In a recent interview on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, Nicko McBrain, the legendary Iron Maiden drummer, shared insights about his current status within the band after stepping away from touring last December. McBrain candidly explained, “Yeah, I’m not touring. There aren’t any plans that I know of regarding a new record. We discussed the possibility of creating a new album a couple of years ago, but that idea was shelved. Now, I really don’t know. We’ve all aged significantly, and we lost about a year and a half, two years due to that ridiculous pandemic. It really impacted everyone’s mental state.”

Although he has handed over his drum throne to Simon Dawson, McBrain emphasized that he remains “still part of the family.” He is actively involved with the fan club and is working on several projects, including writing a book. “I’ve been writing a book for 10 freaking years,” he remarked. “It’s about time I finished it, you know?”

Nicko McBrain Shares Insights on His Memoir and Future Prospects with Iron Maiden

Delving into the details of his memoir, McBrain elaborated, “I’ve got 21 chapters planned, with each chapter representing a year of my life, so it’s going to be quite an extensive book. Currently, I’m only up to the point where I went pro. I had a ghostwriter assist me for a while, but I’m uncertain if I will continue with that approach. I genuinely prefer to write it myself.” This personal journey promises to be both engaging and insightful for fans eager to learn more about the man behind the drums.

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McBrain has not dismissed the idea of appearing with Iron Maiden at future performances or contributing to new recordings. “It’s possible that when they come over here [to the U.S.], I might join them on stage for a song or two, or perhaps just be present,” he mentioned. “If there happens to be a new album in the works, there’s a chance I could contribute to a couple of tracks. Yeah, who knows? We’re all still part of the family, even though I’m not performing at the shows anymore.”

The Defining Moment for Nicko McBrain to End His Touring Career with Iron Maiden

After suffering a stroke in 2023, McBrain also recounted the pivotal moment when he realized it was time to stop touring with Iron Maiden. He recalled a particular performance in Sydney, Australia, where he felt it was one of his worst shows. “During the second night, I found myself really struggling on stage,” he reflected. “I remember telling Bruce [Dickinson] as we walked back to the dressing room, ‘Oh, mate. I’m really struggling up there tonight.’ He acknowledged it, looked at [me], and expressed, ‘You looked like you were struggling.’ He even admitted, ‘I was worried about your health.’

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Additionally, McBrain faced the emotional turmoil of losing a close friend who tragically drowned while Iron Maiden was preparing for their tour. “That really, really affected me,” he shared. “I experienced a lot of stress in my life at that time, which we all encounter. Each person copes with stress differently. For me, it led to a period of depression, and while I don’t want to make excuses, it was during that time that I thought, ‘Hmm, maybe it’s time. I’ll finish the tour, and then I think I’m going to hang it up.’

Currently, McBrain is back on the road, performing with his Iron Maiden cover band, Titanium Tart, for a brief tour in Florida.