Iron Maiden has confirmed Simon Dawson as their new drummer for the upcoming 2025 tour. The announcement follows the retirement of longtime drummer maestro Nicko McBrain. Dawson, a familiar name to many Iron Maiden fans, has been a pivotal member of Steve Harris’ side project, British Lion, for the past 12 years.
While McBrain has announced he will be stepping away from touring, he notes that he will remain closely connected to the band. He confirmed that he’ll continue to be involved in “a variety of projects” with Iron Maiden, while also focusing on personal ventures and his existing businesses.
The band made the announcement in a statement on Sunday, celebrating the conclusion of their Future Past Tour, which played to over 1.4 million fans across 81 shows worldwide. Iron Maiden revealed that Dawson would step in behind the kit for their Run For Your Lives Tour, starting in May 2025 in Europe.
The band said in their statement, “ “After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle,” McBrain shared in a statement on Iron Maiden’s website. “I wish the band much success moving forward.”
A native of Suffolk, England, Simon Dawson first collaborated with Harris in 2012. He played on the debut British Lion album, as well as the critically acclaimed The Burning. Dawson’s extensive touring history includes performances across the U.S., U.K., Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South America. In addition to his work with British Lion, Dawson has drummed for several other bands, including Deep Switch, Dvoid the Scuzz, and Airrace.
Iron Maiden’s Run For Your Lives Tour marks the band’s 50th anniversary and will kick off on May 27th, 2025, in Budapest.
Fans are eager to see Dawson bring his energy and experience to the legendary band’s stage, continuing Iron Maiden’s rich legacy as they embark on this exciting new chapter.