Iron Maiden is one of those bands that whether you like 'em or not, you've got to respect what they've accomplished as a group. By and large they've got a very solid discography over their 37 years of releasing albums, though like most classic metal groups, we've just got to accept that they're not going to be around forever.
According to drummer Nicko McBrain in an interview with Classic Rock, he's thought about life after Iron Maiden, and says he really doesn't want the band to get so old that they ultimately because a parody of themselves.
Do you think much about life after Maiden?
I’ve thought about it, I’ll admit that. But I can’t see us hanging it up any time soon. Let’s get one thing straight: we would never become a parody of ourselves. But it’s my job to drive Maiden, and one day I’m not going to be able to do it any more.
So, realistically, how long have you got?
Ideally… ten years? Nah, don’t see that. Imagine me trying to play Run To The Hills at fucking seventy-three years old! So I don’t know, mate. But I’m planning on bowing out gracefully.
He also says that "I’ve got to be honest, the older I get, the harder it becomes to do this," which makes sense – dude's been playing with Iron Maiden nonstop since 1982 and is 65 years old. So while it sure as hell sucks to think that Iron Maiden is eventually going to bow out, it sounds like we've still got quite a few years left.
