As 2025 winds down, longtime Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain has admitted he’s caught between pride, exhaustion, and uncertainty — revealing mixed emotions about the possibility of retiring after decades behind the kit. His confession has sparked concern, speculation, and deep admiration among fans worldwide.
McBrain, a staple of Iron Maiden’s thunderous rhythm section for decades, admitted that the physical toll of drumming at the highest level is starting to hit him hard. In a candid reflection on the band’s 2025 year in review, he admitted that while he still loves music and performing, “my arms, my back, my wrists — they’re feeling what sixty-plus years feels like.” He says he’s proud of what he’s accomplished, but knows that there may come a time when “the drums fight back harder than I can.”
That inner conflict — loyalty to the music and awareness of aging bones — has left him unsure. He hasn’t committed to a full retirement, but he also said he’s “not promising another five years either.” For Iron Maiden and their fans, that ambiguity hits especially hard.
McBrain also reflected on how much has changed in rock and metal over the decades — from the raw, underground gigs of the ’80s to the spectacle-laden stadium tours of today. He acknowledged being grateful for the ride: the fans, the records, the concerts, the legacy. But he also lamented that the physical demands have only increased. “We used to play clubs,” he said. “Now we’re playing arenas. And my body doesn’t always move the same way it used to.”
Despite the uncertainty, McBrain vowed that if — and when — he steps away from full-time drumming, he’ll do it on his own terms. He emphasized that he doesn’t want to be the guy who shows up past his prime just for nostalgia: “I’d rather stop while it still feels right than hang on until people start checking their watches.”
Fans and fellow musicians have already responded with an outpouring of support, admiration, and respect. Many acknowledge that McBrain has been a backbone of Iron Maiden’s sound. Others have expressed concern for his health, while some started speculating about who might succeed him if — or when — he steps down. However, almost all seem certain of one thing: whenever McBrain decides to hang up his sticks, it will be a moment of massive significance.
For now, Iron Maiden soldiers on — but with one of their founding rhythm keepers openly questioning whether the road ahead is as long as it used to be. And if McBrain’s confession has done anything, it has reminded fans everywhere that even legends age — and sometimes the hardest gig is knowing when to walk off the stage.
