Iron Maiden Announce New Drummer After Nicko McBrain's Final Show

Iron Maiden name their new drummer, who will succeed Nicko McBrain.

Iron Maiden Announce New Drummer After Nicko McBrain's Final Show

Iron Maiden Announce New Drummer After Nicko McBrain's Final Show

Iron Maiden have announced a successor to recently retired drummer Nicko McBrain: Simon Dawson of Steve Harris' other band, British Lion.

The band posted the following statement to social media:

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 U.S., U.K., Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and, most recently, both Mexico and South America.Iron Maiden will launch the Run For Your Lives Tour on May 27 of next year, starting in Europe.

Nicko McBrain's Statement on Retirement From Touring

McBrain announced his retirement from touring on the morning of Dec. 7, 2024, his final scheduled performance with the band. "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," he wrote in a statement. "Today, Sat, Dec 7, Sao Paulo will be my final gig with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success moving forward."

Despite his retirement from touring, McBrain vowed to "remain firmly part of the Iron Maiden family working on a variety of projects" and expressed his gratitude for the past four decades. "Touring with Maiden the last 42 years has been an incredible journey," he said. "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!'"

Iron Maiden aren't wasting any time: After Nicko McBrain announced his departure from the band yesterday and played a final concert with the band in Sao Paulo, the mega legends named his successor on drums the very next day. It's an old acquaintance from the band's circle.

Simon Dawson already plays with Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris in his band British Lion . This means that the new drummer should be well integrated into all Iron Maiden circles, so that nothing stands in the way of the 2025 tour - presented by METAL HAMMER - and the future of the band.

Iron Maiden Announce New Drummer After Nicko McBrain's Final Show

Iron Maiden’s statement on new drummer Simon Dawson:

After 81 shows in front of over 1.4 million fans, from Ljubljana to Coachella Valley and from Western Australia to Sao Paulo, the Future Past Tour comes to an end. Iron Maiden are delighted to announce that a name familiar to many fans will be behind the drums for 2025: Simon Dawson, a former session drummer and Steve's partner in the rhythm section for the last 12 years in British Lion.

Originally from Suffolk, England, Simon first teamed up with Steve Harris in 2012, appearing on three tracks on British Lion's first album and all tracks on their critically acclaimed second album, THE BURNING, as well as on the band's many subsequent tours in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and most recently Mexico and South America.

Iron Maiden will celebrate their 50th anniversary next year with the Run For Your Lives Tour, which begins in Budapest on May 27th.