Judas Priest postpones tour after guitarist Richie Faulkner hospitalized
Heavy metal band Judas Priest is putting their tour on hold while their bandmate recovers from a medical issue.
The band issued a statement on social media Monday sending love to guitarist Richie Faulkner who is currently recovering in the hospital.
"It is with deep regret that we have to postpone the rest of our US Tour – Richie has major medical heart condition issues which have landed him in hospital where he is being treated – in the meantime we are all sending love to our Falcon to wish him a speedy recovery...," the statement read.
The English heavy metal band most recently played at the Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville. The next stops on their current tour included shows in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.
"As soon as we have any updates from his doctors on when we can reschedule the dates we will of course announce them - tickets will be valid," the statement added.
Judas Priest was touring for its 50th anniversary, after the band's original 2020 tour dates were canceled due to the pandemic.
Forming in the 1970s the band's first international tour was in 1974. Since then the group has been a staple on the road.
"It's good to be all together again on stage," bassist Ian Hill told The Louisville Courier-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, ahead of the U.S. leg of the tour. "During COVID, we were stranded some in the United States and some of us were in England ... I think more than anyone my wife wanted to get rid of me before I started moving the house. She definitely wanted me back on tour."
Fans and fellow musicians spent messages of a speedy recovery to Faulkner.
"God speed Richie ???? you’re the best!," Eric Peterson, of metal band Testament, wrote.
Iron Maidens guitarist Courtney Cox wrote: "Get well soon."
"Wishing you much strength with your recovery (brother)... we love you & your family much," Korn drummer Ray Luzier wrote.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judas Priest: Richie Faulkner hospitalized, tour postponed in the US
