Judas Priest founding bassist Ian Hill will miss the band's September 21 London concert after sustaining a badly damaged tendon in his left arm. Uriah Heep's Dave Rimmer will temporarily step in to cover bass duties for the Faithkeepers Tour stop.
The Ian Hill injury marks a rare absence for the 73-year-old musician, who has been with Judas Priest since the band's formation in 1969. Hill is the only member to appear on every Judas Priest studio album and has maintained an unbroken performance record spanning more than five decades. The Judas Priest London concert will be the first time in the band's current touring cycle that the classic lineup has been altered due to health circumstances.
According to reports, the tendon damage to Hill's left arm required him to take immediate time off to recover. The band has not announced how long Hill will be sidelined or whether additional dates on the Faithkeepers Tour will be affected. Dave Rimmer, a veteran bassist known for his work with British rock legends Uriah Heep, will fill the crucial role for the London performance.
Metal Hall of Fame Legacy
Judas Priest was inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame in recognition of their defining role in shaping heavy metal as we know it. Formed in Birmingham, England, the band pioneered the twin-guitar attack, leather-and-studs aesthetic, and operatic vocal style that became blueprints for the genre. With classic albums like British Steel, Screaming for Vengeance, and Painkiller, Judas Priest established themselves as one of the most influential and enduring acts in metal history.
Ian Hill's contributions as the band's rhythmic anchor have been integral to Judas Priest's sound across nearly six decades. His steady, powerful bass lines have supported some of metal's most iconic songs, from "Breaking the Law" to "You've Got Another Thing Comin'." The bassist's commitment to the band has been unwavering—until now, injury has forced this rare interruption.
The Faithkeepers Tour continues to showcase Judas Priest's enduring power as a live act, with the band performing material from across their legendary catalog. Fans attending the September 21 London show will witness history as Dave Rimmer temporarily takes over bass duties, keeping the Metal Gods' performance schedule intact while Hill recovers.
