A video package from the event at Allianz Parque includes backstage and on stage footage, including a salute on behalf of the band by singer Bruce Dickinson.
"Tonight is a very special night,” Dickinson told the crowd. “As some of you, I think probably all of you will know, because this morning we announced, Nicko announced that he was stepping back from playing live with Iron Maiden. So, for 42 years Nicko's been in this band. He was a drummer before I was a singer, he was a pilot before I was a pilot, and now he's not leaving the band, but he's just not playing live with us anymore.
“If you do what you gotta do out there tonight, so let him know how much he's loved everybody. So, we have a lot more music to get to tonight, and I want the rest of the night to be a celebration of Nick, a celebration of the joy that he's brought to everybody around the world, not just here in Brazil, alright. And with that, on we go."
"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,” shared McBrain on social media before the show. “Today, Sat, Dec 7th, Sao Paulo will be my final gig with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success moving forward.
"I will, however, remain firmly part of the Iron Maiden family working on a variety of projects, my long time managers, Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor, have in mind for me. I'll also be working on a variety of different personal projects and focusing on my existing businesses and ventures, including The British Drum Company, Nicko McBrain's Drum One, Titanium Tart, and of course, Rock-N-Roll Ribs!”
Read McBrain’s full statement here.
The drummer joined Iron Maiden in 1982 after the group fired Clive Burr during a tour in support of its third album, “The Number Of The Beast.”
McBrain suffered a stroke in January 2023 hat left him temporarily paralyzed on his right side from the shoulder down; after months of intense therapy, the drummer regrouped with the band for world tour dates.
Iron Maiden’s latest album is 2021’s “Senjutsu”; get your copy here.
See also:
Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain announces retirement from touring
Former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno dead at 66
Iron Maiden announce 50th anniversary world tour
Ghost score Grammy nomination for cover of Iron Maiden classic
Search Iron Maiden at hennemusic
