Rod Smallwood (Iron Maiden manager) speaks about the band’s future plans

In a recent interview with Chile’s Radio Futuro, Rod Smallwood, who has overseen the management of Iron Maiden for 47 years, was inquired about his sentiments regarding the band’s longstanding drummer, Nicko McBrain, who announced his retirement from the band in December 2024.

I met Nicko about 10 years before he was brought into Maiden. And we’ve been friends for a long time before then. And he’s an amazing character. It’s so sad his career was curtailed a bit by the stroke. But he’s still very active. He’s got his book coming out soon. He’s doing a speaking tour of Europe, which he started last weekend. So he’s in good shape.

Smallwood, having consistently managed Maiden since his initial agreement with the band’s founder, bassist Steve Harris, in 1979, was also questioned about the challenges of leading such a significant organization laden with responsibilities.

Well, I have a business partner, Andy Taylor. We were at university together way back in the late ’60s. And he does the business side. I do everything else. I do the creative. And so I don’t have to worry too much about that side of things, which leaves me free to work on, actually, more fun aspects, but also creative aspects.

When asked about the future endeavors of Maiden following the conclusion of the ongoing “Run For Your Lives” world tour, Rod provided insights into the band’s forthcoming plans.

Well, to be quite honest, if I told you that, I’d have to shoot you. We keep our plans strictly to ourselves. We let the fans know when it’s definite. We don’t like rumors. We deal with things in a certain way and always have. So, you really don’t wanna know anything. [Laughs]

Upcoming shows:

• Sunday, October 25, 2026 – Allianz Parque, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Tuesday, October 27, 2026 – Allianz Parque, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Wednesday, October 28, 2026 – Arena Da Baixada, Curitiba, Brazil
• Saturday, October 31, 2026 – Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile
• Sunday, November 01, 2026 – Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile
• Saturday, November 07, 2026 – Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
• Sunday, November 08, 2026 – Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
• Wednesday, November 11, 2026 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, Australia
• Friday, November 13, 2026 – AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
• Sunday, November 15, 2026 – Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia
• Wednesday, November 18, 2026 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
• Thursday, November 19, 2026 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
• Tuesday, November 24, 2026 – K-Arena, Yokohama, Japan
• Wednesday, November 25, 2026 – K-Arena, Yokohama, Japan

Iron Maiden – Run For Your Lives North American tour 2027

• April 14 – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
• April 16 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
• April 18 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
• April 20 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
• April 22 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
• April 24 – San Bernardino, CA – Glen Helen Amphitheater
• April 26 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
• April 28 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
• May 1 – Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena
• May 2 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
• May 5 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
• May 7 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
• May 9 – Hartford, CT – The Meadows Music Theatre
• May 11 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
• May 14 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Festival
• May 16 – Ocean City, MD – Boardwalk Rock Festival

Full details and ticket links are available at Iron Maiden’s official website.