Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain reveals he suffered stroke that left him paralysed on one side
Nicko McBrain, who has been with heavy metal band Iron Maiden since 1982, said he wanted to wait to share the news on his health with fans. “Nicko being Nicko he did not want to make a fuss and cause any distraction,” the band’s manager said.
Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain has revealed he suffered a stroke earlier this year and feared his career was over after being left paralysed on his right side.
But after 10 weeks of “intense therapy”, he was “able to bounce back to somewhere near 70% recovered” as the heavy metal band began rehearsals for The Future Past Tour, which began in May.
The English musician, 71, has played all the gigs with the band, travelling across Europe for shows which included several dates in the UK in July.
He said he wanted to concentrate on performing before sharing the news about his health with fans.
As well as his statement, he also posted a video message to show his followers “how handsome and well I’m looking”.
Sharing details of his illness, McBrain said he suffered a TIA (transient ischaemic attack), also known as a mini stroke, in January, which “thank the Lord… was a minor one”.
However, he was initially “very worried that my career was over” after being left paralysed from the shoulder down on his right side.
With the support of his family and therapists, he said he was able to recover.
“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,” he wrote. “I’m not there yet but by the grace of God I’m getting better and stronger as the weeks go by.”
McBrain thanked fans for “a most wonderful and magical tour so far, you have all been so amazing”.
‘He did not want to make a fuss and cause any distraction’