JUDAS PRIEST BASSIST IAN HILL TO RETIRE – “I’VE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THE ONSET OF THE EVIL ARTHRITIS”

UK metal gods Judas Priest have announced that original bassist Ian Hill is retiring from the band. A statement reads:

“It is with heavy hearts that we are sending out this personal message from our lan….he has been the backbone of Judas Priest for so long and will be greatly missed by us all….we wish him well in his retirement and welcome Davey into the Priest family.”

Ian Hill statement:

“Hello everyone, for a long time now, when asked ‘How long can you continue” I’ve always answered ‘Until my performances suffer’. I hate to say it, but that time has come. For some years now, I’ve been struggling with the onset of the evil arthritis, which is now in an advanced state in my left shoulder and right hand, established in my right shoulder, and present in both knees. I’ve been fighting this with painkilling pills, gels, and recently with cortisone injections in my shoulder and hand. Although, I was able to put bass lines to the songs for the new album, there were questions whether I’d be able to complete the recent European tour without incident, so we asked our good friend Davey Rimmer from Uriah Heep, and of course Elegant Weapons, to learn the set list to stand in for me if I had to pull out, which I did for the London show.

This was due to me snapping a tendon in my left shoulder (as if I didn’t have enough problems with it!) just before the encores during the Brussels show two days before. This led to me not being able to lift my arm enough to reach the neck of my bass. So we had to call Davey to stand in for me, who put in an incredible performance at such short notice! I’ve seen specialists, who suggest I might get away without surgery, but even if I don’t there’s no guarantee either way that I’ll have enough strength in my shoulder/ arm to complete a whole stage show.

In view of all this, and the fact that l’ve neglected my family life for fifty seven years, l’ve decided to retire and spend the remaining years making up for it, and doing things with them before it involves one of ’em pushing me around in a wheelchair.”

Uriah Heap statement:

“Following today’s announcement that Davey Rimmer will be joining Judas Priest from the start of their 2027 touring, we would all like to wish Davey our very best in this very coveted position in one of the giants of heavy metal and hard rock. Davey will continue to play with Uriah Heep in 2026 and on all shows in 2027 where schedules permit. For the shows that don’t, we will be announcing a replacement in due course.”