Nicko McBrain: "Where Eagles Dare" on Tichy's kit!

Yes, I saw the Piece Of Mind tour! Yes, I bought the Piece Of Mind album! And when you first put it on knowing that Maiden recruited a new drummer, yet you are a big Clive Burr fan, you wonder what it's all gonna be like..... And just then Nicko kicks your ass! The intro to "Eagles" is killer! C'mon, it's such a cool drum intro and groove!! The drum tones and Nicko's performance on that record are nothing short of stellar! So when he was hanging around the Michael Schenker soundcheck at the House of Blues this January, I had to go over and ask the man if he could hit Eagles on my kit. He was super cool and more than happy to oblige! He proceeded to stay and watch the show which was killer in itself. So here's one to Nicko for all the years of inspiration and being a straight shooter when a 'lil 'ol fan like me meets him! I just wish I had my "Piece" album cover with me! And by the way, that is bass lord Robbie "Mr. Perfect Life" Crane rippin' the Steve Harris bass lines up and Warren Demartini getting a kick out of the whole thing! Go see Crane on tour with Schenker now!

[@aileoz]

One of the best drum intros of all time!

[@treetoker420]

Diogo Aileoz what a way to introduce himself to the world huh? That intro is straight up power!!!

[@NH2112]

This, and Stargazer.

[@danielgonzaleztejedor9486]

I can't remember him creating another one.

[@dannyspitzer1267]

I agree!

[@zdrumrguy]

@@danielgonzaleztejedor9486 los'fer words

[@Ken-vl4wk]

The most charismatic drummer of all times. Ladies and gentlemen, Nicko McBrain.

[@keefriff99]

God almighty, he makes it look effortless. Truly an underrated drummer in a lot of aspects...especially his single-foot pedal technique. When I first got into Maiden, I thought for sure he was using a double bass on some songs. Blew me away to find out that the first (and ONLY) time he ever used one was on Face In the Sand in 2003, and he didn't really like it. LEGEND. Pure legend.

[@NH2112]

keefriff99 He didn’t need it. He makes Bonham’s right foot seem dinosaur slow by comparison.

[@JSMCalder]

Never underrated. Nicko is one of the all time greats and a huge influence to everyone from rock to metal to death metal. He said himself he could never grasp double bass pedal. Even now he couldn't do it. Easily my biggest influence along with Matt Sorum & Lars.

[@thomaskennydrums]

@Steven Pounsett Bonham would not absolutely kill Nicko on the right foot, going off the recordings we have of both of them they seem pretty equal, and Nicko actually plays both fast doubles and constant 8ths/16ths on the kick for longer than any recordings we have of Bonham doing it. Nicko's parts are far from "easy as fuck", at least no more easy than Bonham's are, and if you're saying that you're either incredibly biased or haven't listened to enough of Nicko's parts. Bonham is my favourite drummer by miles but that doesn't change the fact that Nicko's parts are much more technical and more difficult (and that doesn't necessarily make him a better drummer).

[@thomaskennydrums]

​@Steven Pounsett ​ Nicko doesn't only play in 4/4: Number of the Beast is in 5/4, Alexander the Great, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son and Brighter Than a Thousand Sons have loads of 7/4, Sign of the Cross has a section flipping between 5/8, 2/4 and 4/4, and a load of songs have 6/8 or 3/4 sections or occasional odd time bars. And you do realise that almost all of Bonham's beats were 4/4, right? Even when the song was in an odd signature Bonham would often play in 4/4 (Kashmir, Black Dog), he's pretty well known for that. The only exceptions that come to mind are the Crunge in 9/8 and him playing stuff in 12/8, which may as well be 4/4. Bonham is not known for his technical ability, he's known for his amazing feel and musicality. That's why he's regarded as the greatest drummer in history. It's not a grading of technical ability and song difficulty, and him being the best doesn't mean that everything he does is automatically a more technically difficult drum part than anything else, or that everyone else is bad. It's not exactly a bad thing for a rock drummer to primarily play 4/4 or for a drummer to commit the sin of being good at drum rolls, and if a drummer mainly playing in 4/4 or playing a fill is a bad thing for you then I don't see how you like Bonham either.

