Iron Maiden have unveiled their new touring drummer, Simon Dawson, following the retirement of Nicko McBrain.
The heavy metal group have recruited bassist Steve Harris’ side band British Lion’s sticksman, who will be filling in for Nicko on their 2025 ‘Run For Your Lives Tour’.
Nicko was hospitalised earlier this year after he suffered a nasty stroke that left him paralysed on his right side from his shoulder down, and his final concert with the ‘Run to the Hills’ group was on Saturday (07.12.24) in Sao Paulo.
Introducing their new band member, Iron Maiden said: “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.
“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 and, most recently, both Mexico and South America.
“Iron Maiden celebrate their 50th Anniversary next year with the Run For Your Lives Tour starting in Budapest on May 27.”
Announcing his retirement, Nicko – who joined Maiden in 1982 – said in a statement: “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.
“Today, Saturday 7 December, Sao Paulo will be my final gig with IRON MAIDEN. I wish the band much success moving forward.
He continued: “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.
“I’ll also be working on a variety of different personal projects and focusing on my existing businesses and ventures, including The British Drum Company, Nicko McBrain’s Drum One, TITANIUM TART, and of course, Rock-N-Roll Ribs!”
Thanking their fans and his wife and children for their support, Nicko concluded: “What can I say? Touring with MAIDEN the last 42 years has been an incredible journey!
“To my devoted fan base, you made it all worthwhile and I love you! To my devoted wife, Rebecca, you made it infinitely easier and I love you!
“To my kids, Justin and Nicholas, thank you for understanding the absences and I love you! To my friends that are always there for me, I love you! To my bandmates, you made it a dream come true and I love you!
“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!’”
Nicko’s retirement from touring comes two months after the death of their original lead singer, Paul Di’Anno, who passed away in October, at the age of 66, after years of battling severe health issues.