In a heartwarming reunion that proves the bonds of Iron Maiden extend far beyond the stage, legendary guitarist Adrian Smith was joined by his recently retired former bandmate, drummer Nicko McBrain, for a special performance at his daughter’s wedding last Friday. The impromptu supergroup, which also featured Tool bassist Justin Chancellor, delighted guests with a cover of the Jeff Beck classic “Going Down.”
The special jam session took place on September 12 at the wedding of Smith‘s daughter, Natasha, in Tuscany, Italy. Video footage of the performance shows the longtime Maiden bandmates locking into a groove, a welcome sight for fans following McBrain‘s retirement from the band in December 2024. The surprise inclusion of Tool‘s Justin Chancellor on bass added another layer of rock and roll royalty to the celebratory performance.
The reunion perfectly embodies the sentiment McBrain himself expressed in an interview this past July. After stepping away from the grueling demands of touring due to his age and health, he made it clear that his connection to the band was far from over.
“We’re all still part of the family, although I’m not playing the shows,” he stated at the time.
In that same interview, the 73-year-old drummer left the door open for future, limited collaborations with Iron Maiden. “It’s a possibility that when they come over here [to the U.S.], I might end up doing a show with them, just getting up and doing a song or two, or just being there,” he said. He also hinted at a potential studio return: “If there is a new album in the pipeline, it’s a possibility I’ll do a couple of tracks on the album. Yeah, who knows?”
He explained that his decision to retire stemmed from his feeling that he “wasn’t doing the songs justice” anymore due to the physical toll of a full Maiden set. This makes a relaxed, celebratory jam session with his friends and family the perfect setting for him to continue playing the music he loves.
