Michael Henry "Nicko" McBrain (born 5 June 1952) is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden since 1982. Having played in small pub bands since 1966 from the age of 14, after leaving school McBrain did session work before joining a variety of artists, such as Streetwalkers in 1975, Pat Travers, and the French political band, Trust. He joined Iron Maiden (replacing Clive Burr), in time to debut on their fourth album Piece of Mind (1983), and has remained with them since, contributing to a total of fourteen studio releases, as well as being the third-longest serving member of the band.
McBrain was born in Hackney, London, and first wanted to learn the drums at a young age after watching Joe Morello performing with The Dave Brubeck Quartet on television.[1] At the age of ten, he started to play drums with pots, pans and other kitchen utensils, before, to his parents' dismay, he began drumming on the gas cooker with a pair of knives and chipped off the paintwork.[1] McBrain recalls that he was eleven or twelve before his father bought him his first drum kit, "which was basically one snare, one tom-tom, one cymbal, two drumsticks and a pair of brushes."[2] He soon started playing Rolling Stones and Beatles covers with school bands, before he began regularly playing "pubs and weddings" by the age of 14.[2]
McBrain had his nose broken in a fight at school which left him with his trademark flat features.[3] He never underwent surgery to repair his nose.
McBrain's first "proper" band was "The 18th Fairfield Walk", later known as "Peyton Bond",[4] a small pub band, which he decided was "never gonna go anywhere" as they only performed Otis Redding, The Beatles and The Who covers. McBrain soon left to join "The Wells Street Blues Band", which renamed themselves "The Axe" in 1969,[4] a group which played their own material. This band split up after an argument between the singer and the guitarist, and McBrain began playing with Billy Day, a singer and keyboardist, and Michael "Mickey" Lesley, a guitarist, in 1971.[5] At that point, he was known as "Nicky", a nickname given to him by his parents after his teddy bear, Nicholas,[1] until an intoxicated Billy Day introduced him to Dick Asher, head of CBS Records, as "Neeko", while they were recording at CBS Studios, Whitfield Street.[5] McBrain liked the name, changing it to Nicko "so that it sounded more English", and decided to keep it even after leaving the group.[6] In 1973, McBrain performed on a single by Cockerel Chorus, "Nice One Cyril", on the label Young Blood.[7]
Also in 1973, McBrain played on a self-titled album by guitarist Gordon Giltrap. This is notable not only as McBrain's album debut, but also because Giltrap in 1978 released an album called Fear of the Dark and used a font for his logo that is quite similar to the one used by Iron Maiden.[8]
In 1975, he began playing with Streetwalkers,[6] before joining Pat Travers,[9] singer Jenny Darren,[10] McKitty and then the French band, Trust,[11][9] with whom he met Iron Maiden for the first time, while touring together in 1981.[12] In 1982, the band asked McBrain to replace Clive Burr,[9] and as news of Burr's departure had not yet been announced, McBrain made his first appearance with Iron Maiden on German TV disguised as Eddie.[13] He formed a close partnership with bassist Steve Harris,[13] and completed what many critics consider the band's "definitive" line-up,[14] releasing a series of gold and platinum selling albums throughout the 1980s.[15]
While the band's line-up went through several changes during the 1990s, McBrain remained in Iron Maiden, and since the return of Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickinson in 1999 the group has undergone a resurgence in popularity,[16] and are now considered by some as "bigger than ever".[17]
When he's not recording and touring with Iron Maiden, McBrain often plays with side projects including a band called McBrain Damage which played Iron Maiden covers. In March 2017, he was a guest drummer with the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers.[18]
McBrain writes all the drum parts for Iron Maiden's songs. He received only one songwriting credit on an album, for "New Frontier", from 2003's Dance of Death,[19] which expresses his opposition to human cloning, arising from his religious beliefs.[20] He had previously received two songwriting credits for non-album tracks: 1984's "Mission From 'Arry", which was actually a recording of a backstage argument with Steve Harris, and 1992's "Nodding Donkey Blues", which were B-sides of the singles "2 Minutes to Midnight" and "Be Quick or Be Dead", respectively.
