Iron Maiden’s Niko McBrain Speaks Out Following Stroke - Noise11.com
Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden performed at Rod Laver Arena on Monday 9 May 2016. Iron Maiden are touring Australia as part of the Book Of Souls World Tour.

Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden performed at Rod Laver Arena on Monday 9 May 2016. Iron Maiden are touring Australia as part of the Book Of Souls World Tour.

Iron Maiden’s Niko McBrain Speaks Out Following Stroke

by Paul Cashmere on August 4, 2023

in News

Iron Maiden’s drummer Nicko McBrain has spoken out for the first time since suffering a stroke in January.

In a post to Iron Maiden socials, Nicko writes:

Hello Boys and Girls,

I hope this message finds you all well!

The reason I’m writing to you all today is to let you know of a very serious health problem that I have been through. In January I had a stroke, thank the Lord it was a minor one referred to as a TIA. It left me paralyzed on my right side from my shoulder on down, of course I was very worried that my career was over but with the love and support from my wife, Rebecca and family, my doctors, especially Julie my OT (Occupational Therapist), and my Maiden family I was able to bounce back to somewhere near 70% recovered. After 10 weeks of intense therapy it was almost time to start rehearsals for our tour. I feel it’s important to let you know about this now instead of earlier as I was mainly concerned with doing my job and concentrating on getting back to 100% fitness. I’m not there yet but by the grace of God I’m getting better and stronger as the weeks go by.

Thank you all for a most wonderful and magical tour so far, you have all been so amazing.

Well that’s it from me. God bless you all, stay safe and well and I look forward to seeing you all somewhere in time.

Nicko

Iron Maiden Manager Rod Smallwood also posted, adding:

“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!”

“Nicko being Nicko he did not want to make a fuss and cause any distraction to the tour at the time but, now that he is sure he will soon get there, he thought you fans should know straight from him rather than by any rumours!”

“We are all of course delighted he battled through this so well and look forward to many more tours together starting with the three Western Canada shows and Power Trip in California coming up in a couple of months time. We can’t wait! This tour is that good!”

Iron Maiden will perform at Power Trip at Indio, California on Friday October 6 with Guns N’ Roses. October 7 is AC/DC and Judas Priest. October 8 is Metallica and Tool.

Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here

Be the first to see NOISE.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11.com

Related Posts

Spaceballs 2
Mel Brooks is Making ‘Spaceballs 2’ After 38 Years

38 years after his hilarious Star Wars spoof ‘Spaceballs’, Mel Brooks has announced a sequel ‘Spaceballs 2’ is coming in 2027.

2 days ago
Paul Weller photo by Ros O'Gorman
Check Out Paul Weller Covering The Bee Gees ‘I Started A Joke’

Paul Weller has released his version of the Bee Gees 1968 classic ‘I Started A Joke’ from his upcoming ‘Find El Dorado’ album.

2 days ago
Fred Loneragan Machinations 1984
Fred Loneragan Doesn’t Rule Out A Fourth Machinations Album

In the 1980s, Machinations released three albums ‘Esteem’ (1983), ‘Big Music’ (1985) and ‘Uptown’ (1988). Singer and co-founder Fred Loneragan isn’t ruling out the possibility of a long overdue fourth album for 2026.

3 days ago
Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden in Melbourne 6 Sept 24 photo by Jason Rosewarne
Bruce Dickinson To Appear in ABBA Horror Movie ‘Bjorn of the Dead’

Bruce Dickinson is starring in 'Bjorn of the Dead'. Dickinson has been cast in the new movie that centres on an ABBA tribute band who find themselves trapped in a nightclub at the beginning of the apocalypse.

7 days ago
Belinda Carlisle Once Up A Time In California
Belinda Carlisle Premieres Hollies Cover Ahead of ‘Once Upon a Time In California’ Album

Belinda Carlisle is leading her first album since 2017, ‘Once Upon a Time In California’, with her cover of The Hollies ‘The Air That I Breathe’.

June 6, 2025
Madonna To Release ‘Ray of Light’ Era ‘Veronica Electronica’ Album

Rare and Unreleased Madonna remixes from the ‘Ray of Light’ era will finally be released as the ‘Veronica Electronica’ album.

June 6, 2025
Morten Harket of a-ha photo by Serge Thomann
Morten Harket of A-ha Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis

Morten Harket of A-ha has shared the news that he is battling Parkinson's disease.

June 5, 2025