S Poddar
Simon Dawson Replaces Nicko McBrain
Heavy metal legends Iron Maiden are pleased to announce that drummer Simon Dawson of British Lion will join the band to play drums on their big 2025 Run for Your Lives Tour.
The announcement comes on the heels of a bittersweet farewell from longtime drummer Nicko McBrain, who officially retired from touring on December 7, after an illustrious 42-year tenure with the band. McBrain played his final show in São Paulo the same evening, marking the end of an era for Iron Maiden fans worldwide.
In a statement addressing the change, Iron Maiden confirmed that they would announce a new drummer promptly. The band stayed true to their word and revealed Simon Dawson as the chosen successor. Dawson has a long history with bassist Steve Harris, having been his rhythmic partner in British Lion for over a decade.
The band shared their excitement in a statement:
“As The Future Past Tour draws to a close with 81 shows to over 1.4 million fans, from Ljubljana to the Coachella Valley and from Western Australia to São Paulo, Iron Maiden are delighted to announce that stepping in behind the kit for 2025 is a name familiar to many of our fans – Simon Dawson, a former session drummer and Steve’s rhythm section partner of the past 12 years with British Lion.”
Hailing from Suffolk, England, Dawson’s first association with Harris occurred in 2012, when he featured on British Lion’s self-titled debut album on three tracks and returned to add his skills to the second excellent record, The Burning over the years, he toured constantly with the band across the US, UK, Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, South America, and other regions.
The Run for Your Lives Tour will celebrate Iron Maiden’s 50th anniversary, which starts on May 27, 2025, in Budapest. This is going to be a monumental tour for the band, and a big chapter in their storied career, as Dawson takes on the monumental task of filling one of metal’s most respected drummers’ shoes.
Nicko McBrain’s retirement comes after a trying time in his life. In the early months of 2023, the 72-year-old suffered a stroke that he publicly admitted had impacted his playing. He showed incredible resilience in that he recovered sufficiently to join Iron Maiden on their Future Past World Tour, which fans and colleagues alike cheered for.
Dawson’s role has been widely publicized, and fans are eagerly awaiting how his dynamic drumming style will blend with the legendary sound of the band. For Dawson, this is an extraordinary moment in his career, and he brings years of experience and deep musical chemistry with Harris.
Iron Maiden, in welcoming Dawson into their fold, demonstrate their flexibility while not forgetting the history they had made in the past. As they set out to embark on another historic adventure, excitement for the 2025 tour continues to build, promising new memories for fans and an unforgettable tribute to their enduring legacy.
