LISTEN: Nicko McBrain promises a special Iron Maiden surprise at Download Festival
Paul Anthony spoke to Nicko ahead of Maiden's much anticipated closing set on Sunday.
Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain has promised the Download Festival crowd a very special surprise when they fly over on Ed Force One on Sunday ahead of their headline slot.
Planet Rock’s Paul Anthony will be hitching a ride on the Bruce Dickinson piloted jumbo jet from Paris to Donington, and this morning he caught up with Nicko to discuss all.
Full of infectious good humour and joie de vivre throughout the interview, Nicko enthused: “The great thing is that flight path kind of takes in Donington.
“Hopefully the wind direction is right so we can accommodate and approach over the festival and, of course, I’m sure Bruce will probably have something special for you!
“The only thing I can say, boys and girls, is I feel sorry for the band that’s going to be playing on stage! (Laughs) Cos they’ll probably stop playing and come and have a look!”
Hailing Download Festival as “amazing”, Nicko added: “I’m so looking forward to our sixth visit to Download, there’s just something about playing in England.”
Nicko also described Bruce Dickinson as his “hero”, explaining: “I’ve got to be honest with you… Bruce is my hero. We all know it’s well documented in terms of what he went through with his illness and then he comes out an learns how to fly a 747!”
He continued: “It’s such a great thing to see Bruce…having him on a 757 is a lot smaller but he’s gone along and he’s done all the exams (for the 747 pilot licence) – he had 100% on his written exam which is hats off.
“He’s my hero, he’s fantastic and then he gets up on stage, believe me, just listen to the performance of ‘Death or Glory’ (here), y’know that’s just a little bit of what he gives in these live shows.”
Elsewhere, Nicko talked about the phenomenal success of ‘The Book of Souls’ and how it's “beyond our wildest expectations”, being blown away by the Maiden computer game ‘Legacy of the Beast’ and his enduring love for the band’s fans.
You can listen to the full Nicko McBrain interview below:
Make sure you keep it Planet Rock all weekend for all the latest on Download!