Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill announces his retirement after nearly six decades with the band, citing health concerns and a desire to reconnect with family.
Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill has announced his retirement after 57 years with the legendary heavy metal band, citing advanced arthritis and concerns about his ability to perform live. Davey Rimmer of Uriah Heep will take over as the group’s full-time bassist.
Hill, one of only two musicians to appear on every Judas Priest album, shared the news in a statement posted by the band on social media. He revealed that arthritis has affected his left shoulder, right hand, both knees and right shoulder, making it increasingly difficult to continue performing.
The announcement follows Hill’s absence from Judas Priest’s September 21 show at London’s Eventim Apollo, the final date of the band’s 2026 Faithkeepers European tour. He had injured a tendon in his left shoulder during the Brussels concert two days earlier, leaving him unable to reach his bass’s neck. Rimmer stepped in for the London performance.
Ian Hill recorded the basslines for the new album but following touring schedule across Europe became questionable
Although Hill, 74, recorded bass parts for the band’s upcoming album, he said medical specialists could not guarantee that he would regain the strength needed to complete full live performances. He also cited his desire to spend more time with his family after decades on the road.
“There’s not a day goes by where I don’t give thanks for the incredible journey I’ve lived through, and it just remains for me to say that I love you all, and thank you for the life you’ve let me live X”
— Ian Hill
Hill joined the group that eventually became Judas Priest in 1969 alongside guitarist K.K. Downing. He later helped bring vocalist Rob Halford into the band. His recorded legacy spans 1974’s Rocka Rolla through 2024’s Invincible Shield, while his career includes nearly 3,000 concerts.
Following Downing’s departure in 2011, Hill became Judas Priest’s longest-serving member. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his bandmates in 2022.
Rimmer, who also plays with guitarist Richie Faulkner in Elegant Weapons, now takes on the role as Judas Priest enters a new chapter.
Here’s ian’s full statement:
Hello everyone, for a long time now, when asked “how long can you continue” – I’ve always answered “until my performances suffer”….
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.
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!
I’ve seen specialists, who suggest I might get away without surgery, but even if I don’t there’s no guarantee either way that I’ll have enough strength in my shoulder/arm to complete a whole stage show.
In view of all this, and the fact that I’ve neglected my family life for fifty seven years, I’ve decided to retire and spend the remaining years making up for it, and doing things with them before it involves one of ‘em pushing me around in a wheelchair.
The obvious choice for my replacement is Davey. He’s a great bassist, and a genuinely nice bloke who’ll fit the job perfectly, and I wish him the very best of luck!
There’s not a day goes by where I don’t give thanks for the incredible journey I’ve lived through, and it just remains for me to say that I love you all, and thank you for the life you’ve let me live X
– IAN HILL
In other news > Alter Bridge Premiere New Music Video for ‘Tested and Able’ Off Self-Titled Album
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