Nicko McBrain’s not dead

[dinny_g]

But he is retiring…

https://www.billboard.com/music/music-n ... 235847512/

End of an era.

He rarely features in top drummers lists but he’s unbelievable IMO. Have seen him twice and he’s one of the best…

[Gavster]

Ahhhh gutted, he really is an incredible drummer. I feel like Maiden get subjected to some derision for their musical ability which is largely undeserved, and Nicko really goes under the radar. However everything about his drumming is elite and he's very clever with his use of the kit too, plus he makes it look easy. When I was learning the drums at school I was big into Maiden, and one of my friends couldn't have cared less about them. Anyway, he went to a drum show one weekend and saw Nicko do a demo. He came back into school on Monday absolutely wide-eyed saying it was the best drumming demo he'd ever seen, his mind was absolutely blown. It's really weird how some people hold Lars Ulrich up as a great drummer when Nicko makes him look like a grade 1 learner.

I'm sure I saw an interview where Nicko said he'd retire when he could no longer play a certain part of one of their songs live, I think it might have been the triples on Where Eagles Dare.

[Sundayjumper]

End of an era indeed. All good things must come to an end.

I didn’t realise he’d had a stroke. Drumming is (obviously) a very physical activity so respect for bowing out gracefully on his own terms.

I’ll go listen to Piece of Mind again. His first album with Maiden & the first Maiden album I got. I care not for arguments about which album is “best”, it was one of my formative pieces of music and remains my favourite.

[Zonda_]

They have a new drummer lined up already. I'm wondering if it's his son as he is a drummer too. Going to see them in June, won't be the same.

[dinny_g]

I loved the fact he started using a double bass pedal for Fear of the Dark I think it was. Then decided he didn’t like it and re-taught himself the beats with a single pedal. (I do hope that Maiden folklore is true)

The fact he didn’t have two bass drums or a double pedal for all of the albums up to that point shows just how good he is.

He’s funny as fuck too. If you have any early Maiden 12” singles, the B-Sides are often just him on his own in the studio talking shite

[Gavster]

[dinny_g]

Certainly sounds like he’ll still be in the studio but just not live??

[Gavster]

Yep, maybe he'll be working on studio projects with them; given how he's been in the band for about forty years, his sound is part of their DNA. Also, his drumming style is very physical, even though he makes it look easy, and Maiden often play live shows for 2+ hours so I can see how moving away from that would be a first step.

[Delphi]

It's really weird how some people hold Lars Ulrich up as a great drummer when Nicko makes him look like a grade 1 learner.

People who have no concept of timekeeping or what constitutes a good drummer maybe.

The intro to Where Eagles Dare was a definite statement of intent. I've always liked Nicko's drumming style and to be still drumming at that level in his 70's was an amazing achievement. I think he'll still be recording with the band, just not touring.

[Zonda_]

It's really weird how some people hold Lars Ulrich up as a great drummer when Nicko makes him look like a grade 1 learner.

People who have no concept of timekeeping or what constitutes a good drummer maybe.

The intro to Where Eagles Dare was a definite statement of intent. I've always liked Nicko's drumming style and to be still drumming at that level in his 70's was an amazing achievement. I think he'll still be recording with the band, just not touring.

And having lost partial feeling in his arm due to a stroke.