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Miles Archer

(18,837 posts)
Mon Feb 12, 2018, 01:13 PM Feb 2018

Judas Priest Guitarist Glenn Tipton Steps Back From Tour Due to Parkinson's

Judas Priest Guitarist Glenn Tipton Steps Back From Tour Due to Parkinson's

Judas Priest announced that its longtime guitarist, Glenn Tipton, is taking a step back from touring due to his battle with Parkinson's disease. The heavy metal legends will embark on their Firepower Tour in March.

"Ten years ago Glenn was diagnosed to have the onset of the early stages of Parkinson's," the band said in a statement. "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."

Tipton added, in a personal statement: "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.”

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/judas-priests-glenn-tipton-wont-tour-due-to-parkinsons-w516587
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Judas Priest Guitarist Glenn Tipton Steps Back From Tour Due to Parkinson's (Original Post) Miles Archer Feb 2018 OP
Bummer, man ... KK can't do it all by himself too many intertwined guitars in a lot of JP songs mr_lebowski Feb 2018 #1
KK hasnt been in Priest since 2011 jmowreader Feb 2018 #4
Wow that's too bad OriginalGeek Feb 2018 #2
This is where I feel the loss...right here. Miles Archer Feb 2018 #5
gat DANG! OriginalGeek Feb 2018 #6
Yikes! Iggo Feb 2018 #3
Applause shenmue Feb 2018 #7
 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
1. Bummer, man ... KK can't do it all by himself too many intertwined guitars in a lot of JP songs
Mon Feb 12, 2018, 01:20 PM
Feb 2018

Wonder who they'd get to replace him for the tour?

Best wishes Glenn, hoping for a cure for ya!

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
2. Wow that's too bad
Mon Feb 12, 2018, 01:37 PM
Feb 2018

First they lost KK Downing and now Glenn...I'm just not sure how Judas Priesty it can be without the twin guitar attack of Tipton/Downing. I've only heard one of the new songs and it was better than some of their previous newer material but man, I will sure miss the old days of Judas Priest. Seen them many times from the Defenders of the Faith tour on...

Miles Archer

(18,837 posts)
5. This is where I feel the loss...right here.
Mon Feb 12, 2018, 08:09 PM
Feb 2018

"Victim of Changes," the "Live At Seminole Hard Rock" DVD that came with the "British Steel" anniversary reissue.



The 8 minute mark...the band has played this tune a lot of times, but the precision, intensity and brevity of Tipton's solo on this one more than adequately illustrates his contribution to the band.

Read a nice quote from Halford earlier today. When Tipton discussed his decision with the band, he said "It's all about the BAND, what's best for the BAND," and Halford said "I told him "NO, it's all about what's best for YOU," but that shows you what kind of heart he has."

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