Nicko McBraiN Biography

 

 

                                             Biography

   

Michael Henry "Nicko" McBrain (born 5 June 1952) is an English musician, best known as the drummer for Iron Maiden, which he joined in 1982. Prior to joining Iron Maiden, McBrain drummed for Pat Travers from 1976 to 1978, as well as the French political punk band Trust. His first formal band was The Streetwalkers, a blues band. The nickname 'Nicko' originated from when the keyboard player Billy Day introduced him as "My Italian drummer, his name’s 'Nicko'". McBrain himself states that as a child he had a stuffed animal (bear) named "Nicholas" that he always carried with him so much so that his parents began calling him Nicky also.^[1] Only when he may have been in trouble was he called by his given name.

McBrain is frequently included in top drummer league tables and rankings as a result of his very influential and skillful performances in studio and on stage. Recently, he has been ranked at No. 18 in Rhythm Magazine's 50 Greatest Drummers Of All Time.^[2]
McBrain is known for his affable joking personality, eagerness for interviews and public appearances.

In response to questions from Maiden fans,^[3] McBrain highlighted that it was 'not a coincidence' that Piece of Mind had many references to brains and minds, after he, with the surname McBrain, had recently joined the band.
McBrain has stated on recordings for the Paiste website while promoting his signature drum sticks, that he first wanted to learn drums at a young age after watching a performance of Joe Morello, which immediately led him to play drums with kitchen utensils and pots, to the dislike of his father. He then got his first drumkit and started taking drum lessons from John Ghanem. After studying engineering at City & Guilds (which his father had wanted him to complete), he was able to pursue drumming at a professional level.