Former Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain recently addressed speculation about guitarist Dave Murray potentially retiring from the legendary heavy metal band. He shared his thoughts in an interview with Rock Of Nations.
McBrain’s comments focused on the physical demands of performing at their age and Murray’s personal circumstances as a new grandfather.
“Well, yeah. We’ve all been away from our families, and David’s family expanded, and Tasha, his daughter, had a little baby, baby boy, I believe. And he’s a granddad. And he’s ensconced himself in Maui with his wife, Tamar,” McBrain said. “And I talk to him about longevity and stuff and how physically demanding it is for us playing our kind of music — I think for anybody at our age playing any kind of music [is demanding], to be honest. Some are a little easier than others. I mean, we are high octane, from start to finish.”
The former drummer reflected on the band’s future and the reality of aging in the music industry.
“So, I would probably say that, in my opinion, I think that this is not likely to be the end, but I think if they do go carry on — I know 2027 is a year off for ’em, and that’s okay. That’s all great. That’s like sitting back for a year and going, ‘Oh, breathing time. Back to family.’ But that’s another year older,” he continued. “I mean, Harry [Steve Harris] will be 71. That’s okay. I mean, I was 72 [after] I had my stroke … so age catches everybody up. Father time, he’s gonna get you in the end.”
McBrain acknowledged Murray’s personal motivations while noting he hasn’t discussed retirement plans with him recently.
“I just think with Davey, he’s got more reason to wanna be at home, perhaps. I haven’t spoken to him in a couple of years about ideas of retiring. But, yeah, everybody’s got their own thoughts about that, and I can’t really speak for anybody else,” he said. “But I made my decision, and I’ve been happy about that. I do miss being on stage, looking out and seeing our wonderful fans that we have around the world. I miss that. I miss my little walks with Janick [Gers, Maiden guitarist] or on my own and meeting in a coffee shop during our days off or days of the show. I do miss that. I don’t miss the travel and living out of a suitcase. That I do not [miss].”
McBrain stepped down from Iron Maiden in 2024 after suffering a stroke. This brought his decades-long tenure with the band to an end.
The retirement speculation surrounding Murray comes amid broader concerns about the band’s demanding schedule and its impact on the aging members. McBrain’s departure marked the end of an era for Iron Maiden, as he had been a cornerstone of their sound for decades.
Metal Addicts reported that journalist Regis Tadeu found Murray misses his family deeply, can’t bear missing his grandchildren growing up, and is reportedly unhappy with the band’s intense pace. This adds weight to McBrain’s observations about Murray’s desire to spend more time at home with his expanding family in Maui.
Journalist Regis Tadeu previously said, “I have a very close source within the Iron Maiden circle. He [Maiden guitarist Dave Murray] misses his family a lot and can’t bear to see his grandchildren grow up. He’s tired. Iron Maiden isn’t just a band. It’s more than a company. It’s a monetary institution that generates money, that generates jobs. ‘Are you going to stop after 49 years of existence? Next year is 50,’ was the argument. You can’t disregard a milestone like 50 years. Do you think anyone leaves a band of this size without a termination fee?”
The timing of these retirement discussions is particularly significant given McBrain’s own journey toward stepping away from touring. Blabbermouth revealed that McBrain first planned his own retirement in 2019. He discussed it with Murray then but not in depth with bassist Steve Harris. This reveals that conversations about retirement have been ongoing within the band for several years.
Murray himself has addressed the topic of knowing when to retire from the band. Metal Addicts noted that in a recent interview with Music Radar, Iron Maiden guitarist Dave Murray emphasized that he and his bandmates will recognize when it’s time to retire. This suggests that while retirement discussions are happening, the band members are taking a measured approach to such major decisions.
McBrain performed his final show on December 7, 2024, at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil. He remains a band member despite retiring from touring. His transition away from the demanding tour schedule serves as a potential model for how other longtime members might handle their own eventual departures from active touring duties.
