The group in question had some success in the mid-1980s, but Simon Dawson played during their period of lesser fame.
As reported, Simone Dawson will be the new drummer on tour for Iron Maiden. The musician replaces Nicko McBrainwho will retire from performing after 42 years in the band.
Over the past decade, Dawson has become known for his work as a member of the British Lion. This is a side project of Steve Harrisbassist and leader of Maiden themselves. The group had already existed since the 1990s, but only took shape after Harris himself decided to get involved in 2012.
The group in question also performed at Fabrique, in Sao Paulo, last Thursday (5) — before two Iron dates at Allianz Parque, in Sao Paulo, on Friday (6) and Saturday (7). When he took the stage in the modest concert hall, in front of 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 has made a career as a studio musician, playing with the likes of Dirty deeds, Deep switch, Dear beheaded, Air race AND Communion of the dead soul.
What many Maiden fans have no idea, however, is their involvement with another famous band between 1989 and 2009. This is the The Outfieldowner of the shot “Your love” – even more popular in Brazil due to the parody “Rap with Guns” (“Morro do Dendê is bad to invade”), issued by Cidinho and Dock.
Pop rock/power pop group formed in London, England, in 1984, The Outfield initially had Tony Lewis (vocals and bass), John Spinks (guitar) e Alan Jackmann (drums). They had a lot of success with the aforementioned song and their respective album, the debut Play deep (1985). However, they failed to repeat the same success with subsequent albums, breaking through (1987) e Voices of Babylon (1989).
The year the third album was released, Jackman left the band and Outfield began calling themselves a duo. However, a drummer was needed and Simon Dawson was the right person for this role. The now touring Iron Maiden member has established himself as a member in the studio, recording albums The days of diamonds (1990) e Rockeye (1992) in this article.
After these works, Outfield officially became a trio, with Dawson mentioned as an official member. From that moment on he participated in all the activities until 2009 (the year in which Alan Jackman returned), recording the albums It’s not over… (1998), Extra innings (1999) e Anytime now (2004/2006), in addition to live work You live in Brazil (2001 — and, yes, made in Brazil, more precisely at the Curitiba Forum) e The Outfield Live (2005).
Dawson practically “gnawed on the bone” along with Tony Lewis and John Spinks, as the group did not enjoy much popularity at its stage. It was even common for the trio to perform in the 90s and 2000s as attractions in modest English nightclubs – where they were never exactly popular, selling much more in the US -, without the public knowing their glorious past.
The Outfield ended its operations in 2014, with the death of John Spinks, 60, from liver cancer. Tony Lewis died in 2020, aged 62, of an unknown 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 Life”which starts mid-2025 Read the press release (via Igor Miranda’s website):
“An Iron Maiden commercial
With The Future Past Tour concluding after 81 shows in front of more than 1.4 million fans, from Ljubljana to the Coachella Valley and from Western Australia to Sao Paulo, Iron Maiden are pleased to announce that in 2025 they will take over with a new name. familiar to many of our fans: Simon Dawson, former session player and Steve’s partner in the rhythm section for the last 12 years with British Lion. Originally from Suffolk, England, Simon first collaborated with Steve Harris in 2012. He debuted on three tracks on British Lion’s first album and throughout their critically acclaimed second album “The Burning”, as well as many subsequent tours in the United States, in the United Kingdom. Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and, more recently, Mexico and South America.
Iron Maiden will celebrate their 50th anniversary next year with the Run For Your Lives tour, which kicks off in Budapest on May 27.”
Check out this photo on Instagram
Nicko McBrain leaves Iron Maiden
Read Nicko McBrain’s statement on his withdrawal from the Iron Maiden 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 touring lifestyle. Today, Saturday, December 7, in Sao 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 number 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 will focus 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 last 42 years has been an incredible journey! To my devoted fans, you were 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 the 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 enthusiasm and great hope! See you soon, God bless you all and of course Up the Irons! – Nicko”
The band also spoke out, in a message from the manager Smallwood Auction. Light:
“Statement by Rod Smallwood on behalf of Iron Maiden:
Nicko,
And we all love you too!!
Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the Maiden drums for 42 years and my friend for even longer. I speak for 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 finishing a tour in front of 90 thousand fans here in Sao Paulo for two nights is poetic and you deserve all the honors that I’m sure these wonderful fans will give you. give you in this latest show.
Phantom looks forward to many more years of working with you on the projects you mentioned and I’m sure we can develop more special projects around the Maiden family and the 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, the love of the 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.”
The health of the drummer
It is known that Nicko McBrain has been suffering from health problems as of late. 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 the exclusive sponsorship of Eisenbahn. In collaboration with VOE, the live marketing agency of the 4ZERO4 Group, the official beer of the show in Brazil has prepared actions to celebrate the energy and passion of the audience, including thematic bars and activation points that offer a dive into the universe rock’n’. roll.
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
