Iron Maiden Announce New Touring Drummer Replacing Nicko McBrain

Having traveled the world with Iron Maiden, on December 7th, drummer Nicko McBrain announced he was retiring from touring. Performing on the road for over 40 years, the drummer wrote, “After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle. I wish the band much success moving forward.” Considering his time on the road with Iron Maiden an “incredible journey”, the band wasted no time announcing the new drummer that shared a past with the group. 

Barely a day after McBrain announced his retirement from the road, Iron Maiden shared the news of the new drummer on Twitter. The band wrote, “As The Future Past Tour concludes after 81 shows to over 1.4 million fans, from Ljubljana to the Coachella Valley and from Western Australia to Sao Paulo, Iron Maiden are delighted to announce that stepping in behind the kit for 2025 is a name familiar to many of our fans – Simon Dawson, a former session drummer and Steve’s rhythm section partner of the past 12 years with British Lion.”

An Announcement from Iron Maiden

As The Future Past Tour concludes after 81 shows to over 1.4 million fans, from Ljubljana to the Coachella Valley and from Western Australia to Sao Paulo, Iron Maiden are delighted to announce that stepping in behind the kit for 2025 is a name… pic.twitter.com/p3R0YZNpNn

— Iron Maiden (@IronMaiden) December 8, 2024

Although some might remember Dawson, Iron Maiden was sure to add some history about the musician. “A native of Suffolk, England, Simon first teamed up with Steve Harris back in 2012. He debuted on three tracks on the first British Lion album and all of the second critically acclaimed ‘The Burning’, plus the many subsequent tours in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand &, most recently, both Mexico and South America.”

[REALTED: Nicko McBrain Playing Final Iron Maiden Gig Ever, Announces Difficult Retirement Decision]

Nicko McBrain Not Leaving Iron Maiden Completely

Gaining over 212,000 views, fans expressed their thoughts on Dawson replacing McBrain. “Well, as a long-time maiden fan, I trust Harris’s judgment…if Harris, and the rest of the band, says he’s qualified, then he is qualified….” Another person added, “Gonna be strange seeing someone else behind the kit but all the love to Nicko and good luck to Simon!”

While fans will miss watching McBrain behind the drums, the musician is still part of the Iron Maiden family. The drummer explained how he would still be involved in certain projects surrounding the band. “I will, however, remain firmly part of the Iron Maiden family working on a variety of projects, my long time managers, Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor, have in mind for me.” McBrain ended his statement, writing, “I look into the future with much excitement and great hope! I’ll be seeing you soon, may God bless you all, and, of course, ‘Up the Irons!’”

(Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)