Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill retires after 57 years with the band
The musician is stepping down because of advanced arthritis and a torn shoulder tendon. Uriah Heep's Dave Rimmer will take his place.
Archive image · Photo: Tilly antoine / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Ian Hill, bassist of British heavy metal band Judas Priest, has announced his retirement. He cites advanced arthritis in his hands, knees and one shoulder. He also recently tore a tendon in his left shoulder, which made playing with the band even harder.
Hill said specialists believe surgery will probably not be needed, but there is no guarantee he will have the strength for a full concert. He said he had neglected his family for 57 years and now plans to spend the rest of his life making up for lost time with them.
Dave Rimmer, who plays in Uriah Heep, will replace Hill. The band called Hill their mainstay for the past 57 years. Rob Halford and the other members wished him well and said they would miss him very much. No date has been given for his final show with Judas Priest.