[@thomaskennydrums]

​@Steven Pounsett Did you read anything I've said? It feels like you're arguing against the claim that Bonham is bad that you've incorrectly assumed I'm making. I've made it very clear that Bonham is my favourite drummer and that why he's good is his musicality and groove, I don't need an explanation from you saying almost word for word what I've already said, or a Polyphonic video that does the same but in long form. Like I said, he's my favourite drummer, I'm well aware of how good he is, and what makes him good. I'm saying that Nicko isn't bad and that his parts are no easier than Bonham's, because they aren't. I never said that Bonham's parts weren't innovative or creative, and them being so doesn't make them harder parts. A part being good, innovative and creative doesn't make it hard to play. Hard to come up with is a different matter, but not hard to play. The Beatles made some of the most influential and creative music in history, most of which is actually pretty simple to play. Wanton Song just isn't the first example of a hip hop beat, James Brown's drummers had been coming far closer to hip hop beats for almost a decade before Zeppelin even formed. Funky Drummer had been out for three years and Amen Brother by the Winstons had been out for six. "Just adding or subtracting a few beats to a bar. Playing 6/8 is also easy. Songs like "in love with car by Queen utilise that very timing signature completely. Absolutely NOT difficult." So by that logic King Crimson is easy? Animals As Leaders? Dream Theater? Tool? After all, it's just adding or taking away a couple of beats, right? Mindlessly oversimplifying something to make it sound easier than is isn't an argument. With that logic some idiot could turn around and say "Bonham wasn't special, all he did was play hit the snare and hi hat nicely and that's not hard hurr durr". And (again), making a point that I made myself as if it disproves what I'm saying - I never said 6/8 was hard, in fact I basically said the opposite when talking about playing 12/8, which is pretty similar to 6/8: "playing stuff in 12/8, which may as well be 4/4". My point isn't that Nicko's parts are insanely hard because he uses 6/8 now and then, it's that they aren't all "easy as fuck", because he regularly uses complex odd time signatures that are at least intermediate level or higher, especially when the time signature constantly changes. If odd time signatures are easy and thus don't make Nicko's parts good or hard then why was your reason for Nicko being bad him only playing in 4/4? Surely it doesn't matter either way then? It just sounds like you have something against him purely because he's not Bonham (which is a fruitless comparison) and are coming up with incredibly inconsistent reasons why he's bad on the spot. It's a lot harder to play odd time signatures (especially when they're changing often) than it is to follow the guitar. You don't have to pretend that the drum part for Whole Lotta Love is complex and hard to play (which it isn't really) for it to be an amazingly written piece of music (which it is). And Bonham had not only been playing for six months before joining Zeppelin, he'd been playing for more than a decade, was playing professionally for almost five years and was a well established player around Birmingham before joining Zeppelin.

[@skeeter197140]

What a monster drummer.

[@flashy5150]

Where Eagles Dare kicks my ass every time, Nicko is great.

[@metaljeeper9941]

And he makes it look so ff-in easy too!

[@NH2112]

That guy will hold his own with anyone - Gadd, Colaiuta, Beauford, Copeland, ANYONE.

[@Happytux]

Yer Sir!

[@stevenpeyton5389]

@@NH2112 mm.. bold claim technically speaking, but as far as his presence in the music, the command he plays with - yeah he's there...

[@luckymouse1971]

Nicko is such a class act. He always seems to have a smile on his face, no matter where he's at or what he's doing!!

[@dustdreamer673]

This song was the first song on the first album with him on the band. What a killer debut!

[@craigzilla3420]

One of the all time great drummers and one of the all time nicest dudes. Thanks Nicko. What a legend

[@jadegrey1]

I first heard Maiden when some older kids jammed their cassette of Number of the Beast. My mind was blown. I was already a drummer, so Clive Burr instantly became my idol. I saw that tour--when they warmed up for Judas Priest. Even got backstage to shake Clive Burr's hand. When he left the band I was crushed. 3 seconds into "Where Eagles Dare" I let it go and moved on. Clive Burr shaped me as a drummer, but Nicko is a BEAST!! And just an all around cool cat to boot. Up the irons!

