Horror film convention reunites Bruce Dickinson with Nicko McBrain

This past weekend, Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain joined frontman Bruce Dickinson at the Marriott Burbank conference Center in Burbank, California, for the horror film conference Son Of Monsterpalooza. As reported by blabbermouth.net, Dickinson only attended on Saturday, October 11; McBrain only attended on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12. The photography company Celeb Photo Ops offered shots of Nicko at Son Of Monsterpalooza for $80.00 (plus a $3.50 service fee) and pictures of Bruce and Nicko together for $185.00 (plus a $3.50 service fee) on October 11 exclusively. Selfies at the table were prohibited. Autographs were sold at Nicko’s signature stand. To participate, you had to get tickets to Son Of Monsterpalooza, which were available separately, and then buy the photo package from Celeb Photo Ops. Monsterpalooza is the premier horror and special effects makeup event in the world, having been founded in 2008. A autumn off-shoot convention called Son Of Monsterpalooza was introduced in 2012 in response to overwhelming demand. With more than 150 exhibitors, Son Of Monsterpalooza offers everything from collectible statues, vinyl toys, paintings, and special effects products to makeup and more.

On July 26, McBrain performed at the OCC Road House & Museum in Clearwater, Florida, the final of four 2025 dates in Florida with his Titanium Tart Project. Rob Stokes on bass, Eldad Kira on keyboards, Mike Rivera and Mitch Tanne on guitar, and Paolo Velazquez on vocals join Nicko in Titanium Tart. On December 7, 2024, the now 73-year-old British musician—real name: Michael Henry McBrain—announced his retirement on Maiden’s website and social media accounts. Additionally, he said that his performance with the renowned rock band would be his last at the Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil, that evening. Simon Dawson, a former session drummer and longtime British Lion bandmate of Maiden bassist Steve Harris, has subsequently taken his spot.