In a moment that resonated deeply with heavy metal fans worldwide, Judas Priest was once again joined by their beloved guitarist Glenn Tipton on stage during the band’s concert at The O2 in London on Friday night, July 25. Tipton‘s appearance, a poignant tradition in recent years, saw him perform the classic song “Living After Midnight,” the final track of the group’s set. Fan-filmed video of this moment quickly circulated, capturing the raw emotion and enduring spirit of one of metal’s true heroes. You can watch it down below.
Tipton’s presence on stage is always significant, given his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was diagnosed with the progressive neurodegenerative disorder more than a decade ago, though he had been experiencing symptoms for at least five years prior to his diagnosis. In early 2018, Tipton made the difficult decision to step back from extensive touring in support of Judas Priest‘s Firepower album, recognizing that the rigors of life on the road would be too challenging. His role in the touring band was subsequently taken over by Andy Sneap, the acclaimed producer behind both Firepower and the band’s latest album, Invincible Shield. Sneap is also known for his work with NWOBHM revivalists Hell and thrash outfit Sabbat.
Despite stepping away from full-time touring, Tipton has remained an integral part of Judas Priest’s creative process. In an April 2024 interview with Total Guitar magazine, he discussed his contributions to Invincible Shield, stating, “I played what I could and am very proud of the whole album. Richie [Faulkner, fellow Priest guitarist] helped a lot. I think his strongest attribute is his ability to adapt to different styles whilst maintaining his own very strong character. Priest require a guitarist who can shift from out-and-out metal to more melodic tracks.” Tipton added a powerful statement of resilience: “Obviously the drawback for me now is Parkinson’s, and I’ve had to pass a lot of work onto his shoulders. I keep pushing myself because I believe in ‘no surrender’. This disease won’t beat me, and I will continue writing and playing for as long as I can.”
Richie Faulkner corroborated Tipton’s unwavering commitment during the creation of Invincible Shield. He explained to Total Guitar that the band worked around Glenn’s condition, ensuring his involvement. “If Glenn was having a good day, he’d play the part. If he couldn’t, I’d do it.” Faulkner emphasized the importance of Tipton’s contributions, highlighting songs like “Sons Of Thunder” as classic examples of Glenn’s distinctive style. “He was as involved as he could be and it was important for us to involve him.”
Tipton, who turned 77 last October, first spoke publicly about his diagnosis in early 2018 in an interview with Guitar World magazine. “It was upsetting, but I wasn’t really shocked because I sort of thought it was Parkinson’s. I probably hoped it wasn’t but the doctor said it was.” The revelation that he had likely been living with the disease for 10 to 15 years before official diagnosis only fueled his determination: “Hearing that I already had Parkinson’s for a long time made me even more determined to fight. I could still play, so I just continued recording and touring.” Ultimately, he decided to step back from touring approximately a month before the Firepower tour began, realizing he couldn’t guarantee consistent, high-energy performances. “I don’t ever want to compromise Judas Priest. It’s too big a part of my life,” he asserted.
The Judas Priest setlist at The O2 in London on July 25, 2025, was as follows (via Setlist.fm):
- “All Guns Blazing”
- “Hell Patrol”
- “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'”
- “Freewheel Burning”
- “Breaking the Law”
- “A Touch of Evil”
- “Night Crawler”
- “Solar Angels”
- “Gates of Hell”
- “Between the Hammer and the Anvil”
- “Giants in the Sky”
- “Painkiller”
Encore:
- “Hell Bent for Leather”
- “Living After Midnight” (with Glenn Tipton)
