UPDATE TO BELOW STORY....
Iron Maiden have posted a video recap for drummer Nicko McBrain's last show with the group on Saturday in Brazil. Check it out on YouTube. And Rush singer and bassist Geddy Lee has commented on Nicko's retirement, saying, "I want to tip my hat, and congratulate one of rock’s most talented and truly iconic drummers, Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain, on his recent retirement from touring. One of the warmest and friendliest dudes I’ve ever had the sincere pleasure to spend a bit of time with. What a career mate! Well done Nicko!"
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Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain has played his last show with the group.
McBrain announced before their final show of the year Saturday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil that he's stepping away from touring. He said, "I will, however, remain firmly part of the Iron Maiden family working on a variety of projects my longtime managers, Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor, have in mind for me. I’ll also be working on a variety of different personal projects and focusing on my existing businesses and ventures... Touring with Maiden the last 42 years has been an incredible journey!"
The decision wasn't that big a surprise to Maiden fans since McBrain revealed this summer that he couldn't play some of their old songs because of the stroke he suffered in early 2023.
During their show Saturday night, Bruce Dickinson addressed McBrain's departure early in the set, telling the audience, "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, not just here in Brazil,"
The band has already tabbed McBrain's replacement -- Simon Dawson, who's played with Maiden bassist Steve Harris in British Lion the past 12 years.