Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill has announced his retirement from the band effective immediately. The founding member confirmed that he has taken the difficult decision to bring his career to a close due to an ongoing battle with arthritis. He also revealed that Davey Rimmer of Uriah Heep will take over his role in Judas Priest.
In his statement, Hill explained the toll the condition has taken on him: “I hate to say it, but that time has come. 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, established in my right shoulder, and present in both knees. I’ve been fighting this with painkilling pills, gels, and recently with cortisone injections in my shoulder and hand.”
The bassist described how the situation came to a head on the road: “Although I was able to put bass lines to the songs for the new album, there were questions whether I’d be able to complete the recent European tour without incident, so we asked our good friend Davey Rimmer from Uriah Heep, and of course Elegant Weapons, to learn the set list to stand in for me if I had to pull out, which I did for the London show. This was due to me snapping a tendon in my left shoulder (as if I didn’t have enough problems with it!) just before the encores during the Brussels show two days before. This led to me not being able to lift my arm enough to reach the neck of my bass. So we had to call Davey to stand in for me, who put in an incredible performance at such short notice!”
Hill added that specialists have advised he might avoid surgery. However, there is no guarantee he would regain enough strength in his shoulder to complete a full stage show. He has decided to retire and spend his remaining years with his family, noting that he has neglected his family life for fifty-seven years. He also named Davey as the obvious choice for his replacement, calling him a great bassist and a genuinely nice bloke who will fit the job perfectly. Finally, he thanked his fans for the life they have let him live.
Judas Priest responded to the news with a message of their own: “It is with heavy hearts that we are sending out this personal message from our Ian….he has been the backbone of Judas Priest for so long and will be greatly missed by us all….we wish him well in his retirement and welcome Davey into the Priest Family….”
Hill’s farewell closes a career that stretches back to the band’s earliest days. His successor arrives with a résumé built over years of touring. The context of both careers helps explain why the change marks a significant moment for the band.
Hill joined the heavy metal pioneers in 1970, three years before singer Rob Halford and four before guitarist Glenn Tipton. He is the only person to have performed on all 19 of Judas Priest’s studio albums, from 1974’s “Rocka Rolla” onward. He remained the sole original member of the group, which formed in 1969.
Rimmer’s promotion follows a practical test run earlier this fall. Hill was forced to sit out the band’s September 21 concert at the Eventim Apollo in London after sustaining a badly damaged tendon in his left arm. His temporary replacement for the gig was Uriah Heep’s Davey Rimmer. The show was the final date of Judas Priest’s 2026 “Faithkeepers” European tour.
Hill himself confirmed that arrangement in his statement, “We asked our good friend Davey Rimmer from Uriah Heep, and of course Elegant Weapons, to learn the set list to stand in for me if I had to pull out, which I did for the London show.” Rimmer has played bass for Uriah Heep. He has also performed with Elegant Weapons, the side project of Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner.
The retirement comes during an active period for Judas Priest. The band released its 19th studio album, “Invincible Shield,” in March 2024. With this release, they became the first heavy metal act to release studio albums 50 years apart. Judas Priest was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. The group has sold more than 50 million records worldwide.
