MusicThe famous pop rock band in which Iron Maiden’s new drummer playedThe group in question was quite successful in the mid-1980s, but Simon Dawson played during his period of lesser fame today at 4:27 pm

As reported, simon dawson will be the new touring drummer for Iron Maiden. The musician replaces Nicko McBrainwho will retire from performing after 42 years in the band.

In the last decade, Dawson has become notable for his work as a member of the British Lion. This is a parallel project of Steve Harrisbassist and leader of Maiden himself. The group existed before, since the 1990s, but only took shape after Harris himself decided to get involved, in 2012.

The group in question even performed a show at Fabrique, in São Paulo, last Thursday (5) — before two Iron dates at Allianz Parque, in São Paulo, on Friday (6) and Saturday (7). When he took the stage at the modest concert hall, in front of just a few hundred people, the information about McBrain’s retirement was not public, much less about Simon’s joining the main band.

The fact is that Simon Dawson, an Englishman from Suffolk, has a much longer trajectory. He made a career as a studio musician, playing with the likes of Dirty Deeds, Deep Switch, Dearly Beheaded, Airrace and Dead Soul Communion.

What many Maiden fans have no idea, however, is their involvement with another famous band between 1989 and 2009. This is the TheOutfieldowner of the hit “Your Love” — even more popular in Brazil due to the parody “Gun Rap” (“Morro do Dendê is bad to invade”), released by Cidinho and Dock.

Pop rock/power pop band formed in London, England, in 1984, The Outfield initially had Tony Lewis (voice and bass), John Spinks (guitar) and Alan Jackman (battery). They were very successful with the aforementioned song and their respective album, the debut Play Deep (1985). However, they were unable to repeat the same success with the following albums, Bangin’ (1987) and Voices of Babylon (1989).

The year the third album was released, Jackman left the band and The Outfield began to define themselves as a duo. However, a drummer was needed — and Simon Dawson was the guy for this role. The now touring Iron Maiden member established himself as a studio member, recording albums Diamond Days (1990) and Rockeye (1992) in this post.

After these works, The Outfield officially became a trio, with Dawson mentioned as an official member. From then on, he participated in all activities until 2009 (when Alan Jackman returned), recording the albums It Ain’t Over… (1998), Extra Innings (1999) and Any Time Now (2004/2006), in addition to live work Live in Brazil (2001 — and, yes, made in Brazil, more specifically at The Forum in Curitiba) and The Outfield Live (2005).

Dawson practically “gnawed the bone” along with Tony Lewis and John Spinks, as the group did not enjoy much popularity at its stage. It was even normal for the trio to perform in the 1990s and 2000s as an attraction in modest nightclubs in England — where they were never exactly popular, selling much more in the United States —, without the public knowing about their glorious past.

The Outfield ended its activities in 2014, with the death of John Spinks, aged 60, due to liver cancer. Tony Lewis passed away in 2020, at 62, with an undisclosed cause. Interestingly, only the drummers are still alive: Simon Dawson and Alan Jackman.

Simon Dawson in Iron Maiden

Simon Dawson will tour with Iron Maiden on their next tour, “Run for Your Lives”which begins in mid-2025. Read the statement (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.”

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.”

Drummer’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.

THE Future Past World Tour 2024 of Iron Maiden arrives in Brazil with exclusive sponsorship from Eisenbahn. In partnership with VOE, the 4ZERO4 Group’s live marketing agency, the official beer of the show in Brazil prepared actions to celebrate the energy and passion of the public, including themed bars and activation points that offer a dive into the rock’n’ universe. roll.