For the first time in over two decades, Iron Maiden has undergone a major lineup change. Bassist Steve Harris has spoken candidly about the departure of longtime drummer Nicko McBrain, marking the band’s first member switch since 1999.
Harris explained that McBrain’s exit was ultimately unavoidable after the drummer’s ongoing health battles. “To be honest, we didn’t really have a choice and had to make the change after Nicko suffered his health issues,” Harris revealed in a conversation with Rock Candy Magazine. “It was what it was, and we had a decision to make as to whether we wanted to carry on or not. Obviously, we had a tour booked at the time that it happened, and the rest of us all wanted to continue. But ultimately, after we got through all that, it was Nick’s decision to step away, and we all respected the fact that he’d decided to do that.”
Despite the change, Iron Maiden has no intention of slowing down. Harris emphasized that the band remains committed to carrying McBrain’s legacy forward on stage. His departure follows a stroke in 2023 that impacted his ability to perform at full strength. McBrain’s final show with the group was an emotional night at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil, on December 7, 2024. He has since been replaced by Simon Dawson, who had previously collaborated with Harris in British Lion.
The transition hasn’t dulled Iron Maiden’s fire. The band has kept its momentum with a full slate of international stadium shows, where fresh crowds continue to gather. Harris noted an interesting trend—while longtime fans remain dedicated, there’s a growing wave of younger audiences discovering the group’s music. “In general, we haven’t done much at all. And yet all the same, nowadays we’re seeing a lot of younger people coming to gigs, which means that it’s happened naturally,” he said.
For Harris, the explanation is simple: Iron Maiden’s music has been passed down through generations. “I presume it’s because people pass down their musical tastes to their sons and daughters — or even their grandsons and granddaughters! We’re lucky that we’re able to pull people of all different ages.” With that generational bond, the band is poised to remain a live force, even as it closes one era and begins another.