[@punkrock1989]

Aye. This comment is cringy asf

[@Daddy53751]

I saw the “Number” tour as well, but they were in the middle of a triple bill with The Scorpions on “Blackout” and the openers were Girlschool.

[@paladro]

@@punkrock1989 even worse, calling yourself 'punk rock' and being soft as shit... good luck with that poser.

[@MrObsidus]

@@punkrock1989 Show us where Nicko touched you; for the jury.

[@daveadamson9611]

He is such a great person always smiling and always willing to help the little guy.

[@adamduf]

You could watch this over and over and every time it just gets more awesome

[@pauloalexalopes72]

Bassist playing "The number of the beast" on final, awesome!

[@mopoucco2092]

Nickos face doe;)

[@robertoapocalipsis7036]

mopo ucco Exactly...! Lol...!

[@access1992]

ive always loved how he playes hardcore drums for a HEAVY METAL band but he plays so smooth he looks like he's playing smooth Jazz.

[@pretoshohmoofcguy6523]

Amazing drummer wrapped up in a fantastic personality.

[@Oportunidades369]

Nicko what a Nice guy!!! and hell of a drummer.

[@putinninovacuna8976]

+kiskipuich1 man why all rockstar and expensive snare sound like shit lol i mean lars, nicko, mike portnoy snare sucks its better a simple snare i guess

[@manysnakes]

Couldn't disagree more. Even through the mic of the shitty handheld camera, his snare sounds great and very "Maideny" to me.

[@viel.anthony]

it's not Nicko's kit...

[@sinisalucic1996]

I can literally hear the notes, that s how good his drumming is!

[@DrPheelGoodman]

Wow! I'm so glad my son started too play the drums 3 years ago. He is 13 now and playing in a band. Look at this guys. So much joy and pure happines.

[@PerfectSense77]

Nicko's style is legendary. Absolutely no one plays like him.

[@mightymangoes08]

You can never be bored of Nicko’s playing.

[@johnhancock9249]

I love watching Nicko. He such a great and fun guy. I’m learning a lot playing like him on my own drums. He’s such a great teacher. The videos that flood the net are such a help.

[@prowlerzinho]

Thank god Maiden drummers always used Paiste cymbals. It's the Maiden sound.

[@kuskenigen]

rj zander that’s not Nickos kit. Fernando was talking about how much better the usual kit and cymbals sounds. Compared to the Zildjans

[@MrFchank]

ZILDJIAN!!

[@anthonyvenedicto518]

I honestly am a zildjian guy. But paiste is awesome. A lot of drummers like nicko love them

[@Adrian_Franco]

I love my new Paiste 602 cymbals. Still not convinced their signature and B8 alloy cymbals are worth the price though.

[@MM1717mm]

Haha fighting about cymbals... I guess none of you'll have real problems 😆

[@beedham69]

I love watching Nicko play, he just looks like he enjoys playing so much!

[@cazboy50]

Best drumintro ever made. After playing drums for 26 years, I still don't nail this intro.

[@wagner_buettner]

Seems to be easy... but really is not!!!

[@christschinwon]

***** I play and its not easy at all lol!!!

[@bgrajeda1]

@Don Taylor yeah it took me forever to get that feel but now its easy but so fuckin fun\m/

[@HerySrBeard]

Nicko parece ser maior gente boa e hulmilde. Sempre o vejo em vídeos assim com "outra galera". Espero que seja humilde assim como aparenta!

[@necrossisnk1]

Its amazing how he became better and better, its like age dont matter, crap I wanna be like him when I grow up. Dont slow down couse age, donw change style couse age. Nicko you rule.

[@Fathersmidmeals]

You know which channel I think is super underrated??? Metal Piano Music. The dude spends weeks composing classic metal songs into relaxing piano pieces and he hardly gets any views. I love his arrangement of The Sentinel by Judas Priest. That dude deserves more followers👏

[@AlexLogan30]

Simplesmente incrível! uma lenda viva realmente! e se não bastasse é um exemplo de simpatia e humildade! Não é a toa que ele é reverenciado por todos! Drummer Good!

