“He’s a fighter”: Judas Priest’s Richie Faulkner opens up about Glenn Tipton’s health
Ever since Judas Priest’s Glenn Tipton announced his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2018, he’s taken a step back from touring. More recently, Tipton rejoined his bandmates for a few dates of the Metal Masters tour, emerging during the encore to perform the likes of Metal Gods and Living After Midnight.
Tipton has continued to play a big role in the studio, but the return to the stage has been a pleasant surprise for fans. Guitarist Richie Faulkner has reflected on his bandmate’s health in light of his recent return to the stage. “He’s doing okay,” Faulkner tells Rolling Stone Brazil. “He was out [with us] in February. We went out to Los Angeles for the Grammys, and Glenn was there. And he is doing okay.”
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“Everyone knows Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease… I think you can kind of keep it at a certain level, but over time it does get worse,” he says. “But he’s in good spirits! He’s a fighter.”
“He’s a warrior, and he’s doing what he can to keep going,” Faulkner continues. “So, big respect to Glenn. And I’ll tell him that the fans asked [about him]. He will appreciate that.”
Last year, Tipton spoke out about his health in a Total Guitar interview. “Obviously the drawback for me now is Parkinson’s, and I’ve had to pass a lot of work onto [Faulkner’s] shoulders,” he admitted. “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!”
In terms of the live shows, Tipton said he “played what [he] could” despite the circumstances. “I am very proud of the whole album [2024’s Invincible Shield],” he added. “Richie 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.”
Faulkner also spoke to The Aquarian about the Invincible Shield recording process. “If Glenn can play it, then he’ll play it, and if he can’t play it, then I’ll take on the workload,” he said. “I mean, what’s wrong with that? That’s your duty — if something needs to be done, guitar or otherwise, you do it. You step up, you know?”
When Tipton first truly opened up about his diagnosis in 2022 to Guitar World, he said: “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.”
“With the medication and the time zone changes and everything else, I realised it was time to retire – from touring at least,” he explained. “I don’t ever want to compromise Judas Priest. It’s too big a part of my life.”
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