Nicko McBrain retires

Vaenyr said:
I'm not a fan of British Lion (too generic for my tastes), but I don't think it's fair judging Simon by his work there. I'll wait with my judgement until I've heard him play a few Maiden tunes. Who knows, maybe it'll work just work out well enough.
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And I’ll give him several shows. It took an entire leg for Sneap to get confident and play well enough in Priest.
 
I just watched a live video of Brithis Lion doin Spitfire (and some others) and this Simon chap seems to compliment Harris well. I think he will be good at the dugguda-dugguda-dugguda-bubbada-bubbada-ba-ba-ba-baa, as Nicko might call it.

I wonder if the Run For Your Lives theme was in any way influenced by the change in drummer. Chances are that a rock/metal drummer of his age would be much more familiar with that material than anything after that.

Also, a massive thank you to the ineffable, the inimitable, the uneatable Mr Nicko McBrain. Godspeed baby, you and your way shall live long in the memory.
 
Cat Milk Supreme said:
I wonder if the Run For Your Lives theme was in any way influenced by the change in drummer. Chances are that a rock/metal drummer of his age would be much more familiar with that material than anything after that.
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It surely was. I said before, that Nicko can't play Run To The Hills since the stroke anymore. The hi-hat pattern is just too much for his right hand.
 
AncientMariner_Essex said:
I don’t think they did. I think they were all hoping (Nicko included) that he would see out the 50th anniversary tour too.
IMO I think Nicko has realised quite recently, in the last couple of months maybe, that he has to hang it up.
That’s why I firmly believe this new drummer is only in place to fulfil the run for your lives tour. Once that’s done I think the band will sit down and make a decision on their future, see how all the remaining band members feel. There might be one or two others that might be feeling it’s time to hang it up.
For now, all I’m expecting for the future of Maiden is one more tour and one more release, a live album from the future past. If I get anything else like a new album and/or the band does decide to carry on after the 50th anniversary tour then I see that as a bonus. Right now I think this is the beginning of the end for touring Maiden. Not trying to be negative but it has to end sometime and going out celebrating 50 years would be the perfect way. Plus some of the band members will just go off and concentrate on side projects, others will retire and enjoy the fruits of their lifetimes work.
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Come to think of it, I think you might be right. And they're only replacing him live. As Bruce said, for now they have plans until 2026 and half of the band has side projects.

The statement about stepping up for 2025 (only) is odd, but it doesn't make sense to use another drummer for the 2nd leg. I think they're just being careful with statements (despite the tour poster) and I feel they're not sure if they want to continue after this new tour. This would also support the theory that they were hoping Nicko to play on the celebration tour. Steve's thought about semi-retirement is more possible now.

The most they can do is another album/tour and another tour with Hits/career spanning (or Part 2), but after a 50 years theme, normally it comes a new album. What else after all these years.
The_7th_one said:
Coming back to Nicko's farewell from touring…
I saw the last song and the farewell from the members of the band (except Dave) specially Steve was very cold.
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I wouldn't say that. They probably just don't want to show their feelings. The band is really a family and they care for each other. As said, we all think Nicko insisted the band to continue. For how long, we don't know.
daan said:
Bruce's comment from the stage about Nicko not leaving the band, just not playing live anymore, makes me think they've already decided to record another album some time soon. Why else would he say that? Surely he didn't mean Nicko will be there for their business meetings. I don't think it was just a nice thing to say for the fans to feel better, but who knows.
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I feel the same way, but how will Nicko play the fills in the studio. I don't think he would want to compromise in the studio or Maiden to cover him.
 
Cat Milk Supreme said:
I wonder if the Run For Your Lives theme was in any way influenced by the change in drummer. Chances are that a rock/metal drummer of his age would be much more familiar with that material than anything after that.
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I doubt it, but who knows, I expected new album sooner this time. Even if the theme was career spanning (like it should be for a 50th anniv), I doubt they would have played more than 2 songs. It's just the perfect opportunity to combine the theme with their usual way of following up a new album tour with Hits/History tour. Announcing such a tour, I think there's a chance they knew that Nicko will retire since last year.
 
I hope lovely Nicko enjoys his semi-retirement. We heard the news 5 seconds before starting to record our Maiden podcast. As ever, his timing is perfect.
 
Starblind said:
have you seen Samurai Eddie rises his sword to Nicko and then bows down, very cool:
(around 1.29.00 mark)

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Awesome. And Samurai Eddie is one of Nicko's favorites.


In other thoughts: If the band wants to record another new album (with Nicko), they should probably do it/the best will be to be very soon after the tour, when Nicko is in touring shape. Next year (early) and put it in the vault for 2 years like SJ. But will Nicko want to record in the studio without fills?
 
I am sure they will do some unannounced warm up gigs to "break in" Simon over the next few months.

And what an opportunity for him even if he only does one tour! Will be dining out on the stories forever.....
 
It's damn sad that Nicko had to leave at this time, I know and understand the surroundings and why, of course, but it's really damn shame he can't play on the 50th anniversary tour. Really hope the best for Nicko and that he can enjoy the retirement days fully.
It must have been awefully hard and also easy decision to do...but it will still be pretty weird going to the show without Nicko.
Anyways, Im confident that they wil go on with Simon and that the next tour goes on as it should be. Whatever happens then..it will be revealed later.
I've been thinking alot of this lately and I've even seen dreams of this on the 2 nights in row. Infinite Dreams!

I hope to see Nicko write memoir, a biography or do some extensive interviews on his whole trip, career and stuff that has happened. I would really like to read how it all went and how this all affected him.
 
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Not necessarily. He wouldn't have to manage everything alone but in a team and that could also be connected with the promo/spokesperson aspect.
 
DorotheaMe said:
Not necessarily. He wouldn't have to manage everything alone but in a team and that could also be connected with the promo/spokesperson aspect.
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An announcement from Iron Maiden's Tour manager:
After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy…

Tomorrow's announcement from Iron Maiden:
Iron Maiden are delighted to announce that stepping in behind the desk for 2025 is a name familiar to many of our fans – Nicko McBrain

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It's like leaving an office job in a company. You give 100% for 42 years but you're forgotten the next day... without any consideration. Why announce the replacement so quickly? We all knew they would need a replacement for the next tour, it could have waited. Instead, I would have preferred a personal video from Nicko detailing his future with or without Iron Maiden. Very strange communication non-respect for him and us
 
DorotheaMe said:
How about Nicko as tour manager? I don't mean necessarily traveling with them but organizing everything?
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Why the hell would he want to do that, and let's just say he isn't, by how he is portrayed, somebody who should be a tour manager.
Nicko deserves time to drive around in his cars between golf courses and playing the occassional event here and there, if that is what he wants to do.
 
The_clairvoyant said:
It's like leaving an office job in a company. You give 100% for 42 years but you're forgotten the next day... without any consideration. Why announce the replacement so quickly? We all knew they would need a replacement for the next tour, it could have waited. Instead, I would have preferred a personal video from Nicko detailing his future with or without Iron Maiden. Very strange communication non-respect for him and us
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I like that idea. A video with Nicko and Simon together when Simon would be announced for 2025, as good mates, Nicko funny as always.
 
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