Renowned as the drummer for the legendary heavy metal band Iron Maiden, Nicko McBrain has long been a fixture in the music world. Joining Iron Maiden in the 1980s, McBrain found his musical home and played with the band for decades. However, his life took an unexpected turn in January 2023 when he suffered a stroke at his home in Boca Raton, Florida. The path to recovery was challenging, but McBrain has slowly made his way back to music, recently opening up about the support he received from Iron Maiden.
A Public Revelation
At a recent performance at Piper’s Pub in Pompano Beach, Florida, McBrain candidly shared his health struggles with the audience. Diverting from the setlist, he addressed the crowd, saying, “I’ve gotta be honest with you, it was a touch and go last year for me. If you don’t know, TIA [transient ischemic attack] strokes aren’t fun. Some people get really bad reactions to them, like becoming paralyzed or losing their ability to speak and walk. I couldn’t play — I was paralyzed on the right side.”
McBrain continued, “When we were rehearsing last year for The Future Past Tour, we were doing ‘Caught Somewhere In Time’ to open. There’s a middle section that’s all snare drum on the record. I couldn’t play it. As you probably noticed, those of you nerds in the audience that go, ‘He didn’t do the drum fill.’ Well, that’s why, ’cause I f****** can’t do it.”
The Road to Recovery
Despite losing his ability to play music, McBrain found hope and support at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital. He credited their occupational therapy team, particularly a therapist named Julie Blum, for his recovery. “In three months, she had me playing again. And it ain’t the old Nicko, it’s not the old one by a long shot, but at least it’s part of me,” McBrain shared.
Support from Iron Maiden
Throughout his recovery, McBrain received unwavering support from his bandmates. He praised Iron Maiden for their understanding and encouragement, saying, “My band, bless their hearts, Steve Harris and the rest of the guys turn around and say, ‘If you can’t do something in a song, we just won’t do that song.’”
Progress and Perseverance
Although McBrain has returned to the stage, he acknowledges that his journey is ongoing. “I’d say I’m 85 to 90 percent back to strength, but I still have a little less dexterity with speed in my fingers. My fingers are the ones that — this is the last thing to strengthen up,” he noted.
Nicko McBrain’s story is one of resilience and determination. With the support of his band and the dedication of his medical team, he continues to make strides in his recovery, proving that passion for music can overcome even the toughest challenges.
