entertainment and media | January 24, 2026

Nicko McBrain - Net Worth, Age, Height, Birthday, Bio, Wiki!

Explore Nicko McBrain net worth, age, height, bio, birthday, wiki, and salary! Drummer in Iron Maiden. British heavy metal group Iron Maiden who first joined the band in 1982. In this article, we will discover how old is Nicko McBrain? Who is Nicko McBrain dating now & how much money does Nicko McBrain have?

NameNicko McBrain
First NameNicko
Last NameMcBrain
OccupationDrummer
BirthdayJune 5
Birth Year1952
Place of BirthLondon Borough of Hackney
Home TownEngland
Birth CountryUnited Kingdom
Birth SignGemini
Full/Birth Name
FatherNot Available
MotherNot Available
SiblingsNot Available
SpouseRebecca McBrain
Children(s)Justin McBrain, Nicolas McBrain

Nicko McBrain Biography

Nicko McBrain is one of the most popular and richest Drummer who was born on June 5, 1952 in London Borough of Hackney, England, United Kingdom. His music was inspired from His music has been influenced by Dave Brubeck..

Although he obtained a degree in engineering at Southgate Technical College at his parents’ request, upon finishing his education, McBrain paid his rent by undertaking session work, before deciding to join his first “proper” band, “The 18th Fairfield Walk”, later known as “Peyton Bond”. A small pub band, which he decided was “never gonna go anywhere” as they only performed Otis Redding, The Beatles and The Who covers, McBrain soon left to join “The Wells Street Blues Band”, which renamed themselves “The Axe” in 1969. Although this group would play their own material, the band split up after an argument between the singer and the guitarist, and McBrain began playing with Billy Day, a singer and keyboardist, and Michael “Mickey” Lesley, a guitarist, in 1971. At that point, he was known as “Nicky”, a nickname given to him by his parents after his teddy bear, Nicholas, until an intoxicated Billy Day introduced him to Dick Asher, head of CBS Records, as “Neeko”, while they were recording at CBS Studios, Whitfield Street. McBrain liked the name, changing it to Nicko “so that it sounded more English”, and decided to keep it even after leaving the group. In 1973, McBrain performed on a single by Cockerel Chorus, “Nice One Cyril”, on the label Young Blood.

Also in 1973, McBrain played on a self-titled album by guitarist Gordon Giltrap. This is notable not only as McBrain’s album debut, but also because Giltrap in 1978 released an album called Fear of the Dark and used a font for his logo that is quite similar to the one used by Iron Maiden.

He has two children along with the wife Rebecca.

The nickname was coined for him by Octopus after He was given the nickname Octopus by Tommy Lee..

Michael Henry “Nicko” McBrain (born 5 June 1952) is an English musician and drummer of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, which he joined in 1982. Having played in small pub bands from the age of 14, after graduating school McBrain paid his bills with session work before he joined a variety of artists, such as Streetwalkers, Pat Travers, and the French political band, Trust. He joined Iron Maiden in time to debut on their fourth album (replacing Clive Burr), Piece of Mind (1983), and has remained with them since, contributing to a total of thirteen studio releases.

Nicko McBrain Net Worth

Nicko is one of the richest Drummer from United Kingdom. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Nicko McBrain's net worth $30 Million. (Last Update: January 13, 2024)

He began playing the drums at the age of ten years old. McBrain began his career as a session drummer and then joined Iron Maiden.

Net Worth$30 Million
SalaryUnder Review
Source of IncomeDrummer
CarsNot Available
HouseLiving in own house.

Steve Harris remarks that “…he can play all kinds of music. Drummers from other bands sit round the back of him to see what he’s doing, but he’s got his kit set so he doesn’t even look at what he’s hitting half the time”. After McBrain joined the band in 1982, Harris also noted how much easier playing with McBrain was for a songwriter, with Adrian Smith claiming that, “Steve loves playing with him. [They] used to work for hours going over these bass and drum patterns.”

