1. Michael Henry "Nicko" McBrain was born on 5 June 1952 and is an English musician, best known as the drummer of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden since 1982.
37 Facts About Nicko McBrain
1. 2.
Nicko McBrain is the third-longest serving member of the band, having appeared on each Iron Maiden album since Piece of Mind.
3.
Nicko 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.
4.
Nicko McBrain had his nose broken in a fight at school which left him with his trademark flat features.
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Nicko McBrain soon left to join "The Wells Street Blues Band", which renamed themselves "The Axe" in 1969, a group which played their own material.
6.
In 1973, Nicko McBrain performed on a single by Cockerel Chorus, "Nice One Cyril", on the label Young Blood.
7.
Also in 1973, Nicko McBrain played on a self-titled album by guitarist Gordon Giltrap.
8.
In 1982, the band asked Nicko McBrain to replace Clive Burr, and as news of Burr's departure had not yet been announced, Nicko McBrain made his first appearance with Iron Maiden on German TV disguised as Eddie.
9.
Nicko McBrain formed a close partnership with bassist Steve Harris, and completed what many critics consider the band's "definitive" line-up, releasing a series of gold and platinum selling albums throughout the 1980s.
10.
When he's not recording and touring with Iron Maiden, Nicko McBrain often plays with side projects including a band called Nicko McBrain Damage which played Iron Maiden covers.
11.
Nicko McBrain writes all the drum parts for Iron Maiden's songs.
12.
Nicko McBrain received only one songwriting credit on an album, for "New Frontier", from 2003's Dance of Death, which expresses his opposition to human cloning, arising from his religious beliefs.
13.
On 7 December 2024, Nicko McBrain announced his retirement from touring with Iron Maiden, with Dickinson stating that he still remains a member of the band.
14.
Nicko McBrain played his final live performance with the band that same day in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Nicko McBrain often employs the back end of his left hand drum stick to allow for more powerful "snare hits".
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Nicko McBrain 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'.
17.
In 1991, Nicko McBrain released an instructional drum video, entitled Rhythms of the Beast, which was re-released on DVD in 2010.
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The video features Nicko McBrain demonstrating his technique, and covers tuning, soloing and parts of the drum kit.
19.
In March 2024, Nicko McBrain performed in three concerts during the 52nd Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall.
20.
Nicko McBrain stated that his involvement in this cultural event was a once-in-a-lifetime honour.
21.
Since 2019, Nicko McBrain has been an International Brand Ambassador and Director of British Drum Company.
22.
Nicko McBrain is a long-time user of Paiste cymbals and currently plays British Drum Company drums, moving from Sonor Drums and having previously endorsed Premier.
23.
Nicko McBrain endorses his own signature line of drum sticks made by Vic Firth.
24.
In 2022, Nicko McBrain announced his new endorsement with the British Drum Company.
25.
In 2023, Nicko McBrain announced his switch from Remo drumheads to Code drumheads.
26.
Nicko McBrain is married to Rebecca Nicko McBrain and has two sons from his first marriage, born 1983 and 1992.
27.
Nicko McBrain converted to Christianity in 1999 after an experience in the Spanish River Church, near his Boca Raton home.
28.
In 1988, Nicko McBrain appeared as a guest on The Sooty Show, in which he played drums with Sooty and Sweep.
29.
Nicko McBrain has a pilot's licence, for which he has a twin engine rating.
30.
In 2003, Nicko McBrain was arrested prior to an Iron Maiden show in Wantagh, New York.
31.
Nicko McBrain was arrested and charged with third-degree assault and second-degree reckless endangerment.
32.
Nicko McBrain was released on an appearance ticket, allowing him to perform in the show.
33.
Nicko McBrain is a fan of snooker and has attended the World Snooker Championships at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.
34.
Nicko McBrain enjoys playing golf in his spare time, along with his bandmate Dave Murray, and is a friend of Swedish golfer and Florida resident Jesper Parnevik, whom he met at Ullna Golf Club in Sweden.
35.
Nicko McBrain is an enthusiast of Jaguar Cars, and bought a custom XKR-S model built to his specifications in 2012.
36.
In 2015, Nicko McBrain stopped drinking alcohol after seeing an interview in which he had had too much wine and has remained sober.
37.
On 3 August 2023, Nicko McBrain released a statement via the bands' YouTube page, explaining in a video that he had been unwell in January 2023.