During a conversation with The Washington Tattoo podcast, drummer Nicko McBrain shared an update regarding his health and the surgery that he underwent:
“The first three months of a stroke is where you have the most recovery. After that, the next three months, it’s a little less and then the three months after that, and so on and so forth. I’m over, almost a year and a half now, but it will be next week. What’s the date? Yeah, 10 days’ time.
”So I’m still not back to where I wanna be. I’ve probably got… I can’t do, I can’t do… So if this is a tempo, I can’t do a 16-note roll going into 32nd-note rolls anymore.”
The drummer also said what he can play and not to since the surgery, and admitted that he can’t play any longer Iron Maiden’s iconic song, ”The Trooper”:
“What happens is I can play eighth notes, like that kind of groove. I can do doubles, but when I try and play that 16th at that speed, instead of going up and down, it wobbles from left to right, when I start playing fast, when I try to play fast. So I’ve had to adjust my fills now.
”I mean, I don’t play ”The Trooper” fill anymore because I can’t get it… It’s the speed of it. I can do everything slow, but I’ve had to make sure that as long as I can keep the groove of the song.”
2 comments
Nicko, I can help you ger back to what you love much faster and get well. Love your music. Call or text if you want more info on this!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jimmy Steger, N.D., Ph.D. DNM.
World Renowned Naturopath and Nutritionist!
http://www.DrJimmySteger.com
I’m a drummer who had a stroke and even though I’m left sided I’m happy to say only my left side was affected. I am happy only my left side was affected because I play right handed. There’s nothing worse for a drummer than not being able play like you used to. At least my right hand wasn’t affected so I can only imagine what Nicko is going through as a drummer playing a right handed kit your right hand does 80% or more of the work so I am lucky as I still play with my right hand. Still hopeful I’ll get my left hand back but I don’t plan on playing 32 notes with my left hand so this must be very difficult for Nicko as drumming is what he is. It’s his love and his livelyhood. Sorry for your loss Nicko.