Earlier this week, Judas Priest were forced to call off the remainder of their in-progress U.S. tour after guitarist Richie Faulkner was hospitalized with “major medical heart condition issues.” The 41-year-old musician’s partner, Mariah Lynch (daughter of guitarist George Lynch), has since said that following emergency surgery, Faulkner is “stable and resting.”
Now Tesla guitarist Frank Hannon has revealed on social media that, at least according to what he’s heard, Faulkner suffered a heart attack mid-performance, and subsequently underwent ten-hour open-heart surgery.
Hannon’s claim is in line with Lynch’s assertion that Faulkner “finished the show & kept the hair flips coming” even though he knew that he needed medical help.
Says Hannon:
“Sending love and healing power to Richie Faulkner… I haven’t met him yet but he’s a rock n roll brother that my guitar playing friends all love very much and they tell me how cool of a guy he is. Wishing him a fast recovery! Hang in there Richie and I look forward to meeting / jamming with you someday! You got this! 🤘❤️🙏”
Faulkner joined Judas Priest in 2011, replacing K.K. Downing. He appears on their albums Redeemer of Souls (2014) and Firepower (2018). Here’s hoping the guitarist is out of the woods and on the mend.
Judas Priest are scheduled to play support on Ozzy Osbourne’s tour of Europe and the U.K. next year. Dates are below.
As for Hannon, this is the second time he’s made it into the news this week, after admitting that he was previously “on the wrong side” with regards to his skepticism of the severity of COVID-19 and his hesitancy to get vaccinated against it.
Ozzy + Priest Dates
Jan. 26 – Germany – Berlin Mercedes-Benz Arena [Tickets]
Jan. 28 – Czech Republic – Prague O2 Arena [Tickets]
Jan. 31 – Switzerland – Zurich Hallenstadion [Tickets]
Feb. 02 – Hungary – Budapest Budapest Arena (no Judas Priest) [Tickets]
Feb. 05 – Spain – Madrid WiZink Center [Tickets]
Feb. 08 – Italy – Bologna Unipol Arena [Tickets]
Feb. 11 – Germany – Mannheim SAP Arena [Tickets]
Feb. 14 – Germany – Hamburg Barclaycard Arena [Tickets]
Feb. 17 – Finland – Helsinki Hartwall Arena [Tickets]
Feb. 19 – Sweden – Stockholm Friends Arena [Tickets]
Feb. 21 – Germany – Dortmund Westfalenhalle [Tickets]
Feb. 24 – Germany – Munich Olympiahalle [Tickets]
Feb. 27 – UK – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena [Tickets]
Mar. 01 – Ireland – Dublin 3Arena [Tickets]
Mar. 04 – UK – Birmingham Resorts World Arena [Tickets]
Mar. 07 – UK – London The O2 [Tickets]
Mar. 09 – UK – Manchester AO Arena [Tickets]
Mar. 12 – UK – Newcastle Utilita Arena [Tickets]
Mar. 14 – UK – Glasgow The SSE Hydro [Tickets]
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