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Is Nicko McBrain OK? Iron Maiden drummer opens up on stroke that left him paralyzed just months before tour rehearsals

The 71-year-old defied the odds, undergoing 10 weeks of intense therapy, and returned to the stage for 'Iron Maiden's The Future Past Tour' 2023

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Iron Maiden's legendary drummer Nicko McBrain shared the harrowing experience of suffering a stroke that left him paralyzed on the right side of his body, mere months before the band was set to start rehearsals for their highly anticipated tour. The 71-year-old musician went through ten weeks of intense therapy and returned to the stage for 'Iron Maiden's The Future Past Tour' 2023.

"The reason I'm writing to you all today is to let you know of a very serious health problem that I have been through," the drummer said in a statement posted on Twitter. "In January I had a stroke, thank the Lord it was a minor one referred to as a TIA (transient ischaemic attack). It left me paralysed... with the love and support from my wife, Rebecca and family, my doctors, especially Julie my OT (Occupational Therapist), and my Maiden family I was able to bounce back to somewhere near 70% recovered."

Is Nicko McBrain OK?

"I feel it's important to let you know about this now instead of earlier as I was mainly concerned with doing my job and concentrating on getting back to 100% fitness," McBrain continued. "I'm not there yet but by the grace of God I'm getting better and stronger as the weeks go by. Thank you all for a most wonderful and magical tour so far, you have all been so amazing. Well that's it from me. God bless you all, stay safe and well and I look forward to seeing you all somewhere in time," he added.

Iron Maiden commenced their 2023 tour in May, a mere four months after McBrain's stroke. The renowned heavy metal band originated in east London during the 1970s, and McBrain became a member of the group in 1982.

'Nicko did not want to make a fuss and cause any distraction to the tour'

The group's manager, Rod Smallwood, added that everyone was "very proud" of McBrain. He said, "The rest of the band and l think that what Nicko has been able to achieve since his stroke shows incredible belief and willpower and we are all very proud of him. With this new and musically very complex set to learn ahead of him, he just got his head down and concentrated on recovery. We honestly did not know if he would be able to play a whole show until band rehearsals started in May and there was just so much support for him from the band and then genuine relief for all when we saw he was going to be able to do it!"

Smallwood continued, "Nicko being Nicko he did not want to make a fuss and cause any distraction to the tour at the time but, now that he is sure he will soon get there, he thought you fans should know straight from him rather than by any rumours!" He added, "We are all of course delighted he battled through this so well and look forward to many more tours together starting with the three Western Canada shows and Power Trip in California coming up in a couple of months time. We can’t wait! This tour is that good!"

'Warrior & legend!'

Fans took to Twitter to express their excitement and supported the drummer after his recent stroke. One fan wrote on Twitter, "Imagine playing to the level he has been on tour just a few months after a stroke that left him partly paralysed. What a legend." Another wrote, "Incredible. That is a proper drummer!" A third wished, "Up the irons sir. Wishing you a full recovery - please take care of yourself." "Warrior & legend! Best wishes with your continued recovery Nicko," said a fourth. A fifth said, "Nicko I'm so sorry that you went through this my friend! As a long time fan of yourself, and the band. I am so glad that the Lord was able to heal you from this as quickly as possible. I will be praying for you brother to get back to 100 percent as you've stated in this video. God bless you!!! I now am making it my mission to see you all again on the next leg of your tour in the US."