Iron Maiden Announce New Drummer To Replace Nicko McBrain
Iron Maiden have announced a new drummer after the recent departure of the long-serving Nicko McBrain. The metal icons have revealed the newest addition to their line-up is Simon Dawson, who plays in British Lion, the hard rock project of Iron Maiden founder Steve Harris.
Dawson first joined the band as it solidified during the making of Harris’ 2012 solo album also titled ‘British Lion’. He played on three tracks on that album, and performed as a band member on their 2020 album The Burning.
The Suffolk-born drummer will join Maiden for their 2025 Run For Your Lives tour, which begins in Budapest, Hungary on 27 May. Visit the band’s official website for further information about the upcoming tour.
Iron Maiden wrote on Instagram: “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.
Dawson has big shows to fill as Nicko McBrain first joined Iron Maiden in 1982, replacing Clive Burr and going on to play on all of their albums from Piece Of Mind through to Senjutsu. He did, however, suffer a minor stroke, or transient ischaemic attack, in January 2023 which left him partially paralysed on his right side from the shoulder down.
As their ‘The Future Past’ world tour draws to a close, McBrain confirmed that the show on 7 December in Sao Paulo, Brazil was his last with the band – his decision being that of taking “a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle”.
On social media, McBrain wrote: ““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, December 7, Sao Paulo will be my final gig with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success moving forward.”