Judas Priest have been forced to postpone the remaining dates of their 50th anniversary tour, due to guitarist Richie Faulkner being hospitalized with a heart condition.
The group issued the following statement:
“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… 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.“
Additional details have been implied based on Black Label Society’s Zakk Wylde’s Tweet stating Faulkner underwent heart surgery, and wished for a safe recovery.
“PRAYERS of STRENGTH & LIGHT To Our JEDI BRETHREN O’ SHRED – FATHER RICHIE FAULKNER Who Underwent Heart Surgery – LOVE YOU FATHER RICHIE Along w/YOUR BL FAMILY WORLDWIDE – I’ll be checking in on you – Get Better My Brother • tBLSt SDMF @judaspriest”
PRAYERS of STRENGTH & LIGHT To Our JEDI BRETHREN O’ SHRED – FATHER RICHIE FAULKNER Who Underwent Heart Surgery – LOVE YOU FATHER RICHIE Along w/YOUR BL FAMILY WORLDWIDE – I’ll be checking in on you – Get Better My Brother • tBLSt SDMF @judaspriest pic.twitter.com/7MHILQcX68
— Zakk Wylde (@ZakkWyldeBLS) September 28, 2021
These metal legends kicked off their rescheduled tour earlier this month, where Metal Insider’s Jeff Podoshen was lucky to experience the event in Reading, PA. Even Metallica’s Kirk Hammett had a moment to share the stage with these icons. While already making great memories for many fans to see, our thoughts are with Faulkner wishing him a safe and healthy recovery.
After months of live events being put on hold due to the ongoing pandemic, it’s been a constant struggle trying to see the return of some sense of normalcy. Between Nonpoint’s trailer accident to mother nature leaving festivals such as Bonnaroo to cancel, on top of bands struggling to complete a tour without anyone getting COVID, this has been one exceptionally challenging year. This literally makes every single show more meaningful as this time of uncertainty continues.
Effected Tour Dates, rescheduling TBA:
9/29/2021 Denver CO @ The Mission Ballroom
9/30/2021 West Valley City UT @ Maverik Center
10/2/2021 Everett WA @ Angel Of The Winds Arena
10/3/2021 Portland OR @ Moda Center
10/5/2021 Oakland CA @ Fox Theater
10/6/2021 Los Angeles CA @ Microsoft Theater
10/8/2021 Las Vegas NV @ Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood
10/9/2021 Phoenix AZ @ Arizona Federal Theatre
10/12/2021 San Antonio TX @ Freeman Coliseum
10/13/2021 Cedar Park TX @ HEB Center Cedar Park
10/15/2021 Irving TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
10/16/2021 Oklahoma City OK @ The Zoo Amphitheatre
10/19/2021 Independence MO @ Cable Dahmer Arena
10/21/2021 Nashville TN @ Nashville Municipal Auditorium
10/22/2021 Alpharetta GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
10/24/2021 Charleston WV @ Charleston Civic Center Coliseum
10/25/2021 Philadelphia PA @ The Met
10/27/2021 Newark NJ @ Prudential Center
10/28/2021 Oxon Hill MD @ The Theater at MGM National Harbor
10/30/2021 Mashantucket CT @ Foxwoods Resort Casino – Grand Theater
10/31/2021 Lowell MA @ Tsongas Center At UMass Lowell
11/2/2021 Halifax NS @ Scotiabank Centre
11/4/2021 Laval QC @ Place Bell
11/5/2021 Hamilton ON @ FirstOntario Centre
