“Maiden! Maiden! shouts replaced with…”
Drummer Nicko McBrain bid farewell to Iron Maiden at his last performance in Sao Paolo, Brazil, on December 7, 2024. Having been an integral part of Iron Maiden for an impressive 42 years, Nicko contributed his exceptional drumming skills to iconic albums like Piece Of Mind, Powerslave, and Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son, culminating in the band’s latest album, Senjutsu, released in 2021.
While Nicko has established himself as a standout drummer of his generation, one of his memorable moments occurred in 1988 during a unique drum battle with the beloved puppet characters Sooty and Sweep on British television. Just before his retirement announcement from Iron Maiden, Nicko humorously revealed that his son’s admiration for Sooty influenced his decision.
The Sooty Show, hosted by puppeteer Matthew Corbett, featured the misadventures of Sooty, a yellow bear, and his canine companion Sweep. The show, originating in the 1950s, maintained its popularity into 1988, a time when Iron Maiden reigned as one of the biggest heavy metal bands globally. Iron Maiden headlined the UK’s Monsters of Rock festival, and their album Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son met critical acclaim.
In 1988, Nicko received a surprising call from Iron Maiden’s manager, Rod Smallwood, informing him of a request from Matthew Corbett, the presenter of The Sooty Show. This unexpected opportunity to appear on the show led to a playful exchange with Rod about Nicko participating. Despite initial skepticism, Rod encouraged Nicko to consider the positive impact on his son.
Nicko recalled the moment by saying, “I remember saying to Rod: ‘Are you okay with that?’ Because Rod had always been a bit brash about saying, ‘You can’t do this, you can’t do that.’ All that bollocks. But Rod says, ‘Think about it, Nicky!’” With the chance to participate in a talent competition alongside Sooty and Sweep, Nicko accepted, recognizing the joy it would bring to his son.
The experience on The Sooty Show, filled with laughter and unique moments, left a lasting impression on Nicko. Despite his son causing a commotion on set, Nicko’s goodwill gesture of donating his fee to charity showcased his kindhearted nature. The incident became part of Iron Maiden’s narrative, as fans comically shouted “Sooty!” instead of the band’s name during the UK tour that followed.
The unexpected aftermath of Nicko’s appearance on The Sooty Show, with an unexpected influx of Sooty puppets thrown on stage during performances, added a comical element to Iron Maiden’s tour. Nicko humorously embraced the situation by incorporating Sooty into his drum set, symbolizing the unique connection between his personal life and professional endeavors.
In retrospect, Nicko McBrain’s light-hearted encounter with Sooty and Sweep showcased a delightful cross-section of his personal life intersecting with his illustrious career as Iron Maiden’s iconic drummer.