"I am not working anymore mom, I'm going pro."

- Nicko McBrain

The evening with Nicko McBrain
Organized by The UK Drum Show in association with Drum One, Nicko's drum store in Manchester, this evening was one of a kind. Of course it was impossible to cover all of Nicko's career but, as expected, the evening was filled with humor, plenty of great stories from the Iron Maiden drummer about his influences, his first jobs, his first drumkits and how Pat Travers got him to play two bass drums, only because Cozy Powell played them and it looked cool.

Nicko also shares a lot of history on his drum sets and how he got to the kit he plays now. The first kit he ever bought was the Sonor teardrop, a series Sonor relaunched in 2015 at the NAMM Show. Most of his kits are still stored in the Iron Maiden warehouse somewhere in time. (Sorry, we just couldn't resist writing that.)

While Nicko has a lifetime to tell, he doesn't shy away from personal and stories from growing up and lets everybody in on even his firing by Pat Travers. Or how Joe Morello made him wanted to play drums after hearing Dave Brubeck's Take Five. Or how he talks about the major influencers on his playing: Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Ian Paice, and he even shares some thoughts on Ginger Baker.

Did you know Nicko was a carpenter for two whole days in his life, and officially still is a Mechanical Engineer? Well, he tells everything about his job-endeavours back in the days, including his big mouth that often got him into trouble. This footage covers the best and often hilarious stories from the days before Nicko McBrain became a professional drummer.

McBrainiacs

• Nicko McBrain only once used a double pedal for a recording. That was on the track Facing the Sand on Iron Maiden’s album 'Dance of Death' released in 2003.
  
• Nicko recorded two albums with Pat Travers: 'Makin' Magic' (1976) and 'Putting It Straight' (1977).
  
• Nicko went to Southgate Technical College for four years to become a Mechanical Engineer.
  
• Nicko's 2nd kit was one by George Hayman drums.

These McBrainiacs are just teasers. In the video below he shares a lot more great nerdy-drummer-things about him!

This show is a serious delight to watch! The anecdotes Nicko shares are all great insights into the life of one of the true legends in the history of music. And with Nicko McBrain, the humor just never stops, whatever topic it involves.

An evening with Nicko McBrain, hosted by Al Murray
Time Code Links on topic are below the video.


The opening

• 00:00 Introduction & Nicko's 1st beer
  
• 00:35 Nicko McBrain Opening Drum solo
  
• 16:55 A few words from Nicko
  
  Talking with Nicko
  
• 18:54 Joe Morello made Nicko start playing drums
  
• 22:46 The '5-minute wonder' his dad thought he was
  
• 23:55 Nicko's determination to play the drums
  
• 25:13 When and how Nicko became a professional drummer
  
• 32:30 Nicko's influences (spoiler: Ringo Starr is Nicko's nr 1.)
  
• 34:40 Talking the greatness of John Bonham
  
• 38:18 The true story behind Nicko's drumset [And the history of Nicko's drum sets]
  
• 41:41 Pat Travers made Nicko start playing double bass - and then fired him
  
• 47:26 Nicko explains why he plays two bass drums - and why he is not a double pedal player
  
• 55:38 Al Murray asks and Nicko explains his angled setup and his playing style
  
  Let's play some more
  
• 01:02:05 Nicko and Al Murray jamming
  
• 01:07:19 Little Aiden gets to play Nicko's kit - and rocks the place
  
• 01:10:26 Nicko plays Iron Maiden's Where Eagles Dare from 'Piece of Mind' (1983)

The song that made Nicko want to play the drums
Yes, it is Jazz, and it is Dave Brubeck's Take Five with Joe Morello on drums. This Spotify sample even has the drum solo that motivated 10-year old Nicko to get some knives from the kitchen and start beating the pots and pans.



Nicko McBrain plays

• Sonor drums
  
• Paiste cymbals
  
• Remo drumheads
  
• Vic Firth 'Nicko "Boomer" McBrain' signature series drumsticks

"I've gotten lazy and I went [sitting] lower during the years.
Posture behind the drums is really important. It is a balance. You have to think about how it is going to affect you in the long run."

- Nicko McBrain

Related Nicko news & videos

Nicko McBrain demos his Paiste Treasures
Iron Maiden drummer reveals his cymbal stories

Nicko McBrain reveals his new Sonor drums
Iron Maiden-drummer back with Sonor after 22 years

More Nicko McBrain on our YouTube/Drummerszone channel
▶ Nicko McBrain introduces his Paiste Treasures cymbals
▶ Nicko McBrain demos his Paiste Treasures cymbals
▶ Nicko McBrain - Interview Blooper at NAMM
▶ Nicko McBrain reveals his new Sonor drums
▶ Nicko McBrain returns to Sonor Drums
▶ Nicko McBrain's Treasures - NAMM Recap
▶ Paiste Nicko McBrain Alpha Boomer cymbals - NAMM 2012