On December 7, 2024, Iron Maiden’s drummer, Nicko McBrain, announced…

On December 7, 2024, Iron Maiden’s drummer, Nicko McBrain, announced…

 

On December 7, 2024, Iron Maiden’s drummer, Nicko McBrain, announced his retirement from live performances after 42 years with the band. This announcement was made just before his final concert with Iron Maiden in São Paulo, Brazil. During the event, lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson paid tribute to Nicko, celebrating his extensive contribution to the band. Despite stepping back from touring, Nicko expressed his continued involvement with Iron Maiden in various other projects and excitement for future endeavors. Band manager Rod Smallwood acknowledged Nicko’s significant impact and hinted that Nicko’s successor would be revealed soon. Nicko’s decision to retire stems from multiple health challenges, including a stroke in 2023 which left him partially paralyzed, but he shared gratitude for his recovery progress with support from his family and colleagues. Iron Maiden continues to cherish Nicko’s legacy, affirming he remains a part of their family.

 

Following Nicko’s retirement, Iron Maiden announced that Simon Dawson, a drummer from Suffolk, will be joining the band for their upcoming world tour, which starts in May 2025.

 

In addition to the lineup change, Iron Maiden has announced their “Run For Your Lives” World Tour for 2025/26, marking 50 years since the band’s formation. The tour will feature a setlist drawn from their career-defining early decades and promises their greatest show ever.

 

The tour is set to begin on May 27, 2025, in Budapest, Hungary, and will include 27 performances across Europe, including a concert in Madrid, Spain, on July 5, 2025. Tickets for the Madrid concert went on sale on September 24, 2024.

 

The tour will also include performances in the UK and Ireland in June 2025, with tickets available from September 27, 2024.

 

The band has also announced additional concerts in Berlin due to high demand. The exclusive pre-sale for their “Run For Your Lives World Tour” began on a Wednesday morning and was extremely successful. The tour includes concerts in five German cities: Gelsenkirchen, Bremen, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Berlin, as well as one in Vienna. Tickets for the best seats were sold out within 2 hours, but regular standing tickets are still available. The additional event in Berlin will take place on July 30, 2025, at the Waldbühne, a smaller open-air stage with a capacity of 22,000 people. The tour promises spectacular shows with the best songs from Iron Maiden’s early years and a unique live experience for the fans, as frontman Bruce Dickinson announced. Anyone who has not yet seen the band live is encouraged not to miss this opportunity.

 

In other news, Paul Di’Anno, the original vocalist of Iron Maiden, passed away earlier this year at the age of 66. Paul’s contribution to Iron Maiden was immense, and his passing is a significant loss to the music community.

 

Additionally, Tom Morello, a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominating committee, has expressed his determination to get Iron Maiden inducted, considering their omission an “egregious oversight.” Despite Iron Maiden’s eligibility since 2005 and having been considered twice, voters have not inducted them. Lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson has previously expressed disdain for the Hall of Fame, indicating he would refuse induction. Morello expressed his dedication to pushing for Iron Maiden’s induction out of deep respect for their legacy in the metal genre.

 

Iron Maiden’s legacy continues to grow as they adapt to changes and honor their past while looking forward to future endeavors.