Nicko McBrain has discussed what might end Iron Maiden’s run, speaking on the Rockonteurs podcast.
McBrain was asked about how long the band can continue, given the age of its members. The drummer noted that all the band members are past the halfway point of 65 years old, with the youngest now 67.
“Well, the thing is all the boys are past the halfway mark of 65 years old. I mean, even the baby of the band’s now 67 this year, I think. ‘Arry’s [Steve Harris] next down from me,” McBrain said.
He pointed to the band’s upcoming plans. “I think that they just announced a North American tour next year, a couple of months in the U.S., and I think that having seen them do that, there might be time to do a new record later after that, if they do decide to do one. I personally think that they’ll go until somebody else in the band says, ‘I can’t do it anymore.’ And I can’t see that really happening at the minute because they’re still…”
McBrain also addressed the band’s approach to their music at their recent shows. “I’ve gotta admit some of the tempos of the songs [during Maiden’s recent concerts] are more where they were when they were recorded all those years ago. But I’m not saying they’re slowing down, but they’re trying to make it so they can [have] longevity. I mean, they’re all getting on now.”
McBrain announced his retirement from Iron Maiden on December 7, 2024. His comments came as he reflected on how long the remaining members might continue.
McBrain had suffered a stroke in January 2023, which left him at 70 percent recovered and paralyzed from his shoulder down on the right side. Despite the stroke, he participated in the final tour, The Future Past World Tour, before stepping back from touring. He had been candid about the challenge of drumming after his stroke, admitting he had not been able to give audiences 100 percent of his performance.
Simon Dawson, drummer for Steve Harris’s side project British Lion, took over live drumming duties. Dawson had been Harris’s rhythm section partner for 12 years and first teamed up with him in 2012, debuting on three tracks on the first British Lion album and all of the second album The Burning. McBrain remained a member of the band for studio projects after his retirement from touring.
Iron Maiden announced they would continue to celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2026 with a North American leg of their Run for Your Lives Tour, featuring songs from the band’s first nine studio albums. A European leg ran from May through July 2026, followed by a 12-gig tour of North American stadiums and arenas. The band played 91 gigs in 2026 as part of the world tour. Iron Maiden were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2026.
McBrain said he would like to record a couple of songs with Iron Maiden in the future. Bruce Dickinson wanted the band to return to the studio before heading out on their next tour, though he was uncertain whether Steve Harris shared that vision. During the band’s 2027 downtime, members planned to focus on individual projects, with Harris likely returning to British Lion and Dickinson working on his next solo album.
