STEVE HARRIS’ Brother-In-Law Criticizes IRON MAIDEN For Not Choosing His Son As Band’s New Drummer

Steve Harris Live

The announcement of Simon Dawson as IRON MAIDEN‘s new touring drummer seems to have triggered a family dispute within Steve Harris‘s inner circle. The previously rumored candidate, Joe LazarusHarris‘s nephew—has been publicly defended by his father.

When MAIDEN announced Dawson as their new drummer, Joe‘s father, Steve Lazarus, wrote in a comment section on MAIDEN‘s Facebook page: “Fair play. Let’s see what happens then. IMO, Joe could fit in without even a rehearsal. He knows the stuff inside out and backwards. He even played ‘The Trooper‘ with the band in rehearsals when he was 17. And they were amazed. Steve has even told Joe to learn the current set for the last 3 tours before this one in case Nicko was unable to play. So if there’s any evidence that he’s the right man for the job, then it’s all there. I have nothing against Simon at all. He’s a great drummer, but not sure he can play the songs the way Joe can.”

Band said in a statement when announcing their new drummer: “‘As The Future Past Tour’ concludes after 81 shows to over 1.4 million fans, from Ljubljana to the Coachella Valley and from Western Australia to Sao Paulo, IRON MAIDEN are delighted to announce that stepping in behind the kit for 2025 is a name familiar to many of our fans – Simon Dawson, a former session drummer and Steve’s rhythm section partner of the past 12 years with BRITISH LION.

“A native of Suffolk, England, Simon first teamed up with Steve Harris back in 2012. He debuted on three tracks on the first BRITISH LION album and all of the second critically acclaimed The Burning, plus the many subsequent tours in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand &, most recently, both Mexico and South America.

IRON MAIDEN celebrate their 50th Anniversary next year with ‘The Run For Your Lives Tour’ starting in Budapest on May 27th.”

Nicko McBrain‘s last show with MAIDEN was last night (December 7) in São Paulo.

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