Iron Maiden appoints Simon Dawson as new touring drummer

Iron Maiden have announced their new touring drummer after longtime percussionist Nicko McBrain decided to stop performing live with the band.

News of McBrain’s departure was announced on Saturday, December 7, with the 72-year-old musician announcing that he would no longer be pursuing a career in music, with Saturday’s concert at Allianz Park in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to be his final with the legendary rock band A show.

“After much consideration, it is with sadness and joy that I announce that I have decided to take a step back from the demanding touring lifestyle,” McBryan shared in a statement on Iron Maiden’s website. “I wish the band every success moving forward.”

McBrain joined Iron Maiden in 1982, replacing Clive Burr, who had performed on the band’s first three albums. Although McBrain left Trust to take up the Iron Maiden role, Burr’s sudden exit saw him take over McBrain’s newly vacated role of Trust drummer, effectively seeing the two musicians’ roles reversed.

Although McBrain has been with Iron Maiden since 1982, he is the second new member to join the band, in addition to guitarist Janick Gers, who joined in 1990.

In a statement released on Sunday, December 8, Iron Maiden have now revealed that drummer Simon Dawson will take on the drummer role for the band moving forward, having previously performed with co-founder Steve Harris on his British Lion project.

“After 81 shows for over 1.4 million fans, from Ljubljana to the Coachella Valley, Western Australia to São Paulo, and from Western Australia to Sao Paulo, Iron Maiden is pleased to announce that The back of the jersey joins a name that many of our fans will be familiar with – Simon Dawson, former drummer and Steve’s rhythm section partner for the past 12 years with British Lion,” the statement read .

“Simon, a native of Suffolk, England, first collaborated with Steve Harris back in 2012. He debuted three songs from the first British Lion album and all tracks from the second album Good reviews burningand numerous subsequent tours in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and most recently in Mexico and South America.

Although McBryan announced that he would be quitting the tour, he noted that he would remain close to the band. He confirmed that he will continue to be involved in “various projects” at Iron Maiden, while also focusing on his personal venture and existing business.

“I look forward to the future with excitement and hope! I will see you soon, may God bless you all, and of course, ‘Come on!

Iron Maiden will launch The Run For Your Lives tour in 2025 to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary. The tour will kick off in Budapest on May 27, and currently plans to hold 32 dates across Europe.