Scorpions drummer Mikkey Dee has offered a candid and emotional response to Nicko McBrain’s recent retirement from Iron Maiden, calling the longtime drummer’s decision “very unfortunate” and a difficult moment for fans of heavy metal. Speaking in the wake of McBrain’s official announcement, Dee reflected not only on McBrain’s personal impact but also on what his absence means for the wider world of rock and metal drumming.

Nicko McBrain, who joined Iron Maiden in 1982 and remained behind the kit for over four decades, had been dealing with health issues following a stroke in 2023. Though he managed to return to the stage for a limited run during the band’s “Future Past” tour, the physical demands of full-time performance eventually proved too much. Earlier this year, McBrain confirmed he would be stepping away from touring for good, choosing instead to prioritize his recovery and long-term health.

Mikkey Dee, best known for his high-powered drumming with Motörhead before joining Scorpions, didn’t hide his admiration. “It’s very unfortunate,” he said, adding that McBrain “has always been a powerhouse behind the kit and a true gentleman in the business.” Dee’s remarks struck a chord with many fans who have watched the careers of both drummers unfold over the past several decades.

The two have been part of the same world for years, crossing paths on tours, sharing green rooms, long nights on the road, and that quiet understanding drummers tend to have with each other. Their approaches couldn’t be more different: Dee, with his full-throttle, hard-hitting power, and McBrain, known for that smooth, effortless control using just a single pedal. But in their own ways, both carved out a place in metal where the drums weren’t just background, they were the engine. They gave the music its backbone. And anyone who knows this music knows that.

“What we do takes a lot out of the body,” Dee said. “And Nicko gave everything, every single night. There was never anything halfway about him. He left it all on the stage.” That sentiment has been echoed by fans and musicians alike, many of whom took to social media to share stories, footage, and messages of gratitude since the retirement news broke.

McBrain’s stage presence had become just as iconic as his drumming. Always expressive, always in sync with Iron Maiden’s theatrical performances, he brought a sense of joy and showmanship to metal music.