It's Nicko McBrain's Birthday!
Nicko McBrain was a well known drummer in the pub and club scene in England, before getting a chance to officially record on an album with Gordon Giltrap on his solo album. By 1975, he was with Streetwalkers, until he left to join Pat Travers, and then the French band, Trust. He would meet Iron Maiden, when they toured together in 1981, and the band asked McBrain to replace Clive Burr, when Clive was asked to leave the band.
McBrain joined the band for their "Number Of The Beast," tour but officially recorded with the band on "Piece Of Mind," radically changing their drum sound with a more hollowed out tone that became popular in the 80's after Phil Collins introduced the recording technique with "In The Air Tonight". McBrain's drumming would give Maiden a more arena sound that filled the stadiums they played on tour. Since, his arrival he has been the backbone for the band to this day and is highly regarded as one of the greatest rock drummers of all time!
Happy Birthday Nicko, yours is a career respected by all!