Simon Dawson is the new drummer

matic22 said:
1. Because of the Run For Your Lives sales. I am almost sure that they announced the tour early, so Nicko's touring retirement wouldn't interfere with ticket sales. They hid that as well as they could and they succeeded.

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Yes, it worked. I know several younger extreme metal fans who mainly bought tickets because they believed 2025 would be Nicko's last tour and they wanted to see him once.
 
TaaviMaiden said:
? The members here write they don't believe Maiden/Nicko would be so unprofessional. That is the opposite.
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I am not specifically talking about this forum but in other maiden related websites in general (although I have also seen comments along those lines here over the weekend).
 
Azas said:
It would be very nice, if they would release some song, live in the rehearsal studio, where the band is playing with the new drummer. To prevent further speculations.
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Seriously?

Message from Rod Smallwood:

"Happy Holidays everyone from Eddie and the boys! Since there are those on some unofficial Maiden fan board who doubt our decision to bring Simon on board we've decided to release a special, new studio recording of 'Run to the Hills' for everyone's critique. We will then set up a poll on our website where fans around the world can vote if we should keep him or dump him and find someone else. And as a bonus if enough of you don't like how Bruce sounds on this song these days we can replace him, too."
 
I fail to understand what's wrong with seeing the new guy "in action" with the band. It's opposite, its proper introduction.
 
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btx109 said:
There is nothing weird or outdated about a British heavy metal band who've always celebrated being a British heavy metal choosing a Brit as their new member.

The contemporary de-emphasis on culture and history is what's weird. Tradition and roots are important to many cultures globally. Nick's replacement was never going to be an outsider unfamiliar with the band or their heritage.
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Then we have a different opinion. I don't believe that you can only honour/know a culture, history/heritage, roots and contribute when you were born with a specific nationality.
 
Melony said:
There must have been a plan B. Everything else would be totally unprofessional and irresponsible.

To be honest, I thought his playing would have improved more this year than it actually had compared to so soon after his stroke.
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I am sure Nicko himself worked very, very hard. If he had the best medical advisers at least for me remains an open question, sorry.
 
Melony said:
I could only believe such a late, sudden decision if something significant had happened last week. Otherwise I would find such planning too unusual.
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Happened? You mean a medical crisis, side effects from his medication? But I know we most likely will not find out.

Except Mr. Lazarus has information on it.
 
btx109 said:
At this point in their career, Iron Maiden has earned the right to do whatever they believe is right for them as individuals and for the band itself.

We are very, very fortunate to have them still performing with a massive road show at a very high level of musicianship and organizational professionalism. They stand alone at the top of the mountain. None of their peers, with the exception of Rush, can boast of a career as long with the same core members continually weathering all of the changes in the industry. Styles, tastes, business practices, audiences have all shifted and changed and they still are out there smashing arenas and stadiums on their own terms. It is a helluva success story and we are lucky to bear witness to it.

Selfishly, I preferred Lazarus to assume the drum throne but from a business as well as musician POV I get the decision. Maiden has always operated as a close-knit family. Dawson has played with Steve for twelve years in British Lion and he's going to be "the new guy!" Same as Nicko was, same as Janick; the band and management know him, have observed him, played/jammed with him. Getting on personally with a bandmate at this stage of their lives is more important than choosing someone with the greatest chops. And I am completely unfamiliar with Simon as a musician; for all I know, he may be as talented as anyone out there. But we knew that the new drummer would be British, familiar with the band - especially Steve, more likely to be mature and not young, experienced and not an outsider or a big name. It all lines up.

Look; Nicko is a FANTASTIC drummer. Plays many unorthodox patterns and fills compared to most heavy metal drummers. Has a groove to his playing along with the classic galloping rhythm that is a hallmark of Maiden's classic songs. Great technical drummer. Simon has incredibly large shoes he's stepping into.

It was obvious that as beloved Nicko is by us all that he was nearing his end as far as being able to maintain his, and the band's, standard of performance. For him to come back as well as he did from a debilitating stroke is the stuff of legend.

I've loved Maiden since 1982 or thereabouts. I can't wait to see what they sound like with Simon Dawson on the upcoming "Run For Your Lives" tour and hopefully beyond.
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Great post.
 
Strings74 said:
If I can live through seeing the mighty Iron Maiden play the 800 capacity Birch Hill Nightclub in Old Bridge New Jersey in 1994 a mere 6 years after the glorious Seventh Tour of a Seventh Tour with some guy named Blaze Bailey, I assure you all we will get through Nicko's retirement.
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Ah, the good old "we want to update our sound to the current decade, and play for a tenth of the audience we used to half a decade ago"... Maiden got good, they'll live.
 
Simon's drum kit is small but I don't see why he couldn't change it for Maiden.

And while all that is prepared, the contract with the big star is being finalised and Rod laughs about Lazarus' rants and how Lazarus really believed his son had a role in Steve's masterplan. ;)

Ok, I admit that would be very surprising but aren't there also interviews (from the time Senjutsu was released) where band members say Steve likes surprising the fans?
 
Terry1958 said:
Do you know what kind of connection? That would be extremly sensitive information.
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It's just based on my experience after being a member of the FC for more than a decade. You kind of get an idea who is better connected than others.
 
The fact they have a new drummer gives me hope the RFYL tour wont be the last. Or at least it will last a while. If it was the last surely Nicko could have one more decent tour in him.
 
Terry1958 said:
Simon's drum kit is small but I don't see why he couldn't change it for Maiden.
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I hope he uses at least a very similar kit to Nicko's. I know it would be hard for him to adapt specially for things like the ride placement but it doesn't need to be exactly the same, just in the same vein, because as I said before it really feels like a part of the stage show for Maiden.
 
Amazing how someone says, that Nicko decided it this week and people believe it. I don't believe it that Nicko would just say I know you guys planned this awesome 50th anniversary tour, but I don't feel like doing it. Out of respect for band mates and Maiden organization he definetly gave his decision about his retirement months in advance so guys could be prepared for this and for future (tour).
And other, as someone said, majority of the ticket buyers don't buy tickets because of Nicko/most longstanding lineup. Stadiums are sold out because of the tour name/theme - 50th anniversary, Iron Maiden, Fear of the Dark, Run for your lives!
 
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