BRUCE DICKINSON Says Everybody In IRON MAIDEN Is ‘Perfectly Happy’ With SIMON DAWSON: ‘You Can’t Replace NICKO MCBRAIN With A Clone’
Bruce Dickinson Assures Fans: “You Can’t Replace Nicko McBrain With a Clone” – Iron Maiden Embraces New Era with Simon Dawson
When legendary drummer Nicko McBrain stepped down from touring with Iron Maiden at the end of 2024—after 42 years behind the kit—it marked the end of an era. But as the band launched its Run For Your Lives tour in 2025, frontman Bruce Dickinson has made it clear that while Nicko’s absence is deeply felt, the band is well and truly moving forward—with new drummer Simon Dawson in place. Far from being a simple replacement, Dawson brings his own style, feel, and presence to Iron Maiden’s live performance, something Dickinson says has the full support of the band.
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Transitioning Out of Nicko’s Touring Role
Nicko McBrain’s exit from the live scene was prompted by health issues. In early 2023, he suffered a stroke which left him partially paralysed. Subsequent months involved recovery, and eventually, he made the decision to retire from touring.
Importantly, his departure from the live shows doesn’t mean a clean break; McBrain remains involved in various projects with the band and its extended family.
—
Who is Simon Dawson & Why He Was Chosen
Simon Dawson is not a newcomer to the Maiden orbit. He has worked with Steve Harris’ side project, British Lion, contributing recordings and touring with that band. When McBrain’s ability to tour became uncertain, Dawson was suggested as a backup.
During the Future Past tour (before Simon was officially named), Maiden rehearsed with Dawson in Portland, Oregon. This served as a test to see whether he could deliver the material at the level required. The results impressed Dickinson and the rest of the band—he went through the entire set without a break.
What tipped the scales in his favour was not how closely he could imitate Nicko (many drummers can mimic), but that he didn’t try to be Nicko. Instead, he carried the songs with precision, a unique feel, and enough stability that the rest of the band could trust what they were hearing from the drum kit.
—
Bruce’s Thoughts: Comparing, Respecting, But Not Cloning
Dickinson has been candid about what the transition means. A few of his key observations:
Different style, same essence: He acknowledges that Simon is not a clone—not in feel, sound, or personality. He’s more understated, more analytical, tuned differently, and with a different drum sound.
Stability matters: One of the things the band has visibly appreciated is Simon’s ability to lock in tempo reliably night after night. For a band like Maiden with complex live shows, consistency is crucial.
Moments of familiarity: Despite the differences, Dickinson admits that there were times in rehearsal where Dawson’s playing evoked memories of Clive Burr, Maiden’s drummer before Nicko. This isn’t to say Simon is Clive Burr, but his natural feel has shades of that earlier era, “a swing, big-band touch” in certain moments.
Everyone in the band is happy: Dickinson emphasizes that the rest of Maiden is “perfectly happy” with Simon. The change hasn’t caused internal friction, rather it’s been embraced.
—
What This Means Going Forward
The Run For Your Lives tour has been Maiden’s first major outing without Nicko. With Simon Dawson behind the kit, the band has already shown that they can carry on, respect the legacy, and still deliver the power and showmanship Iron Maiden fans expect.
Bruce Dickinson has framed this as a “new chapter,” not a replacement of history. The songs remain the same; the spirit remains, even if the drumming has shifted. Fans who worried that Simon would simply mimic Nicko might be surprised—there is tribute in connection, yes, but also distinctiveness.
—
Legacy, Sentiment, and Respect
Nicko McBrain is more than a drummer for Iron Maiden—he’s been a visible force for decades, both musically and as part of the band’s identity. Therefore, letting go of a figure like that for live shows isn’t something done lightly. Bruce and the band have frequently expressed gratitude, admiration, and a sense of responsibility to do justice to what Nicko built.
Simon Dawson, by all indications, is not attempting to erase that legacy. Rather, he steps in respecting the material, delivering solid performance, and acknowledging that Nicko McBrain is irreplaceable—not just in sound, but as an individual.
—
Conclusion
Bruce Dickinson’s comments make clear: Iron Maiden is not trying to duplicate Nicko McBrain. They don’t want a clone—they want someone who can help them keep moving, keep performing, keep delivering. Simon Dawson seems to be doing exactly that: bringing stability, his own style, and enough reverence for the past to honor the band’s legacy. The band appears to be united, confident, and creatively alive as they carry on without one of their most iconic members in the touring role.
