Drummer Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden claims that the band implemented a new rule to deal with his declining playing ability.
He had a stroke in January 2023 that left him with partial paralysis, but after months of rigorous physical treatment, he was able to resume his activities.
during some questioning from fans during a few of their summer tour performances that year, McBrain, now 72, said he had been left with some limits in his performing skills, but he thought he was at seventy percent at the time.
During a recent performance in Pompano Beach, Florida, he admitted to the audience that last year was difficult for him and his side project Titanium Tarts (see the video below).
He acknowledged: “And it’s not the old Nicko—not by a long stretch. Well, it’s a part of me, at least. Steve Harris and the other men in my band, bless their hearts, turn around and say, “If you can’t do something in a song, we just won’t do that song.”
He continued by using the song “Caught Somewhere In Time” from the 1986 album Somewhere in Time as an example, which was able to get around the new regulation thanks to some creative thinking on Harris’s part.
“There’s a midway portion here; the record just has snare drums. I’m not able to play it,” McBrain said. “Those of you audience nerds will say, ‘He didn’t do the drum fill!'” That’s why, exactly: I just can’t! .. When Steve turned to face me, I replied, “All right, I have a thought.” I played it for him and he said, “No,” if I do the double on the snare. Do you have any further questions?
“Yeah, I’ll play it on the cymbal,” I said. No. Do you have any further questions? I’m exhausted, buddy. .. He considered it for approximately thirty seconds.and he’s going, ‘Why don’t you play it straight?’
“I went, ‘You’re a fucking genius, Harry!’ And there’s me, the drummer,
