Though Nicko McBrain spent his early years playing with various bands, he is most widely recognized as the drummer for the legendary heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Joining the group in the 1980s, he seemed to have found his true calling, performing with them for decades. However, in January 2023, McBrain experienced a stroke at his Boca Raton home, which marked a significant turning point in his life. As he embarked on a lengthy recovery process, his life changed considerably. Recently, McBrain has talked about the support he received from Iron Maiden during this challenging time.
During a performance at Piper’s Pub in Pompano Beach, Florida, McBrain deviated from the planned setlist to talk about his health issues with the audience. He shared, “I have to be honest, it was touch and go for me last year. As many of you might know, TIA [transient ischemic attack] strokes are no joke. They can lead to severe reactions like paralysis, loss of speech, and difficulty walking. I was unable to play because I was paralyzed on my right side.”
McBrain continued, “While we were rehearsing for The Future Past Tour last year, we practiced ‘Caught Somewhere In Time’ as the opener. There’s a part in the song that’s all snare drum on the recording. I couldn’t perform it. So, for those of you who noticed the missing drum fill and wondered why, it’s simply because I can’t do it.”
With McBrain struggling to play music, he received invaluable assistance. He explained, “Luckily, Boca Raton Regional Hospital had an amazing occupational therapy program, and Julie Blum, one of the therapists there, helped me out. In just three months, she had me playing again. It’s not the same as before, not by a long shot, but it’s still a part of me.”
Regarding Iron Maiden, McBrain expressed gratitude for their support, noting that they never let his recovery hinder his connection to the band. “My band, bless them, especially Steve Harris and the rest of the guys, said, ‘If you can’t do something in a song, we’ll just skip that part.’”
Despite returning to the stage, McBrain acknowledged that he still has some progress to make. He stated, “I’d estimate I’m about 85 to 90 percent back to full strength, but I still lack some dexterity and speed in my fingers. My fingers are the last part to fully recover.”
