will take his place.

Right between the second and third songs of the show, the vocalist Bruce Dickinson gave a speech citing Nicko McBrain’s departure. Amidst screams of “Nicko, Nicko” Coming from the audience, the singer declared:

“Tonight is a very special night, as some of you — I think probably all of you — know, because this morning we announced — Nicko announced that he is stepping away from Iron Maiden’s live drumming duties.”

Then, Dickinson praised McBrain’s achievements in the group and made it clear that he remains a member, he just no longer participates in the tours.

“For 42 years Nicko has been in this band. He was a drummer before I was a singer, he was a pilot before I was a pilot. And now he’s not leaving the band. But he’s just not playing live with us anymore.”

Finally, Bruce highlighted that the show that Saturday (7) would be in honor of Nicko.

“We have a lot of music to play tonight and I want the rest of the night to be a celebration of Nicko, a celebration of the joy he brought to everyone around the world, not just here in Brazil.”

Check out the video below.

Nicko McBrain leaves Iron Maiden

Read Nicko McBrain’s statement about his retirement from Iron Maiden’s tour below:

“Statement from Nicko McBrain: After much consideration, it is with sadness and joy that I announce my decision to step away from the routine of the extensive touring lifestyle. Today, Saturday, December 7th, in São Paulo, will be my last show with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success from now on.

However, I will remain firmly part of the Iron Maiden family, working on a variety of projects that my long-time managers, Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor, have in mind for me. I will 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 for the past 42 years has been an incredible journey! To my devoted fan base, you made it all worth it and I love you! To my devoted wife, Rebecca, you have made everything infinitely easier and I love you! To my sons, Justin and Nicholas, thank you for understanding absences and I love you! To my friends who are always there for me, I love you! To my bandmates, you made a dream come true and I love you!

I look to the future with great excitement and great hope! I’ll see you soon, God bless you all, and of course, Up the Irons! – Nicko”

The band also spoke out, in a text from the manager Rod Smallwood. Read:

“Statement from Rod Smallwood on behalf of Iron Maiden:
Nicko,
And we all love you too!!

Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the Maiden drum kit for 42 years and my friend for even longer. I speak on behalf of the entire band when I say that we will miss you immensely!

Since Rock in Rio in 1985 we have had a special relationship with Brazil, so to end a tour in front of 90 thousand fans here in São Paulo for two nights is poetic and you deserve all the honors that I’m sure these wonderful fans will give you in this last show.

Phantom is looking forward to many more years of working with you on the projects you mentioned and I’m sure we can develop some more special projects around the Maiden family and fan club!

The band and I have a thousand great memories from the last 42 years, great shows, many platinum and gold records and awards, love from fans and an extra beer on many occasions! This bond is forever! And, as Steve Harris says, ‘Nicko is and will always be part of the Maiden family.’

Rod, Andy, Steve, Bruce, Davey, Adrian and Jan

PS Maiden always choose their men and our new drummer will be announced very soon.”

New member announcement

This Sunday morning (8), Simon Dawson was appointed to the position. A text released by the band states (via Igor Miranda website):

“An Iron Maiden advert

With the conclusion of The Future Past Tour after 81 shows to more than 1.4 million fans, from Ljubljana to the Coachella Valley and from Western Australia to São Paulo, Iron Maiden are pleased to announce that they will take over in 2025 from a new name. familiar to many of our fans: Simon Dawson, former session drummer and Steve’s partner in the rhythm section for the last 12 years with British Lion. Originally from Suffolk, England, Simon first teamed up with Steve Harris in 2012. He debuted on three tracks on British Lion’s first album and all of their critically acclaimed second ‘The Burning’, as well as many subsequent US tours. , United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and, more recently, Mexico and South America.

Iron Maiden celebrates its 50th anniversary next year with The Run For Your Lives Tour, kicking off in Budapest on May 27.”

In addition to the British Lion, Simon Dawson played with TheOutfield (from the hit “Your Love”but between 1989 and 2009), Dirty Deeds, Deep Switch, Dearly Beheaded, Airrace and Dead Soul Communionbetween others. Most of his work was as a studio musician.

Nicko McBrain’s health

It is known that Nicko McBrain has suffered from health problems in recent times. In early 2023, he suffered a mini-stroke and had to undergo a long recovery process. In interviews, the 72-year-old musician admits that he can no longer play like he used to and needs to adapt his performance.