Judas Priest - Guitarist Glenn Tipton Diagnosed With Parkinson's Disease
Judas Priest has shared some sad news today. The band is gearing up for some heavy touring in support of their new album, Firepower. However, the legendary guitarist Glenn Raymond Tipton won't be as involved as before after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Guitarist and producer Andy Sneap (Hell, Sabbat) will be stepping in for Tipton on the next tour. Original guitarist K.K. Downing had already retired back in 2011 and now they lose Tipton as well for the live shows but he doesn't rule out a comeback.
The band explained in a statement: "Ten years ago Glenn was diagnosed to have the onset of the early stages of Parkinson's - from then until recently Glenn has lived his life as the great heavy metal guitar player he has always been, maintaining by his own definition a standard of quality and performance that is incredibly important.
"Right now Glenn is able to play and perform some of the Priest songs that are less challenging but due to the nature of Parkinson's progression he wants to let you all know that he won't be touring as such - True to the metal spirit of 'the show must go on' Glenn has requested Andy Sneap to fly the flag on stage for him."
"I want everyone to know that it's vital that the Judas Priest tour go ahead and that I am not leaving the band - it's simply that my role has changed. I don't rule out the chance to go on stage as and when I feel able to blast out some Priest! So at some point in the not too distant future I'm really looking forward to seeing all of our wonderful metal maniacs once again."
Rob, Richie, Ian and Scott have this to say: "We have been privileged to witness Glenn's determination and steadfast commitment over the years, showing his passion and self belief through the writing, recording and performing sessions with Priest - he is a true metal hero! We are not surprised by Glenn's insistence that we complete the Firepower tour and thank Andy for joining us to make Glenn's wishes become real - As Glenn has said we also can't wait to have him with us at any time any place on the road... We love you Glenn!"
The band explained in a statement: "Ten years ago Glenn was diagnosed to have the onset of the early stages of Parkinson's - from then until recently Glenn has lived his life as the great heavy metal guitar player he has always been, maintaining by his own definition a standard of quality and performance that is incredibly important.
"Right now Glenn is able to play and perform some of the Priest songs that are less challenging but due to the nature of Parkinson's progression he wants to let you all know that he won't be touring as such - True to the metal spirit of 'the show must go on' Glenn has requested Andy Sneap to fly the flag on stage for him."
"I want everyone to know that it's vital that the Judas Priest tour go ahead and that I am not leaving the band - it's simply that my role has changed. I don't rule out the chance to go on stage as and when I feel able to blast out some Priest! So at some point in the not too distant future I'm really looking forward to seeing all of our wonderful metal maniacs once again."
Rob, Richie, Ian and Scott have this to say: "We have been privileged to witness Glenn's determination and steadfast commitment over the years, showing his passion and self belief through the writing, recording and performing sessions with Priest - he is a true metal hero! We are not surprised by Glenn's insistence that we complete the Firepower tour and thank Andy for joining us to make Glenn's wishes become real - As Glenn has said we also can't wait to have him with us at any time any place on the road... We love you Glenn!"
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Comments: 22
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| AndreMarcos Posts: 218  |
Sad news indeed, but a true legend knows when it is time to say goodbye and put an end to it and he did just that. Wish him all the best
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| Daniell _爱情_ Elite Posts: 6101  |
He had no choice. Parkinson's is a degenerative disease, and I'm afraid that he will never return to the band. I have tickets for JP gig in June, and I will still attend, but it'll be a bit weird to see Judas Priest without BOTH Tipton and Downing...
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| Athropos Burning inside Posts: 161  |
Fuck. Written by Daniell on 12.02.2018 at 14:33 At least Rob and Ian will be there. And I saw them 2 years ago and Richie does a very good job, he has the energy and he clearly enjoys being part of JP. Still, it's a very sad news, nobody should be suffering from these fucking degenerative diseases...
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| Deviant Posts: 46  |
What the fuck?! I didn't even know he was in the beginning stages of Parkinson's. This sucks. This is just sad. Glenn will always be a legend to me. Although as sad as it is that Glenn won't be on the tour, I'm glad they have Andy Sneap to fill in. I think he's pretty great too...has a great sound and style. I fucking love Hell.