BRUCE DICKINSON Says Everybody In IRON MAIDEN Is ‘Perfectly Happy’ With SIMON DAWSON: ‘You Can’t Replace NICKO MCBRAIN With A Clone’
Bruce Dickinson Assures Fans: “You Can’t Replace Nicko McBrain With a Clone” – Iron Maiden Embraces New Era with Simon Dawson
When legendary drummer Nicko McBrain stepped down from touring with Iron Maiden at the end of 2024—after 42 years behind the kit—it marked the end of an era. But as the band launched its Run For Your Lives tour in 2025, frontman Bruce Dickinson has made it clear that while Nicko’s absence is deeply felt, the band is well and truly moving forward—with new drummer Simon Dawson in place. Far from being a simple replacement, Dawson brings his own style, feel, and presence to Iron Maiden’s live performance, something Dickinson says has the full support of the band.
—
Transitioning Out of Nicko’s Touring Role
Nicko McBrain’s exit from the live scene was prompted by health issues. In early 2023, he suffered a stroke which left him partially paralysed. Subsequent months involved recovery, and eventually, he made the decision to retire from touring.
Importantly, his departure from the live shows doesn’t mean a clean break; McBrain remains involved in various projects with the band and its extended family.
—
Who is Simon Dawson & Why He Was Chosen
Simon Dawson is not a newcomer to the Maiden orbit. He has worked with Steve Harris’ side project, British Lion, contributing recordings and touring with that band. When McBrain’s ability to tour became uncertain, Dawson was suggested as a backup.
During the Future Past tour (before Simon was officially named), Maiden rehearsed with Dawson in Portland, Oregon. This served as a test to see whether he could deliver the material at the level required. The results impressed Dickinson and the rest of the band—he went through the entire set without a break.
What tipped the scales in his favour was not how closely he could imitate Nicko (many drummers can mimic), but that he didn’t try to be Nicko. Instead, he carried the songs with precision, a unique feel, and enough stability that the rest of the band could trust what they were hearing from the drum kit.
—
Bruce’s Thoughts: Comparing, Respecting, But Not Cloning
Dickinson has been candid about what the transition means. A few of his key observations:
Different style, same essence: He acknowledges that Simon is not a clone—not in feel, sound, or personality. He’s more understated, more analytical, tuned differently, and with a different drum sound.
Stability matters: One of the things the band has visibly appreciated is Simon’s ability to lock in tempo reliably night after night. For a band like Maiden with complex live shows, consistency is crucial.
Moments of familiarity: Despite the differences, Dickinson admits that there were times in rehearsal where Dawson’s playing evoked memories of Clive Burr, Maiden’s drummer before Nicko. This isn’t to say Simon is Clive Burr, but his natural feel has shades of that earlier era, “a swing, big-band touch” in certain moments.
Everyone in the band is happy: Dickinson emphasizes that the rest of Maiden is “perfectly happy” with Simon. The change hasn’t caused internal friction, rather it’s been embraced.
—
What This Means Going Forward
The Run For Your Lives tour has been Maiden’s first major outing without Nicko. With Simon Dawson behind the kit, the band has already shown that they can carry on, respect the legacy, and still deliver the power and showmanship Iron Maiden fans expect.
Bruce Dickinson has framed this as a “new chapter,” not a replacement of history. The songs remain the same; the spirit remains, even if the drumming has shifted. Fans who worried that Simon would simply mimic Nicko might be surprised—there is tribute in connection, yes, but also distinctiveness.
—
Legacy, Sentiment, and Respect
Nicko McBrain is more than a drummer for Iron Maiden—he’s been a visible force for decades, both musically and as part of the band’s identity. Therefore, letting go of a figure like that for live shows isn’t something done lightly. Bruce and the band have frequently expressed gratitude, admiration, and a sense of responsibility to do justice to what Nicko built.
Simon Dawson, by all indications, is not attempting to erase that legacy. Rather, he steps in respecting the material, delivering solid performance, and acknowledging that Nicko McBrain is irreplaceable—not just in sound, but as an individual.
—
Conclusion
Bruce Dickinson’s comments make clear: Iron Maiden is not trying to duplicate Nicko McBrain. They don’t want a clone—they want someone who can help them keep moving, keep performing, keep delivering. Simon Dawson seems to be doing exactly that: bringing stability, his own style, and enough reverence for the past to honor the band’s legacy. The band appears to be united, confident, and creatively alive as they carry on without one of their most iconic members in the touring role.
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