Drumming style
McBrain's drumming has been an important element of Iron Maiden's sound from 1983's Piece of Mind onwards, with guitarist Adrian Smith remarking that, "he always had the chops and the technique, but in Maiden he really exploded, to the point where a lot of stuff we did after he joined was then founded on his playing, all those busy patterns he does, displaying tremendous technique."[13] As described in detail on the band's 2004 documentary, Piece of Mind's opening track, "Where Eagles Dare", famously displays McBrain's ability to use the single drum pedal very quickly, plus his rapid tom fills.[21] In the 2008 Live After Death DVD, Steve Gadd, McBrain's then drum technician (not to be confused with the other one), comments that, on the World Slavery Tour, some drummers would refer to McBrain as an 'octopus' after witnessing the way in which his stamina gives him the ability to use all of his large signature drum kit in concert.[22]
McBrain often employs the back end of his left hand drum stick to allow for more powerful "snare hits".[23] He is known for not using a double bass pedal, with Bruce Dickinson commenting that he refused to use one on "Where Eagles Dare", considering them 'undrummerish'.[21] He claims to have only ever used a double pedal once on "Face in the Sand", from Dance of Death, preferring to use a DW 5000 Accelerator single pedal.[24] Since switching to the DW pedal in 2000, McBrain plays barefoot, stating that it gives him "more freedom."[25]
Steve Harris remarks that "...he can play all kinds of music. Drummers from other bands sit round the back of him to see what he's doing, but he's got his kit set so he doesn't even look at what he's hitting half the time".[26] After McBrain joined the band in 1982, Harris also noted how much easier playing with McBrain was for a songwriter,[27] with Adrian Smith claiming that, "Steve loves playing with him. [They] used to work for hours going over these bass and drum patterns."[13]
In 1988, McBrain collaborated with Andrew Chapman on a book entitled Iron Maiden & Nicko McBrain's Rhythms of the Beast, which was published by Warner Bros. Music in 1990. The book featured complete transcriptions of McBrain's drum work on twelve classic Iron Maiden songs, including six live versions as recorded on the band's 1985 album Live After Death. After selling internationally for several years, the book was taken out of print. Used copies are occasionally found for sale online.[28]
In 1991, McBrain released an instructional drum video, entitled Rhythms of the Beast (not related to the above book of the same name), which was re-released on DVD in 2010.[29] The video features McBrain demonstrating his technique, and covers tuning, soloing and parts of the drum kit.[30]
Awards, accolades and titles
Iron Maiden's drummer is often considered among the best and most influential heavy metal/hard rock drummers of all time.[31][32] In 2008 Nicko McBrain was inducted into Guitar Centre's Drum Legends Hall of Fame. In 2020, McBrain was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame.[33] A year later the drummer was inducted into Rhythm Magazine Hall of Fame.[34]
In March 2024 McBrain’s performances were a part of the three concerts during the 52nd Mountbatten Festival of Music (MFM) at the Royal Albert Hall. The musician joined The Massed Bands of His Majesty's Royal Marines with over a hundred musicians drawn from the five Royal Marines Bands, alongside their world-famous Corps of Drums, the spectacular concerts showcased the outstanding versatility of some of the world’s finest military performers. McBrain stated his involvement in this prestigious cultural event was a once-in-a-lifetime honor for every musician.[35]
Since 2019 Nicko McBrain is an International Brand Ambassador of British Drum Co.[36]
Equipment
McBrain is a long-time user of Paiste cymbals[37][38] and currently plays British Drum Company drums, moving from Sonor Drums and[39] having previously endorsed Premier.[40] For A Matter of Life and Death he used his Ludwig metal shell LM 402 snare drum which was purchased in 1975, making it the oldest drum in his kit.[41] He endorses his own signature line of drum sticks made by Vic Firth.[42] As of 2016, McBrain also uses Remo drumheads, Sonor hardware, an LP cowbell and a DW 9000 single pedal.[43][44]
While touring in 1986–87, he played a Sonor Phonic Plus High Tech drum kit.[45]
In 2010, McBrain used a Premier Elite drum kit.[40] In 2016, McBrain played on a Sonor SQ² Custom drum kit made of beech, with a snare drum of birch.[46]
In 2022, McBrain announced his new endorsement with the British Drum Company (or BDC).[47]
In 2023, McBrain announced his switch from Remo drumheads to Code drumheads.[48]
Personal life
McBrain is married to Rebecca McBrain (née Dempsey) and has two sons from his first marriage, born 1983 and 1992.[49][50] He lives in Boca Raton, Florida.
McBrain converted to Christianity in 1999 after an experience in the Spanish River Church, near his Boca Raton home.[49] His wife, Rebecca, had been asking him to attend with her, and upon entering the church, McBrain soon found himself crying as he experienced a "calling". Recounting the tale, he said "I just sat there thinking, 'I didn't drink last night... why can't I stand?' I had this love affair with Jesus going on in my heart."[51][52]
In 1988, McBrain appeared as a guest on The Sooty Show, in which he played drums with Sooty and Sweep.[53] In reference to his appearance on the show, McBrain's drum kit has since been decorated with a Sooty puppet, which is often dressed accordingly with the band's corresponding tours.[54]
McBrain has a pilot's licence, for which he has a twin engine rating.[55]
In 2003, McBrain was arrested prior to an Iron Maiden show in Wantagh, New York. While pulling into the venue's VIP parking lot, an attendant asked for McBrain's credentials. Following a misunderstanding, McBrain threatened to drive into the attendant, and did so twice, injuring the attendant on the second attempt. McBrain was arrested and charged with third-degree assault and second-degree reckless endangerment. He was released on an appearance ticket, allowing him to perform in the show.[56]
Since he is a lifelong enthusiast of Jaguar Cars, the manufacturer built a custom XKR-S model to McBrain's specifications in 2012.[64] In March 2018, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works revealed a customised Jaguar XJ Series III for McBrain.[65]
In 2015, McBrain stopped drinking alcohol after seeing an interview in which he had had too much wine and has remained sober to this day.[66]
In 2018, he also launched a musical instrument store named Drum One[67] in Manchester, England. The retailer specialises in drum kits and related merchandise.[68] To promote the launch of the store, McBrain conducted an interview with Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice.[69]
On 3 August 2023, McBrain released a statement via the bands' YouTube page,[70] explaining in a video that he had been unwell in January 2023. It was explained further in the video description that McBrain suffered from a stroke in January and was paralysed on his right side from the shoulder down. After 10 weeks of intensive physical therapy, McBrain was able to join the rest of the band at rehearsals in May 2023, ahead of their European leg of the Future Past World Tour. Manager Rod Smallwood also put out a statement saying that "The rest of the band and l think that what Nicko has been able to achieve since his stroke shows incredible belief and willpower and we are all very proud of him. With this new and musically very complex set to learn ahead of him, he just got his head down and concentrated on recovery. We honestly did not know if he would be able to play a whole show until band rehearsals started in May and there was just so much support for him from the band and then genuine relief for all when we saw he was going to be able to do it!"[71].
