Ian Hill calls it quits as Judas Priest bassist after 57 years

Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill has announced his retirement. The 74 year old Englishman has been struggling with rheumatism for years, which means he can no longer manage a full show on stage. In a lengthy statement, he explains that he always answered that he would carry on "until my performances suffer." According to him, that moment has now arrived.

Hill describes the condition as advanced in his left shoulder and right hand, permanent in his right shoulder, and also present in both knees. He fought the pain with pills, gels and, more recently, cortisone injections in his shoulder and hand. He was still able to record the bass lines for the new album, but there were doubts about the recent European tour. That's why Davey Rimmer, bassist of Uriah Heep and Elegant Weapons, was asked to learn the setlist in advance as a backup.

That precaution turned out to be necessary. During the show in Brussels, just before the encores, Hill tore a tendon in his left shoulder, leaving him unable to raise his arm high enough to reach the neck of his bass. Two days later, he missed a Judas Priest show for the first time ever, at the Eventim Apollo in London. Rimmer stepped in, and in Hill's own words delivered an "incredible performance" at very short notice. Specialists think surgery may not be needed, but according to Hill there's no guarantee he'd have enough strength afterwards for a complete show.

Hill also cites his family as a reason. He says he has neglected them for fifty seven years and wants to spend his remaining years making up for it, "before it involves one of em pushing me around in a wheelchair." Rimmer is his suggested successor: "a great bassist, and a genuinely nice bloke." The band wrote on social media that Hill was "the backbone of Judas Priest" and that Rimmer is welcome in the Priest Family.

Hill joined the band in 1970, three years before singer Rob Halford and four years before guitarist Glenn Tipton. He is the only member who appears on all nineteen studio albums, from Rocka Rolla in 1974 to Invincible Shield in 2024. With his departure, the last founding member leaves the lineup, after guitarist K.K. Downing already quit in 2011. Rob Halford is now the longest serving member. According to reports, the live lineup consists of Halford, Richie Faulkner, Scott Travis, Rimmer and Andy Sneap, who plays live guitar because Tipton officially still belongs to the band.

For fans, there's no real rush for now: Judas Priest have no more shows on the calendar this year. The next scheduled gigs are in June 2027 in Oslo, though more dates could still be added. Uriah Heep said that Rimmer will keep playing with them in 2026 and at all shows in 2027 where the schedule allows, and that a replacement will be announced for the remaining gigs.