SONOR, the worldwide well-known manufacturer for producing the most excellent quality and innovative drum & percussion instruments, with a history dating back to 1875, is thrilled to announce that legendary drummer Nicko McBrain of iconic Metal band IRON MAIDEN has re-joined the SONOR family of artists.

Nicko McBrain was born in Hackney, East London, on June 5, 1952. His first experience of music came via his father's love of traditional jazz. Young Nicko's hero was Joe Morello, the late, great drummer with the legendary Dave Brubeck jazz band. Nicko would often take to the kitchen, using forks and knives to beat on anything he could find at home. Fed up with him bashing up the kitchen utensils, his parents finally bought him his first drum-kit when he was 12.

By the time he left school at 15, he was already a veteran of several part-time pub groups. Musically, however, his tastes had broadened to include more contemporary Sixties sounds from The Shadows, The Animals, The Beatles and the Stones. On the recommendation of another drummer he knew, he began to take on session work, playing on countless different recordings.

In 1975, Nicko joined Streetwalkers, the band formed by ex-Family members, vocalist Roger Chapman and guitarist Charlie Whitney.  From the late seventies until 1982 when he joined IRON MAIDEN, Nicko had spent his time in session work, most memorably with the Pat Travers Band on their 1976 'Makin' Magic' album, and also appeared in the band McKitty in the early 1980's. It was during a McKitty gig in Belgium that he first met IRON MAIDEN bassist Steve Harris.

He officially joined IRON MAIDEN in December 1982 for the 1983 Piece of Mind album and tour replacing Clive Burr, after McBrain's previous band Trust had supported IRON MAIDEN during the UK leg of the 'Killers' tour in 1981. Shortly after joining Maiden in 1983 he joined the SONOR artist family for about 10 years.

With 13 studio and 7 live albums currently under his belt with Maiden, Nicko's role as the driving force behind the band’s sound has served as a major influence to many of today's top drummers and solidified his place in music history.

Says Thomas Barth, International Artist Relations Manager: "This is such amazing news for everybody at SONOR. It's an honor to welcome Nicko back to the family, it feels like he's never been away!"

Nicko adds: "It's just amazing that we have this great relationship. I'm very happy to be back."

In late February 2016, Nicko and IRON MAIDEN will embark on a World Tour in celebration of their new studio double album "The Book Of Souls" which was released in September 2015. Tour dates and trailer are available on the band's website. Nicko will play a custom SQ² setup, finished with an IRON MAIDEN design matching the tour production. Details about the kit and images will be unleashed on the SONOR website and social media outlets by February 24, 2016, the first date of the World Tour at the BB&T Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA.


sonor.com
facebook.com/sonordrums
twitter.com/sonor_drums
instagram.com/sonordrumco