Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill has decided to retire and the band, and Hill, have released the following statements:
“It is with heavy hearts that we are sending out this personal message from our Ian….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:
“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 [forthcoming] 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 I’ve neglected my family life for fifty seven years, I’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.
The obvious choice for my replacement is Davey. He’s a great bassist, and a genuinely nice bloke who’ll fit the job perfectly, and I wish him the very best of luck!
There’s not a day goes by where I don’t give thanks for the incredible journey I’ve lived through, and it just remains for me to say that I love you all, and thank you for the life you’ve let me live.
Ian Hill”
Picture of new lineup:
14 Responses
I would like to wish Ian all the best in his retirement. 57 years is a very long time, and given the intensity of not only playing the sort of music that Judas Priest makes, but also giving it everything for up to two hours every night, must be incredibly hard on not just the body, but the mind too.
He’s certainly given us a lot, and he has, as he points out, neglected his family life because of it. I think that he’s fully earned and deserves a good retirement. Ian – all the best and thank you for everything that you ever contributed to Judas Priest and to us fans; all the very best to you.
Now another point if I may……
“How can this band now continue – especially as Judas Priest?”
2011 – KK Downing calls it a day. The dynamics changed, as they would.
Then Glenn Tipton has to call it a day due to Parkinson’s Disease. The dynamics changed even further. As I put it many moons ago on this website:
“How the hell can you call it Judas Priest without KK Downing AND Glenn Tipton? They were and are the sound of the band!”
And now Ian’s gone.
How can you honestly carry on calling yourselves Judas Priest when so much of what made it great is gone? Yes – Rob Halford, “The Metal God”; is still there. Scott Travis has been there since late 1989. But Judas Priest – as it was and should really have always been, is gone. Please, let’s not reduce something that was so great and powerful even further. The current line-up would be a great Halford band (which it really now is in my opinion).
Please guys – think long and hard and very, very carefully.
D.J.H., excellent observations. I have been of the opinion that this band shouldn’t be called “Judas Priest” once Glenn Tipton called it a day. No KK and no Glenn = no Judas Priest, to me. And now no Ian Hill????? This band should change its name to Halford, as this essentially is now his solo project.
It would be a sad day for heavy metal for both Black Sabbath and Judas Priest calling it a career, but their music carries on forever.
Great idea, maybe they should rename the band Metal God?
Such a huge part of their sound and stage presence. He looked like the ultimate bad ass heavy metal bassist on that stage. Rob and the guitarists moving around, Ian mostly playing thunder from inside his circle. October ’82 in NJ……opener was Iron Maiden, some of you may have heard of. “Number of the Beast” followed by “Screaming for Vengeance”…….probably can’t beat that show. The following October Quiet Riot opened for Iron Maiden at MSG, somehow got a spot leaning on the stage in front of Steve Harris.
Sounds like a great show.
Rattlehead – I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks this way.
Dana – The Halford name as a band is already established – even if for just a few albums. I understand why you suggested “Metal God; this is Mr Halford’s nickname. However, as a band name…. I don’t know, maybe a little too cliche?
Well, that is why I suggested it, since the Halford name is already established, I am uncertain if it would cause confusion(?).
Also, as we have witnessed with the many legal battles, over already official and established band names, such as Ratt, L.A. Guns and Great White, just to name a few, those monikers are invaluable.
I think creating a whole new identity, would be career suicide. This is why I do not believe, despite Halford, sadly, being the last man standing, they will ever change the band name. I am sure their manager, would also highly discourage it, as the Judas Priest title has a legacy and it highly profitable.
Also, since Halford is such a unique voice of the band, many, myself included, may argue he is the most important member of Judas Priest, anyway. Personally, we he left, that band ceased to exist for me.
Finally, in my humble opinion, should God forbid, or Metal God forbid (winky face), Halford decide that he can no longer continue with the group, at that time, they should absolutely retire the name.
So, now no original members. 🙁