Retired Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain has weighed in on the band’s upcoming induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame‘s Class of 2026 — and while he’s grateful for the honor, he isn’t celebrating without reservations.
Speaking with “Capnharris“, McBrain, who played his final show with Iron Maiden in December 2024, said the accolade comes with a catch.
“Mixed emotions. It’s a wonderful accolade to have regardless of the politics behind it all. And I personally think it’s a wonderful thing to have in terms of tipping the hat with the fans,” he said. “Although it’s not voted for by fans — I don’t believe it still is; I know that’s their policy, was there was a board of guys that decided who made it and who didn’t. But, yeah, I think it’s a great opportunity. I can’t speak for everybody else, but that’s my feeling.”
McBrain will be inducted alongside the band’s current lineup of singer Bruce Dickinson, bassist Steve Harris and guitarists Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Janick Gers, plus former singers Paul Di’Anno and Blaze Bayley, ex-guitarist Dennis Stratton and late former drummer Clive Burr.
The 2026 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ceremony takes place on November 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with a broadcast set for ABC and Disney+ the following month. That date lands squarely in the middle of Iron Maiden‘s Australian run — the band plays Melbourne on November 13 and Sydney on November 15 — which is why manager Rod Smallwood has already confirmed the current lineup won’t be there in person, citing the touring commitments Down Under.
Iron Maiden‘s induction follows years of eligibility, having only been nominated twice before in 2021 and 2023, where they finished fourth in the fan vote. Even though artists become eligible 25 years after the release of their first album, the institution has historically been slow to recognize heavy metal. Dickinson publicly criticized the Rock Hall in 2018, calling it “an utter and complete load of bollocks.”