McBrain has so far performed every show on the European leg of the Future Past World Tour, and as mentioned in the update on 3 August, his recovery is continuing well. Iron Maiden's final date on the European leg is at the Wacken Open Air Festival, where they were the headlining artist.
↑ Simpson, Dave (26 July 2011). "Iron Maiden Guardian review". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 30 August 2011. "On drums ... Sooty", yells Dickinson. And sure enough, perched on Nicko McBrain's drum kit, there's a tiny bear.
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Although fluid in the early years of the band, the line-up for most of the band's history has consisted of Harris, lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson, drummer Nicko McBrain, and guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers. As pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal movement, Iron Maiden released a series of UK and US Platinum and Gold albums, including 1980's debut album, 1981's Killers, and 1982's The Number of the Beast – its first album with Bruce Dickinson, who in 1981 replaced Paul Di'Anno as lead singer. The addition of Dickinson was a turning point in their career, establishing them as one of heavy metal's most important bands. The Number of the Beast is among the most popular heavy metal albums of all time, having sold almost 20 million copies worldwide.
Stephen Percy Harris is an English musician, best known as the bassist, keyboardist, backing vocalist, primary songwriter and founder/leader of heavy metal band Iron Maiden. He has been the band's only constant member since their inception in 1975 and, along with guitarist Dave Murray, the only member to appear on every album.
Dance of Death is the thirteenth studio album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released first in Japan on 2 September and then 8 September 2003 in the rest of the world excluding North America. The album was an analogue recording.
Fear of the Dark is the ninth studio album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Released on 11 May 1992, it was their third studio release to top the UK Albums Chart, and the last to feature Bruce Dickinson as the group's lead vocalist until his return in 1999.
Piece of Mind is the fourth studio album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released on 16 May 1983 in the United Kingdom by EMI Records and in the United States by Capitol Records. It was the first album to feature drummer Nicko McBrain, who had recently left the band Trust and has been Iron Maiden's drummer ever since.
Clive Ronald Burr was an English drummer. He was a member of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden from 1979 to 1982. Together with fellow Iron Maiden member Dennis Stratton, he joined Praying Mantis for the recording of their 1996 live album Captured Alive in Tokyo City.
Edward the Great: The Greatest Hits is Iron Maiden's third "best-of album", originally released on 4 November 2002. Unlike the band's other works by the group collecting together songs from different albums, such as Best of the Beast, Edward the Great does not feature any material from the group's first two albums, which featured Paul Di'Anno as vocalist, but does include material from Blaze Bayley's five-year tenure with the band.
Raising Hell is a concert video by the heavy metal band Iron Maiden, filmed on 28 August 1993 at the Pinewood Studios in London, England and broadcast live on pay-per-view television in the United Kingdom and on MTV in North America. The video was originally distributed on VHS and Laserdisc by BMG Special Products in the US and EMI in the rest of the world. It was subsequently released on DVD several years later in the US.
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"Purgatory" is Iron Maiden's fifth single, released on 15 June 1981, and would be their last with singer Paul Di'Anno. It served as the second single from Killers. The single was reissued in 1990, on the same CD and 12" vinyl as the EP Maiden Japan, in the First Ten Years box set.
"The Number of the Beast" is a song by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It is Iron Maiden's seventh single release, and the second single from their 1982 studio album of the same name. It was reissued in 2005 and also prior to that in 1990 in The First Ten Years box set on CD and 12" vinyl, in which it was combined with the previous single, "Run to the Hills".
"Flight of Icarus" is a song by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was their eighth single, the first from their fourth studio album, Piece of Mind (1983), and their first in the United States, where it was one of their few with substantial airplay, peaking at a personal best No. 8 on the Billboard Top Album Tracks chart. It was a lesser success in the UK, peaking at No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart.
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