Nicko McBrain has played his final show with Iron Maiden, after announcing his retirement from touring. Check out footage of the show below.
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The band’s longtime drummer confirmed over the weekend that the band’s show in Sao Paulo would be his last, as he looks to “take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle”.
He joined the line–up back in 1982, replacing Clive Burr, and played on all of their albums since 1983’s ‘Piece Of Mind’. He did, however, suffer a minor stroke, or transient ischaemic attack, in January 2023 which left him partially paralysed on his right side from the shoulder down.
Taking to the stage for the Sao Paulo show on Saturday (December 7), the percussionist ended his last show with the iconic metal band with a bang. Earlier in the set, frontman Bruce Dickinson addressed McBrain’s departure with fans.
“Tonight is a very special night, as some of you, I think probably all of you, will know, because this morning we announced, Nicko announced that he was stepping back from playing live drums with Iron Maiden,” he said (via Loudwire).
“For 42 years, Nicko’s 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. So we have a lot more music to get to tonight and I want the rest of the night to be a celebration of Nick, a celebration of the joy that he’s brought to everybody around the world.”
Wow! Thank you, São Paulo! You did indeed make this a night that we’ll never forget… #IronMaiden #TheFuturePastWorldTour #NickoMcBrain #KillerKontent #McMurtrie pic.twitter.com/lWSkAxFWOP
— Iron Maiden (@IronMaiden) December 8, 2024
The show saw Iron Maiden break out a huge number of classic tracks from across their discography, and ended with a rendition of their 1986 fan-favourite ‘Wasted Years’. Afterwards, each bandmate took turns hugging the drummer, while the crowd chanted his name.
The gig marked the final scheduled date of their ‘The Future Past’ world tour, which began in May 2023.
Up next, they’ll head back on the road in 2025 for their ‘Run For Your Lives’ world tour, which is set to begin in the spring. The members have already confirmed the replacement for McBrain – announcing that Simon Dawson, who plays in British Lion (the hard rock project of Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris) will be taking over touring duties.
In his initial announcement, McBrain wrote: “What can I say? Touring with Maiden the last 42 years has been an incredible journey! To my devoted fan base, you made it all worthwhile and I love you!”
“I look into the future with much excitement and great hope!” he concluded. “I’ll be seeing you soon, may God bless you all, and, of course, “Up the Irons!” Check out more footage of his final show below.
Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood wrote a statement on behalf of the band: “Nicko, And we all love you too!! Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the drum kit for Maiden for 42 years and my friend for even longer. I speak on behalf of all the band when I say we will miss you immensely!”
“The band and I all have a thousand great memories of the past 42 years, great gigs, copious platinum and gold discs and awards, love from the fans and one beer too many on too many occasions! Such a bond is forever! And as Steve Harris says, ‘Nicko is and will always be part of the Maiden family’.”
Following his stroke, McBrain underwent 10 weeks of “intensive therapy” in an effort to get back to full strength, and within months he was ready to start rehearsals with the rest of the band, ahead of their ‘The Future Past’ tour. He did admit earlier this year, however, that there were some songs that he “can’t play” in the way he had previously done.
The post Watch Nicko McBrain play final show with Iron Maiden as Bruce Dickinson pays tribute appeared first on NME.
