Famed Heavy Metal Drummer Recovers from Stroke, Grateful for Boca Raton Regional Treatment, Rehab [Video]

Nicko McBrain, 71, has been the drummer for the heavy metal band Iron Maiden since 1982. The English musician is considered among the most influential heavy metal/hard rock drummers, with live performances noted for stamina, intensity and technique.

But in January of 2023, he was at his home in Boca Raton when his right side was suddenly stricken with weakness and paralysis. He suffered a stroke. That was the beginning of a challenging journey of physical rehabilitation that followed rapid and precise treatment by stroke specialists at Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health.

Mr. McBrain recalls the morning of Jan. 18, 2023. “When I woke up, I was on my right side … and when I turned over, my arm wasn’t moving and I thought: ‘What’s going on?’ And I’m trying to lift my arm but I couldn’t. I let my hand go and it just dropped. And I go: ‘Oh-oh, something is wrong here.’ I …