Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain was paralysed by a stroke months before the band started rehearsals for their new tour.
Speaking for the first time about his health scare, the 71-year-old told fans on Thursday (03.08.23) he feared his career was over after he lost movement on the right side of his body in January.
He said in a video statement on his Instagram – made after 10 weeks of “intense therapy” ahead of his group’s ‘The Future Past Tour 2023’: “The reason I’m writing to you all today is to let you know of a very serious health problem that I have been through.
“In January I had a stroke, thank the Lord it was a minor one referred to as a TIA (transient ischaemic attack.)
“It left me paralysed… with the love and support from my wife, Rebecca and family, my doctors, especially Julie my OT (Occupational Therapist), and my Maiden family I was able to bounce back to somewhere near 70 per cent recovered.
“I feel it’s important to let you know about this now instead of earlier as I was mainly concerned with doing my job and concentrating on getting back to 100% fitness.
“I’m not there yet but by the grace of God I’m getting better and stronger as the weeks go by.
“Thank you all for a most wonderful and magical tour so far, you have all been so amazing.
“Well that’s it from me. God bless you all, stay safe and well and I look forward to seeing you all somewhere in time.”
Iron Maiden’s manager Rod Smallwood added in a caption on the video post: “The rest of the band and l think that what Nicko has been able to achieve since his stroke shows incredible belief and willpower and we are all very proud of him.
“With this new and musically very complex set to learn ahead of him, he just got his head down and concentrated on recovery.
“We honestly did not know if he would be able to play a whole show until band rehearsals started in May and there was just so much support for him from the band and then genuine relief for all when we saw he was going to be able to do it.
“Nicko being Nicko he did not want to make a fuss and cause any distraction to the tour at the time but, now that he is sure he will soon get there, he thought you fans should know straight from him rather than by any rumours.
“We are all, of course, delighted he battled through this so well and look forward to many more tours together starting with the three western Canada shows and Power Trip in California coming up in a couple of months’ time.
“We can’t wait. This tour is that good.”
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