McBrain is married to Rebecca McBrain (née Dempsy) and has two sons: Nicholas (born 1983) and Justin (born 1992). He lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

Ethnicity, religion & political views

Many peoples want to know what is Nicko McBrain ethnicity, nationality, Ancestry & Race? Let's check it out! As per public resource, IMDb & Wikipedia, Nicko McBrain's ethnicity is Not Known. We will update Nicko McBrain's religion & political views in this article. Please check the article again after few days.

In 1975, he began playing with Streetwalkers, before joining Pat Travers, singer Jenny Darren, McKitty and then the French band, Trust, with whom he met Iron Maiden for the first time, while touring together in 1981. In 1982, the band asked McBrain to replace their previous drummer, Clive Burr, and, as news of Burr’s departure had not yet been announced, McBrain made his first appearance with Iron Maiden on German TV disguised as Eddie. He formed a close partnership with bassist, Steve Harris, and completed what many critics consider the band’s “definitive” line-up, releasing a series of gold and platinum selling albums throughout the 1980s.

Who is Nicko McBrain Dating?

According to our records, Nicko McBrain married to Rebecca McBrain . As of January 13, 2024, Nicko McBrain’s is not dating anyone.

Relationships Record: We have no records of past relationships for Nicko McBrain. You may help us to build the dating records for Nicko McBrain!

McBrain’s drumming has been an important element of Iron Maiden’s sound from 1983’s Piece of Mind onwards, with guitarist Adrian Smith remarking that, “he always had the chops and the technique, but in Maiden he really exploded, to the point where a lot of stuff we did after he joined was then founded on his playing, all those busy patterns he does, displaying tremendous technique.” As described in detail on the band’s 2004 documentary, Piece of Mind’s opening track, “Where Eagles Dare”, famously displays McBrain’s ability to use the single drum pedal very quickly, plus his rapid tom fills.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

Nicko McBrain height 6 ft 0 in Nicko weight Not Known & body measurements will update soon.

Height6 ft 0 in
WeightNot Known
Body MeasurementsUnder Review
Eye ColorNot Available
Hair ColorNot Available
Feet/Shoe SizeNot Available

McBrain is a long-time user of Paiste cymbals and currently plays British Drum Company drums, moving from Sonor Drums and having previously endorsed Premier. For A Matter of Life and Death he used his Ludwig metal shell LM 402 snare drum which was purchased in 1975, making it the oldest drum in his kit. He endorses Vic Firth signature drum sticks, also using them for his own drumming. As of 2016, McBrain also uses Remo drumheads, Sonor hardware, an LP cowbell and a DW 9000 single pedal (painted gold).

Sonor Phonic Plus High Tech Drums (1986–87):

Facts & Trivia

Nicko Ranked on the list of most popular Drummer. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in United Kingdom. Nicko McBrain celebrates birthday on June 5 of every year.

In 1988, McBrain appeared as a guest on The Sooty Show, in which he played drums with Sooty and Sweep. In reference to his appearance on the show, McBrain’s drum kit has since been decorated with a Sooty puppet, which is often dressed accordingly with the band’s corresponding tours.

Is Nicko McBrain good?

McBrain is a legend among drummers for his right foot. Not only is it fast and consistent, but it also helps drive the band along with Steve Harris’ bass lines in a way that is not common among heavy metal rhythm sections.

Why does Nicko McBrain play barefoot?

He claims to have only ever used a double pedal once on “Face in the Sand”, from Dance of Death, preferring to use a DW 5000 Accelerator single pedal. Since switching to the DW pedal in 2000, McBrain plays barefoot, stating that it gives him “more freedom.”

Is Nicko McBrain his real name?

Michael Henry McBrain

How old is Nicko McBrain?

70 years (June 5, 1952)

Why does Nicko McBrain not use double-bass?

Asked once again why he has steadfastly refused to incorporate a double-bass setup into his playing technique, McBrain said: “I was quoted years ago saying it’s very undrummerish, it’s very unmusical. And I really spoke out of turn, because it’s not that.

You may read full biography about Nicko McBrain from Wikipedia.