Ian Hill, founding member and bassist of Judas Priest, has announced his departure after nearly six decades in the band, citing serious health problems. His place is taken by Davey Rimmer, known for his work with Uriah Heep.
“`His decision closes one of the longest runs in heavy metal: Hill joined Judas Priest in their early years, in Birmingham in 1969, and remained the only founding member throughout the band’s entire journey.
In his own statement he explains that arthritis and a shoulder injury led to the decision. «For a long time, when I was asked how long I could carry on, I would answer until my performances suffer… I hate to say it, but that time has come». The arthritis has advanced in his left shoulder and right hand, has settled in his right shoulder and is also in both knees, and he was managing it with painkillers, gels and cortisone injections.
He managed to record the bass for the songs on the new album, but there were doubts over whether he would get through the European tour. That is why they asked Davey Rimmer to learn the setlist so he could step in if needed. This happened at the London show, after Hill tore a tendon in his left shoulder shortly before the encores at the Brussels concert two days earlier and could not raise his arm to the neck of the bass.
Doctors told him he might avoid surgery, but either way there is no guarantee he would have the strength for a whole live show. As he says, he neglected his family life for 57 years and wants to spend the coming years with them, putting Rimmer forward as his replacement, whom he calls an excellent bassist and a good man.
Judas Priest said goodbye to Hill with a message, saying he had been their backbone for so long and welcoming Davey into the Priest family. The band had announced before their 21 September show at London’s Eventim Apollo that Hill would not play, with Rimmer covering on bass — it was the final stop of the 2026 «Faithkeepers» European tour.
Rimmer has played with Uriah Heep and is also linked to Judas Priest through Elegant Weapons.
See also: Judas Priest: a show without Ian Hill for the first time in 56 years and Judas Priest – Invincible Shield.
