In a new interview with the Metal Forever Music Defenders Of Metal podcast, Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner addressed the fact that some fans have criticized bands, such as Rush, for choosing to tour without the full classic lineup.
When asked how he feels about various long-running bands hitting the road without all the original players, Faulkner, as per blabbermouth.net, “”I think as long as the guys wanna do it, they should do it. If people don’t wanna go, then don’t go. And people kind of vote with their ticket, don’t they? If Rush got up there and you’ve got 20,000 people in an auditorium and the guys wanna do it, do it. But if Rush turned up and there was five people there, they’ve got an issue. Maybe people don’t wanna see it. I can name other bands as well. If the guys wanna do it and people are showing up in the thousands to see it, then why not do it? If people don’t wanna go, then don’t. Simple as that. That’s what I’d say.”
[Dana’s note: When it comes to Judas Priest, the band has three remaining original members: vocalist Rob Halford, guitarist Glenn Tipton and bassist Ian Hill.
Consequently, due to his 2008 diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, Tipton has had to retire from touring. However, when possible, he does make special live appearances from time to time. But for touring purposes, he has been replaced by the band’s producer, Andy Sneap. Furthermore, I do believe that he may still be an active member, who continues to contribute with the band’s writing, and recording process, of new material.
Original guitarist KK Downing parted ways with the band in 2011. Additionally, before Scott Travis, became the band’s longest running drummer, it was Dave Holland, who played on the band’s most iconic albums and tours. Holland was released by the band in 1989 under scandalous circumstances.]
7 Responses
Now many bands are getting crafty and not naming any of the members in their current lineups on their websitesso you have to dig really deep to see who’s actually in/not in the band.
I agree with Faulkner cuz these bands have a right to tour to make a living. It’s my choice if I want to pay the crazy concert ticket prices to see the brand without the primary songwriters or integral classic band members….and for that reason, I will never see Judas Priest, AC/DC, Quiet Riot, Queensryche, Foreigner, etc…ever again.
I want to go, having only a couple original members left is fine, it’s the overpriced tickets they were charging that changed my mind. No way am I paying close to $200.00 for a decent seat to a concert unless it’s a special circumstance. I’ve paid more than that for JP once, but it was an aftermarket seat in the front row because it was the first time I saw them with Rob Halford. But this current lineup is not going to get my money when the cheap seats were almost a hundred dollars. I’m too much of a snob anyways and will always try to get the best seats. Probably would pay a hundred for a good seat, but not for crappy ones. So fix your prices accordingly, and maybe more people will show up.
Ticket prices, I mean OUTRAGEOUS ticket prices are out of control. Greed is one of the 7 deadly sins. I don’t have a problem if the original band is missing one member due to health, death or age. But if you’re touring as a band using the name to sell tickets like Foreigner or Kiss with no original members (Foreigner) or two key members being impersonated by clones (Kiss), I don’t think that’s right. Pantera, should’ve been called Pantera Celebration like Zakk always refers to it. Dave is Megadeth. They have a history of high turnover, but it’s been clear from day one that Dave is Megadeth, so no issues with Megadeth.
For me it just depends on who’s still in the band, seen JP last summer, of course I would’ve preferred 80’s Priest, but Halford still has the pipes, and that was more than enough for me! And Faulkner is as good as KK in my opinion, well, almost!
Bro, I agree that Halford still has the pipes…and he’s 74 years old! Most singers from the 80’s don’t have it anymore, unlike Halford. My dilemma with today’s Judas Priest is Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap, both fine guitarists, are primarily performing songs written by other musicians, KK Downing and Glenn Tipton. I want to see those who wrote the songs, perform the songs in concert.
As a die-hard Priest fan I see both sides of this. I saw them last fall with Alice Cooper. Rob has it still vocally. They dusted off Solar Angels and it was amazing to say the least. Ian Hill bass-steady in the same spot on stage since 1974. Scott Travis is their longest tenured drummer. My friend and I have not missed a Priest show since 1984. Even went thru the Ripper years. I always tell him after the last few shows that I feared it would be the last time we saw them live. Age has a tendency to catch up to us. But they still bring it IMO. It IS difficult not to see KK and Glenn out there and I get that some fans won’t go. Totally their decision and respected. But when the lights go down and War Pigs stop playing, it still makes the hair stand up on my arms, anxious for the show to begin. When that feeling stops I won’t go anymore