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| Rot Teufel Posts: 124  |
Really sad, but that's explain why they'll not do anymore any world tour after Epitaph... So when i see Priest live in 2008 and 2012 Tipton was already ill...
---- Destroy all dreams, illusion damned in fire... A hellish need for power, it's my dark desire...
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| Dungeon Shaker Posts: 63  |
Written by Daniell on 12.02.2018 at 14:33 At what point are they simply a cover band? I adore Glenn Tipton and wish him the very best, but this show must go on crap needs to stop, which does extend beyond the Priest, its how we end up with the Adam Lambert fronted Queen situations. Abhorrent abominations of past glories so great.
---- www.thunderousvoices.com
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| TheMAGAmvm Soycrusher Posts: 1086  |
Written by Dungeon Shaker on 12.02.2018 at 17:23 You do realize that both Queen with Adam and JP keep this 'show must go on' bullshit for money, right?
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| nikarg Staff Posts: 7351  |
I never thought I'd say this but t's time to call it quits. I hope Firepower turns out good and after this tour they can just retire with respect and honoring their history instead of becoming a joke. It was bizarre to see them without KK three years ago and now in July I'll see them without Glenn... fuck. I hope he manages to cope with this illness in the best possible way. As for the band, 45 years of producing some of the greatest heavy metal songs/albums ever recorded is a good enough legacy. I'm fucking overwhelmed. It was more than 27 years ago when I played the Painkiller CD for the first time and I can remember the sound and the impact it had on me like it was yesterday.
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| Dungeon Shaker Posts: 63 |
Written by TheMAGAmvm on 12.02.2018 at 18:14 Of course, but naturally, it's not going to stop my complaining about it.
---- www.thunderousvoices.com
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| Azarath Free as a.. Fish Posts: 965  |
Awful news. Priest without Tipton and Downing? Well, they have a tour booked (and an album coming out) so rather than cancelling the dates they choose to go out with a replacement. I can understand that. After that, it's surely over. They've had a good run.
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| TheMAGAmvm Soycrusher Posts: 1086 |
Written by nikarg on 12.02.2018 at 18:40 KK's departure did not make much of a fuss. Not as much as some people would have expected. Faulkner was competent enough to hold on his own. Andy Sneap is a veteran as well, a terrific guitarist and songwriter, not to mention producer. He will more than likely hold on his own as well. Tipton will still be part of JP, but more in the studio, less playing live. I'd still pay the buck to see them even in this formula. Rob, Ian, Faulkner, Sneap and Scott.
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| nikarg Staff Posts: 7351 |
New clip just out, 20 seconds. Not good timing, I say. On a more positive note, I think this album is gonna kick ass from what has been revealed so far.
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| Engineer2110 Posts: 5 |
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| pandrstudios Posts: 66 |
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| sbgmetal Posts: 867  |
Its like i just found out a good friend of mine just got sick.... i dont know what to say the guy is one of my favorite guitarists...
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| Malignar Posts: 285 |
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| Aries Rising Posts: 569  |
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| Kais Posts: 610  |
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| Autistic.Pagan Posts: 454  |
Written by Dungeon Shaker on 12.02.2018 at 17:23 Sadly.....That was very well said. I agree.
---- What is the difference between the man who fools you from the pulpit, and the other man who fools you from the platform? Both of them seek to obtain power over you - To rule your mind, control your property interests or labor power.
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| mskywalker18 Posts: 31  |
Reading this piece of news as I'm listening to the "Last of the Wilds" by Nightwish... Not the biggest Priest fan here but I do respect them for what they have offered in Metal (or mostly because they've partly defined metal). Sure it's sad news but this way or another we can't have the "original" heavy metal bands exist forever. But their music will. I believe that in some point in the future, heavy metal will be what's classical music for us now. It'll be performed in large concerts by cover bands/artists. "Future-cover-band-name performing Judas Priest's Painkiller album". I'm afraid that any kind of music "dies" when the artists that invented it retire. Not because new bands are bad but mostly because everything will have already been composed more or less... Who knows, maybe not... Anyway... I wish he'll be fine and maybe he can still play after some treatment?
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| CobiWan1993 Secundum Filium Posts: 1365  |
Oh no! This is really sad news! I wish Glenn Tipton all the best.
---- Ordinary men hate solitude. But the Master makes use of it, embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole universe (Lao Tzu).
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