Nicko McBrain
It's rare in life when you get the chance to meet someone you've looked up to for a long time. It's even rarer when that person turns out to be way more entertaining and down to earth than you ever could have imagined.
I was fortunate enough to be in that position last night when I attended an awareness event / cocktail party for HomeSafe (http://www.homesafe.org), which is a nationally accredited non-profit organization protecting Palm Beach County’s and South Florida’s most vulnerable residents – victims of child abuse and domestic violence. The event was held on Wayne Huizenga Jr.'s yacht at the Huizenga-owned Rybovich Marina, and was hosted by one of my all time musical heroes, Nicko McBrain, the drummer for my favorite band, Iron Maiden.
Now, let's be clear - the event was for a fantastic cause and was a supremely classy affair. It was fantastic to learn about all the work HomeSafe does in South Florida - the work these people do largely goes unheralded. But I'd be lying if I said I initially accepted my friend Mike Mandich's offer to attend for any reason other than the chance to meet Nicko.
Fortunately, Mike and I were able to spend about 30 minutes chatting with Nicko near the end of the evening. Nicko is quite the personality - extremely engaging, a bit goofy, and full of energy. It's no surprise that he and the rest of the Maiden crew are able to still put on epic 2-hour shows with ease at their age - they clearly love what they do and appreciate the love of their fans. It was entertaining as all hell to hear Nicko talk about the other band members, touring, Maiden's "five-year plans," and a host of other topics. He's also clearly passionate about HomeSafe and making a difference in South Florida, which was pretty cool to see.
I've met celebrities before - sports, music, film, politics - and like anyone else I get a rush. But I've never met a member of a band that I truly cherish, one that has essentially been a part of the soundtrack to my life since I was 12 years old. I can honestly say it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and I greatly appreciate Nicko's humility and willingness to engage with his fans on such a friendly and open level.
If you live in South Florida, definitely check out Nicko's restuarant "Rock n Roll Ribs" located at 4651 State Rd 7 in Coral Springs. Mike and I will be there on 12/14/13 to watch Nicko perform classic Maiden songs and others with his music buddies - it should be a great time.
And for a glimpse into why Nicko is a musical hero of mine, check out this drum cam footage of him teaching some youngsters from the School of Rock how to play some epic Maiden tunes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whIWatPSxZE