THE BEAST

IRON MAIDEN Announces New Drummer: 'A Name Familiar To Many Of Our Fans'

In a surprising yet familiar turn of events, British heavy metal titans IRON MAIDEN have revealed Simon Dawson as their new touring drummer. Dawson, a former session drummer and longtime collaborator with bassist Steve Harris in the band BRITISH LION, will take over behind the kit for 2025’s "Run For Your Lives" world tour, stepping in as a replacement for Nicko McBrain, who recently announced his retirement from touring after 42 years.

The announcement came on December 8, 2024, just after the conclusion of MAIDEN's "The Future Past Tour," which saw the legendary band perform across the globe to over 1.4 million fans, from Ljubljana to the Coachella Valley and from Western Australia to São Paulo. The band expressed their excitement in a statement, revealing that Dawson's name should be familiar to many MAIDEN fans. A native of Suffolk, England, Dawson has been part of Harris's rhythm section for the past 12 years with BRITISH LION, where he showcased his talents on both their debut album and its critically acclaimed follow-up, The Burning. Dawson has also accompanied the band on several international tours, including stops in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Mexico, and South America.

With IRON MAIDEN celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2025, the band is gearing up for an exciting year, kicking off their "Run For Your Lives" tour in Budapest on May 27th. Fans can expect to hear both classic hits and fresh material as the band continues to conquer the global stage.

The announcement follows the news that Nicko McBrain, at the age of 72, has decided to retire from touring. In an emotional statement, McBrain expressed both sorrow and joy at stepping away from the demanding life of touring after more than four decades with MAIDEN. He shared, "Touring with MAIDEN the last 42 years has been an incredible journey! To my devoted fan base, you made it all worthwhile and I love you!" Despite his retirement, McBrain made it clear that he would remain a part of the IRON MAIDEN family, continuing to work with the band on various projects while focusing on personal ventures and his businesses.

MAIDEN's manager, Rod Smallwood, also expressed gratitude for McBrain’s contributions to the band, saying, "Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the drum kit for MAIDEN for 42 years and my friend for even longer. We will miss you immensely!" Smallwood highlighted the significance of McBrain's retirement in São Paulo, where IRON MAIDEN performed two nights in front of a massive crowd, acknowledging the deep connection the band shares with Brazil.

McBrain’s departure comes after a challenging year for the drummer, who had previously battled health issues. In January 2023, McBrain suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. Although he feared his career with the band might be over, McBrain made an inspiring recovery and continued to tour. Four years earlier, he had also been diagnosed with stage 1 laryngeal cancer, which was successfully treated with surgery.

Simon Dawson’s appointment marks a new chapter for IRON MAIDEN as they prepare to honor their past while continuing to rock audiences worldwide. Fans can look forward to the band's 50th anniversary celebrations in 2025 and the exciting journey ahead with Dawson behind the drums.

For more information about IRON MAIDEN's upcoming tour dates, stay tuned to the band's official channels.