Judas Priest Guitarist Richie Faulkner Hospitalized With “Major Medical Heart Condition Issues,” U.S. Tour Postponed

Judas Priest have postponed the remainder of their current U.S. tour as a result of guitarist Richie Faulkner being hospitalized with “major medical heart condition issues.”

Says the band in a statement:

“It is with deep regret that we have to postpone the rest of our U.S. tour. Richie Faulkner has major medical heart condition issues which have landed him in the 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…”

Faulkner, 41, joined Judas Priest in 2011, replacing K.K. Downing. He appears on their albums Redeemer of Souls (2014) and Firepower (2018).

Here’s hoping Faulkner is alright and enjoys a speedy recovery.

Affected dates:

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

Judas Priest are currently scheduled to open for Ozzy Osbourne in Europe and the U.K. next year. Those dates are as follows:

Jan. 26 – Germany – Berlin Mercedes-Benz Arena [Tickets]
Jan. 28 – Czech Republic – Prague O2 Arena [Tickets]
Jan. 31 – Switzerland – Zurich Hallenstadion [Tickets]
Feb. 02 – Hungary – Budapest Budapest Arena (no Judas Priest) [Tickets]
Feb. 05 – Spain – Madrid WiZink Center [Tickets]
Feb. 08 – Italy – Bologna Unipol Arena [Tickets]
Feb. 11 – Germany – Mannheim SAP Arena [Tickets]
Feb. 14 – Germany – Hamburg Barclaycard Arena [Tickets]
Feb. 17 – Finland – Helsinki Hartwall Arena [Tickets]
Feb. 19 – Sweden – Stockholm Friends Arena [Tickets]
Feb. 21 – Germany – Dortmund Westfalenhalle [Tickets]
Feb. 24 – Germany – Munich Olympiahalle [Tickets]
Feb. 27 – UK – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena [Tickets]
Mar. 01 – Ireland – Dublin 3Arena [Tickets]
Mar. 04 – UK – Birmingham Resorts World Arena [Tickets]
Mar. 07 – UK – London The O2 [Tickets]
Mar. 09 – UK – Manchester AO Arena [Tickets]
Mar. 12 – UK – Newcastle Utilita Arena [Tickets]
Mar. 14 – UK – Glasgow The SSE Hydro [Tickets]