Nicko McBrain, born Michael Henry McBrain, is a British drummer best known as the powerhouse behind Iron Maiden. His net worth is estimated at $40 million, putting him among the wealthiest drummers in the world. Nicko has been part of Iron Maiden since 1982 and has stayed loyal through decades of lineup changes and world tours.
Early Life
Nicko was born on June 5, 1952, in Hackney, London, England. As a child, he loved music and copied drummers using pots and pans at home. His father later bought him a drum kit, and by age 14, he was playing Beatles and Rolling Stones songs at weddings and pubs.
Nicko earned an engineering degree from Southgate Technical College but chose music over a regular job. He joined early bands like The 18th Fairfield Walk (later Peyton Bond) and The Wells Street Blues Band (later The Axe). After The Axe broke up, he played with Billy Day and Michael Lesley and began doing session work.
In the early 1970s, he played on the single Nice One Cyril by The Cockerel Chorus and guitarist Gordon Giltrap’s album. He then toured with The Streetwalkers, Pat Travers Band, and the French band Trust, where he first met Iron Maiden.
Career with Iron Maiden
Nicko joined Iron Maiden in 1982, replacing Clive Burr. His first album with the band was Piece of Mind (1983), which went Platinum and featured the hit single The Trooper.
Over the years, Nicko recorded on more than a dozen Iron Maiden albums, including:
-
Powerslave (1984)
-
Somewhere in Time (1986)
-
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)
-
No Prayer for the Dying (1990) – featured Bring Your Daughter… to the Slaughter (UK #1)
-
Fear of the Dark (1992) – included Be Quick or Be Dead (UK #2)
-
Brave New World (2000)
-
Dance of Death (2003) – included his own song New Frontier
-
The Final Frontier (2010)
-
The Book of Souls (2015)
-
Senjutsu (2021)
Iron Maiden became one of the most successful metal bands of all time, selling millions of records worldwide. Their albums have reached #1 in multiple countries, and the band continues to headline major festivals.
Nicko also played with his side project McBrain Damage, performing Iron Maiden covers. In 2017, he appeared as a guest drummer with the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Personal Life
Nicko married Rebecca Dempsey in 1989. They have two sons, Nicholas and Justin. In 1999, Nicko became a Christian and played with his local church band.
Outside music, he is a licensed pilot and enjoys golf and snooker. He owns Rock ’N’ Roll Ribs, a restaurant in Coral Springs, Florida, which won “Best Ribs of 2012.” In 2018, he opened Drum One, a music store in Manchester, England.
In 2020, Nicko was diagnosed with early-stage laryngeal cancer. He had surgery to remove the tumor and later shared that catching it early saved his life.
Awards and Recognition
Nicko and Iron Maiden have earned numerous awards, including:
-
Grammy Award (2011) – Best Metal Performance (El Dorado)
-
Brit Award (2009) – Best British Live Act
-
Ivor Novello Award (2001) – International Achievement
-
BBC Radio Award – Greatest Metal Band of All Time
-
Classic Rock Roll of Honour – Album of the Year (A Matter of Life and Death, The Book of Souls), Band of the Year
-
ECHO Awards – Best Live Artist, Best Rock/Alternative Album
Nicko has been honored by the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame (2020), Paiste Hall of Fame (2015), BDI Hall of Fame (2005), and Guitar Center’s Drum-Legends Hall of Fame (2009).
Real Estate
In 1989, Nicko bought a four-bedroom, 3,844 sq. ft. home in Boca Raton, Florida, for $244,900. This property has been his base during breaks from touring.
Why This Matters
Nicko McBrain’s story shows how passion for music can lead to lasting success. From playing in pubs as a teen to filling stadiums worldwide, he stayed committed to his craft. His business ventures, health journey, and decades with Iron Maiden prove that hard work and consistency can create both wealth and legacy.