Nicko McBrain, the legendary drummer of Iron Maiden, delivered an emotional farewell performance during his last show with the band on Saturday night. This news came as a surprise to many fans, as earlier that day McBrain announced his decision to step back from the rigorous demands of the touring lifestyle. On IronMaiden.com, he expressed his mixed feelings: “After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy that I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle,” he stated. “Today, Sat, Dec 7th, Sao Paulo will be my final gig with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success moving forward.”

During the early part of the concert, lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson spoke to the audience about McBrain’s significant milestone. He said, “Tonight is a very special night, as most of you probably already know because this morning we announced that Nicko would be stepping back from playing live drums with Iron Maiden. For 42 years, Nicko has been an integral part of this band. He was drumming long before I took the stage as a singer, and he was a pilot before I even began flying. While he is not leaving the band entirely, he will no longer perform live with us. So let’s celebrate Nick tonight, honoring all the joy he has brought to audiences around the world.”

Watch Bruce Dickinson Pay Tribute to Nick McBrain

As the concert concluded with the powerful anthem “Wasted Years,” McBrain’s bandmates shared heartfelt embraces with him, while the enthusiastic crowd of 45,000 erupted into cheers, chanting his name. Overwhelmed with emotion, the drummer immersed himself in the love and support from fans, tossing out various drum heads, sticks, and arm bands, creating a memorable moment for everyone present.

Having been the band’s drummer since 1982, McBrain faced significant challenges after suffering a stroke in January 2023. Remarkably, he returned to the stage just four months later. However, he candidly admitted that he still wasn’t fully recovered and struggled with some of the band’s more complex songs. “Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to give you all 100 percent of my performance,” he shared, highlighting the reality of his situation and the adjustments that had to be made.

In a show of solidarity and support, Iron Maiden made changes to their setlists to accommodate McBrain’s condition. “It ain’t the old Nicko – it’s not the old one by a long shot,” he commented in July 2024. “But at least it reflects part of me. My bandmates, bless their hearts, including Steve Harris, agreed that if I can’t perform certain parts of a song, we simply won’t play that song.”

READ MORE: Iron Maiden Announce New Drummer After Nicko McBrain’s Final Show

Expressing gratitude for McBrain’s incredible contributions, Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood stated, “Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the drum kit for Maiden for 42 years and my friend for even longer. I speak for the entire band when I say we will miss you tremendously! …As Steve Harris often says, ‘Nicko is and will always be part of the Maiden family.’”

The show marked the conclusion of Iron Maiden’s 2024 The Future Past tour, but fans can look forward to the band’s return in May 2025 for their highly anticipated 50th anniversary Run For Your Lives tour. In an exciting announcement made early Sunday morning, the band revealed that Simon Dawson, who has been performing with Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris in British Lion for over a decade, will be stepping in as McBrain’s successor.

Watch Nicko McBrain Say Farewell at His Last Iron Maiden Show