[@mementomori8791]

It must be the 100th video I see him doing this. It always amaze me to see how he makes this look so easy.

[@BangBang-hk4rg]

The first track on the first Maiden album that he played on. Talk about a hell of a way to introduce him to the fans! 🤘

[@leomiralon7611]

Nicko mcbrain é o melhor, sou fã do iron maiden somente por essa figura, maluco, e muito simpático pelo que vejo!! 🤘💀🤘

[@Desmo904]

I attended a drum clinic he held at a local drum shop. Man oh man! That was an eye opener! Just like this clip, he made it look SO easy. That and all the funny stories he told it was a great night! Top bloke, and a damn good drummer!

[@jmdrummer7]

Favorite metal drummer of all time! Great feel and tecnique.

[@pharmtech1991]

Seems like a cool guy. Have always loved his playing and his attutude. Love ya Nicko!!

[@philatkinson3955]

He's that great...He's a BEAST! Talented drummer! Wow. As Garth in Wayne's would say... "We're Not Worthy"

[@eagleone5456]

That laugh at the end, he's never lost the spark. Wish I had a set, and space to learn!

[@jfields343]

One of the most underrated drummers ever. I play bass and guitar and when I write I often hear drums like he would play.

[@kainedakillerv2704]

Flawless, it's like it's another day in the office for him... so relaxed and tranquil

[@jamesbradshaw3389]

The great Nicko McBrain on drums and the mighty Robbie Crane on bass, a band of brothers those two musicians can produce enough power to blow the roof off any building that they play in

[@aziziadnan9660]

Watching him from the best place on earth 🤘🇲🇾

[@MrWoofer21]

Uno de los mejores bateristas, y encina supersimpático. Este NICKO es la caña. UP THE IRONS!!!

[@horseradish4046]

that opening fill was literally Nicko's introduction for Maiden fans, being the first track on his first record with the band

[@paisteuser06]

nicko is one in a million...he loves his fans and isnt so full of himself to mingle with other musicians and be a friend. A loyal artist to his one and only Paiste company and everyone else who appreciates his love for drumming, and music. Cheers, Mr. McBrain. :)

[@KateeWrathchild]

BLOODY HELL! YOU GO NICKO! love that drumming, gave me goose bumps :) ...... i left alone my mind was blank .....

[@mrgregnugent]

One of the best intros ever

[@FliXeRoCk107]

the best thing i have seen all day!

[@mattharvey968]

Great drummer! Great song! Great band!🤘🏻

[@maidenwildM]

what an AWESOME drummer nicko is! you are SO lucky tha you ve met him and played drums for u! thanks for posting it!

[@castubebaby]

That is one of my favorite drum intros ever!!!

[@davidg0901]

Nicko is a brilliant drummer. So very unique in his style I think, and highly respected by peers in the music industry, not just metal. Also a top fella and keeps time for the best metal band ever...

[@grahamkelly8299]

So effortless!! Its amazing to watch

[@buybulkwhey]

Love it!!! solid class act!

[@OilFanManitoba]

rocking wicked!!!!! Nicko is amazing!!!

[@RaulDiazG]

Excelente!!! y lo hace tan natural!!

[@ronaldh33]

wow!!! amazing in 1 word

[@carlosramirez-oh7uk]

Nicko es un genio y uno de los mejores bateros del mundo,esto tendria que ser el examen de cada baterista si quiere serlo,es una obra maestra.

[@MaddogJones]

Imagine being a snot nosed 13 year old punk that had saved his paper route money to buy a brand new ghetto blaster that had a dual cassette deck AND and CD player way back in 1983 and having enough money left over to buy three CDs. Those CDs being Speak of the Devil, Kill Em All and Piece of Mind!!! And the first song to be played on that ghetto blaster was Where Eagles Dare, the very first Iron Maiden song you had ever heard because you bought the CD only because the album art was so friggin cool. That album, that song changed my life more than any other song had. That opening fill inspired me to want to learn to play drums, prompting me to save my paper route money again to buy a drum kit. Now almost 40 years, 6 drum kits and countless sticks later that is still my favourite groove to jam.

[@MaestorRasanen]

MAAAAAN that has the groove! That is just... And can you picture yourself playig that with Nicko?

