Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner recently shared his perspective on veteran acts choosing to tour without their original or classic lineups.
During an appearance on the “Metal Forever Music Defenders Of Metal” podcast, the guitarist was asked for his thoughts on long-running groups hitting the road without all of their foundational members. Addressing criticisms aimed at bands like Rush, Richie Faulkner defended the practice, emphasizing that ticket sales and audience attendance are the ultimate deciding factors.
“I think as long as the guys wanna do it, they should do it. If people don’t wanna go, then don’t go. And people kind of vote with their ticket, don’t they? If Rush got up there and you’ve got 20,000 people in an auditorium and the guys wanna do it, do it. But if Rush turned up and there was five people there, they’ve got an issue. Maybe people don’t wanna see it. I can name other bands as well. If the guys wanna do it and people are showing up in the thousands to see it, then why not do it? If people don’t wanna go, then don’t. Simple as that. That’s what I’d say,” he explained.
The topic is directly relevant to the current state of Judas Priest. Vocalist Rob Halford and bassist Ian Hill are the only members from the group’s classic era currently performing on stage. The active touring lineup is rounded out by guitarists Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap, alongside long-time drummer Scott Travis.
Ian Hill stands as the sole remaining founding member of Judas Priest, which originally formed in 1969. Rob Halford joined the ranks in 1973, followed by guitarist Glenn Tipton in 1974. Rob Halford stepped away in the early 1990s to pursue other projects before officially returning in 2003. Founding guitarist K.K. Downing exited the group in 2011, citing internal conflict and management issues, leading to Richie Faulkner stepping in as his permanent replacement.
Judas Priest “Faithkeepers” European Tour 2026 Dates:
- July 26, 2026 – Neu-Ulm, Germany – Wiley Sportpark
- July 28, 2026 – Warsaw, Poland – Torwar
- August 2, 2026 – Ostrava, Czech Republic – Ostrava Arena
- August 4, 2026 – Bratislava, Slovakia – Nepala Arena
- August 6, 2026 – Halle, Germany – Messehalle
- August 12, 2026 – Tilburg, Netherlands – O13
- August 16, 2026 – Carhaix-Plouguer, France – Motocultor Festival
- August 18, 2026 – Pamplona, Spain – Navarra Arena
- August 20, 2026 – Valencia, Spain – Roig Arena
- August 23, 2026 – Goarshausen, Germany – Loreley Amphitheatre
- August 25, 2026 – Pula, Croatia – Pula Arena
- August 28, 2026 – Belgrade, Serbia – Belgrade Arena
- August 29, 2026 – Sofia, Bulgaria – Vidas Art Arena
- September 1, 2026 – Budapest, Hungary – Budapest Arena
- September 3, 2026 – Pordenone, Italy – Parco S. Valentino
- September 5, 2026 – Brescia, Italy – Teatro Clerici
- September 7, 2026 – Bari, Italy – Fiera del Levante
- September 9, 2026 – Rome, Italy – Cavea Auditorium Parco della Musica
- September 11, 2026 – Bern, Switzerland – Festhalle
- September 12, 2026 – Strasbourg, France – Zenith
- September 14, 2026 – Lyon, France – LDLC Arena (Décines-Charpieu)
- September 15, 2026 – Bordeaux, France – Arkéa Arena (Floirac)
- September 17, 2026 – Paris, France – Arena Zenith
- September 18, 2026 – Brussels, Belgium – Forest National
