Music5 Discoveries from the 1st interview of Nicko McBrain since leaving Iron Maiden [LISTA]

End of silence. Nicko McBrain granted his first interview since the removal of the Iron Maidenconfirmed in December after two shows in Sao Paulo.

The 72-year-old drummer suffered a mini-AVC and this impaired his performance. It is the main reason for your removal – which is not complete, just from the tours, as it is listed as an official member.

McBrain’s vacancy will be occupied at shows by Simon Dawson. The drummer works with the group bassist, Steve Harrisin British Lionbesides having touched with The Outfield and several other names.

In an interview with Chaoszine (via Blabberouth / Igor Miranda website), Nicko vented on his physical limitations as a function of advanced age and, in particular, the Mini-AVC. He also revealed the exact moment when he considered retiring and even revealed one of his plans for the future: launching an autobiography.

Check out five revelations by Nicko McBrain below in his first interview after Iron Maiden’s retirement.

In topics: Nicko McBrain manifests

1) When he decided to retire

Nicko McBrain revealed to have confusing emotions about retirement, but defined the decision as easy. After all, he felt he couldn’t deliver what was expected of him.

Regarding the moment he decided to retire, he said:

“I kind of made a decision when we arrived in North America [possivelmente em outubro de 2024, para uma das últimas etapas da turnê mais recente] And I talked to the guys about it, especially Steve [Harris, baixista e líder]and then with the entrepreneurs. And everyone said, ‘Ok. If that’s what you want to do, we understand ‘, considering my disability, from my stroke [mini-AVC sofrido em 2023] And everything else. ”

He adds:

“So, I wake up a few days and I look like, ‘I’m going to lose the next tour and I won’t be able to get out on the road.’ It was an easy decision, but I wish I could keep playing with the guys. I wanted to be in full shape. ”

2) Desire for retirement was older

Despite communicating his decision in 2024, Nicko McBrain thought of retiring since 2023. In January of the year, he suffered a mini-AVC. However, he held the wave so as not to disturb the tour The Future Past.

“It was something I had thought of in 2023. I was thinking after the end of that stage of the tour: ‘Well, should I announce it to the band then?’ But I thought, ‘No, I’ll go through the Tour The Future Past and then we’ll see. Let’s get it out of the way first ‘. And when we arrived on the American tour [em outubro de 2024]I thought, ‘It’s time to hang the boots, Nick’. It was not an easy decision and I have good days and bad days – where I think I won’t be on stage anymore – but it was the best. ”

3) Difficulty in touring

The Future Past tour was not easy to do. Nicko McBrain was subjected to the common Iron Maiden agenda, not adjusted by his condition.

“He was. In this, we kept the same type of schedule: show day, travel day, show day, travel day, show day, one or two days off, travel day, this kind of thing. It took me. It was good last year in 2023. And it was still good in 2024, but I felt I couldn’t give 100%, certainly in ‘The Trooper’ and other songs. And we turned, we went well, but I felt that I was not able to drive the band as I wanted. ”

4) Frustration

Nicko McBrain may sound like a drum machine, but it’s still a human being. He admitted to having felt very frustrated with his current condition.

“When you get used to being able to do something for, like, 50 years of your career… God gave me a stroke, but I’m still here. I’m still standing two years later. But I was very lucky in the fact that I had great therapists who helped me in the beginning. The feeling I had was frustration, because I knew I could do things, but I couldn’t do it, physically or mentally, because there is a lot of mental things happening. ”

5) Autobiography is coming

Briefly, Nicko McBrain confirmed the plans to launch an autobiography. There is no other information other than your intention. He just said:

“Yes, we are on the verge of it. It has been talked about it. Keep an eye on this topic. ”

Back on stage

For the first time since the removal of Iron Maiden, Nicko McBrain was seen by playing in public the instrument that consecrated him. The occasion was special: a charity event in the US state of Florida that raised funds for Homesafe, an institution that assists victims of domestic violence and child abuse (via Blabberouth).

Nicko was the host of the event, promoted in late January, and also took over the drumsticks for a version of “Brown Sugar”of the Rolling Stones. He is worth the insistence, showed that it is like riding a bicycle: he still playing very well.

Watch the following videos.

Also in Florida, McBrain participated in a photo shoot with fans at the restaurant ROC N ROLL RIBSof which it is one of the owners. Since 2009 the site is in operation and attracts barbecue fans and, of course, Iron Maiden (via Igor Miranda website).

Nicko McBrain moves away from Iron Maiden’s tours

After facing health problems such as laryngeal cancer (already overcome) and a mini-VC (from which he has not fully recovered), Nicko McBrain confirmed on the morning of December 7 that he will withdraw from the tours. However, it remains involved with the band. Simon Dawsonmember of British Lion – Parallel project of the bassist and leader of Maiden, Steve Harris -, will occupy the place of the 72 -year -old musician.

Read Nicko McBrain’s statement below about his removal from Iron Maiden tours:

“Nicko McBrain’s statement: After much consideration, it is with sadness and joy that I announce my decision to get away from the extensive tours lifestyle routine. Today, Saturday, December 7, in Sao Paulo, will be my last show with Iron Maiden. I wish the band a lot of success.

However, I will continue firmly as part of the Iron Maiden family, working on a variety of projects that my longtime entrepreneurs, Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor, have in mind for me. I will also be working in 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 in the last 42 years has been an amazing journey! For my devoted fan base, you made it all worth it and I love you! For my devoted wife, Rebecca, you have made everything infinitely easier and I love you! To my children, Justin and Nicholas, thanks 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 at the future with great animation and great hope! I will see them soon, God bless you all and of course Up the Irons! – Nicko “

Rolling Stone Brazil Special: Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden on the cover: A Rolling Stone Brazil He launched an edition of unpublished collector for fans of the Heavy Metal band. The biggest albums, the list of shows in Brazil, the power of the group’s market and even a tour of the band’s plane you can see in the printed special, for sale at Profile store.

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+++ Read more: 5 rock icons that honored Nicko McBrain after leaving Iron Maiden
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+++ Follow journalist Igor Miranda @igormirandasite on Instagram