[@buybulkwhey]

Great post man!! Nicko is a beast on the drums. On the same token you tear it up with solid beats and great timing!!

[@131601]

Effortless greatness !

[@swvastories3498]

Man, the great ones always make it look so easy!

[@chichothedrummer]

Nicko is the ultimate Hard Rock drummer, no doubt. But what really makes you love him is his attitude: Always happy, always smiling and always willing to show you some tricks. One can only hope to meet him in person one day :-) Great video!

[@brokenmarbles5264]

so smooth with perfect hits man was that great 👍

[@WrestleGirl95]

I love Niko!!!! He is my inspiration for drumming :)

[@iononsoleggere9065]

Nicko is really a mesmerizing drummer.... there is something in his flow that's is far beyond "metal"....

[@drummyboi7727]

Love the sounds of the ride cymbal

[@keefriff99]

Mindblowing chops...he makes it look so damned effortless. I met Nicko at a McBrain Damage show in 2004 and he was a really nice guy. Signed everyone's Maiden stuff and posed for pics.

[@rrguitar1]

That is so awesome, wow !!!!!

[@Krazy_Shorts]

Greatest intro! When you hear it, you imagine the drummer just going batshit with arms flailing all about, then you see him, and his body is barely moving....makes it look so easy!

[@deanomyfundsarelow4606]

I met IRON MAIDEN on the Peace of mind tour with Fastway at the Philly Spectrum they look like gods on stage they are all 5 ft 3" maybe, Nicko is the tallest...They hung out, party a little, took pictures and signed autographs for the fans...Dio was a genuine dude like this too🤘

[@wirikuta14]

gifted musician, and a very cool person indeed. what a gift.

[@Cheechazteca71]

The best drummer. The coolest dude! 💯

[@victorneckar7743]

Great drummer!!!!, one of the best

[@davidscullion4229]

HE MUST BE ONE OF THE GREATEST DRUMMERS OF ALL TIME. IRON MAIDEN IS MY FAVOURITE BAND OF ALL TIME. FROM SCULLY LFC COME ON YOU RED'S LFC FOREVER.

[@jlalis]

YEAH!!!! I´m amazed!

[@epilefsilva]

it´s fuckn' great to see Nicko playing drumms like 20 years before!!!!!!!

[@Rebel-Rouser]

One of the greats!

[@SofiaHM8704]

Maestro!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@football123girl]

... I simply love this man.

[@sgouraldonew]

He is playing one of the most difficult Maiden songs just for fun !! oooo dude this is Nicko !! his right foot is good damn amazing !! one of the greatest drummers ever !! so simply

[@DrummerSkate99]

Nice!!! Amazing!

[@theripper2811]

7 seconds of happiness. 🙂

[@ronnielopez3267]

This is why Nicko's my favorite drummer.

[@fajitaRBguy01111]

His laughter at the end is the best!

[@MrLegodad]

Nicko has got to be the coolest drummer the world has seen and heard !!!!!!!!!!

[@KarlKeesel]

That kit sounds beautiful

[@mrthundaboots]

Nicko’s posture makes it all possible...

[@philburrows6036]

58 second clip of pure genius Go Nicko

[@blaze486jaguar]

De lo mejor ........ Gracias

[@TheNodnarb66]

that drum kit is now blessed

[@paladro]

very cool, thanks for sharing!

[@rikuperhoniemi8639]

love the positivity

[@WrestleGirl95]

I like how Nicko looks at the camera most if the time! Even in concerts :)

[@keithmcclellan4350]

Number o'beast at the end. Nicko "huwhat"

[@helenaki8]

yes, lovely sound

[@James-qq2vq]

He always makes it look so easy.

[@vagabond142]

love the face at 0:53 XD He's like "waitaminnit!! :O "

[@NWBushman]

NEVER tire watching the skin master!!!!!

[@NotoriousYeshi]

NIcko is a legend....plain and simple...no one can drum like him, to try and play this song is risky having your arms fall off, and he makes it look so easy

[@jonathallica9]

Happy Birthday Nicko !

[@Metalchris36]

thats so badass meeting Nicko