Judas Priest's Ian Hill retires after 56 years in the band
Hill is stepping away after playing on all 19 studio albums, and Davey Rimmer takes over after filling in at a London show.
- On Friday, October 9, 2026, Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill announced his immediate retirement after 57 years with the band, citing an ongoing battle with arthritis.
- Hill struggled for years with advanced arthritis in his shoulders, knees, and hands, managing symptoms with pain medication and cortisone injections before snapping a tendon in his left shoulder during a Brussels show.
- Davey Rimmer of Uriah Heep will replace Hill, having already performed at the London show last month, with Hill calling him a "great bassist, and a genuinely nice bloke."
- Judas Priest released a statement expressing "heavy hearts" while welcoming Rimmer into the "Priest Family," as Hill concluded by thanking fans for the "incredible journey I've lived through."
- As the last original member from the band's 1969 formation, Hill leaves a legacy spanning 19 studio albums, including 2024's "Invincible Shield," and plans to focus on family life.
10 Articles
10 Articles
“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, my right shoulder, and both knees”: Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill retires with immediate effect
Hill has played on every Priest album to date, including genre-defining classics British Steel and Screaming For Vengeance
Due to problems with his left shoulder and the right hand, the musician retires. The 74-year-old was a member of the legendary heavy metal band for 57 years.
JUDAS PRIEST's IAN HILL Announces His Retirement; URIAH HEEP's DAVE RIMMER To Step In
JUDAS PRIEST's founding bassist Ian Hill has announced his retirement from the band. His replacement is URIAH HEEP's Dave Rimmer, who previously stepped in for Hill during JUDAS PRIEST's September 21 concert at the Eventim Apollo in London, United Kingdom after Ian sustained what was described at th...
Judas Priest dismisses one of his legendary members, after a long walk through the scenes of the whole world. The Legendary entry of Judas Priest leaves the band: he undergoes a serious illness that prevents him from playing was first published on Radioacktiva.com.
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