Iron Maiden legend Nicko McBrain is officially telling his story. The longtime drummer has announced a brand-new autobiography titled Hello Boys and Girls!, which is scheduled for release on October 22, 2026 through HarperCollins’ Harper Nonfiction imprint.
The memoir is being described as a “thrilling, hilarious and deeply personal” look at McBrain’s life and career, tracing his journey from his early years in music to becoming one of heavy metal’s most recognizable drummers. According to the official description, the book will also dive into some of Iron Maiden’s most turbulent periods, including moments when the band faced internal upheaval and uncertainty about its future.
McBrain shared his excitement about the project in an official statement announcing the book:
“I’m very excited and honoured…”
He continued by saying the memoir will be packed with stories, anecdotes, and memories from decades spent alongside “some of the greatest musicians and performers from the ’70s, ’80s and beyond.” McBrain also said he feels “blessed” to finally share his personal journey “in my own words, with the world.”
The book’s synopsis suggests fans can expect more than a standard rock memoir. The description promises backstage chaos, honest reflections, personal struggles, resilience, and stories from Iron Maiden’s rise and survival across decades in the music industry. It also emphasizes McBrain’s trademark humor and personality, something fans have associated with him throughout his career.
The timing of the autobiography is especially notable because it arrives during a major transitional period in McBrain’s life. In recent years, the drummer has openly discussed the physical challenges he has faced following a stroke that partially affected his right side. In interviews earlier this year, McBrain admitted that he eventually reached a point where he had to accept some limitations in his playing. He explained that after years of trying to fully recover, doctors told him: “You’ve got what you got.”
Those health struggles ultimately contributed to his decision to retire from touring with Iron Maiden in late 2024 after more than four decades behind the kit. McBrain later admitted he had already been considering retirement as far back as the Senjutsu era, revealing he knew the band’s upcoming 50th anniversary run would likely be beyond his physical limits.
Even after stepping away from touring, McBrain has repeatedly stressed that he still considers himself part of the Iron Maiden family. He has continued working with the fan club, appearing at events, and staying connected to the band’s world. He also hinted in previous interviews that he could still contribute to future Maiden studio recordings “if asked.”
The autobiography is expected to cover many of those moments in greater depth, including the band’s Blaze Bayley era, Bruce Dickinson’s return, the emotional conversations surrounding his retirement, and his own evolving relationship with music and performance. McBrain recently reflected on how difficult it became physically to continue performing some classic Maiden material live, admitting that eventually “enough was enough.”
At 73 years old, McBrain remains one of the most beloved personalities in heavy metal. Since joining Iron Maiden in 1982, he has played on landmark albums including Piece of Mind, Powerslave, Somewhere in Time, and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, helping shape the sound of one of the genre’s defining bands.
With Hello Boys and Girls!, fans will finally get McBrain’s full version of the story — from life on the road and behind-the-scenes band dynamics to health battles, survival, humor, and the decades-long legacy of Iron Maiden itself.
