Judas Priest’s lead guitarist has taken to Facebook to share a heartfelt message, addressing his struggle with Parkinson’s disease as well as the future of the iconic metal band.
Tipton is currently not partaking in the band’s US tour, with his spot being filled by Hell/Sabbat guitarist Andy Sneap, who also produced the band’s record, Firepower.
In the open letter, Tipton acknowledges his absence from the tour, sharing the details of his daily struggles with the degenerative disease.
“By now many of you will know I won’t be doing the forthcoming Judas Priest tour because of health issues,” the guitarist writes. “I’m so sorry but four years ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and was told by my specialist that I had already had it for over ten years.”
He goes on to say that he believes that his health would compromise the live abilities of the band but is hopeful that will be as “strong as ever”.
“I have good days and bad days but the disease is degenerative and I would never want to compromise the greatest metal band in the world,” he continues, saying he decided to step down during rehearsals and trust Sneap to fill in for him. “I’m sure the band will be as strong than ever.”
He mentioned that the disease isn’t the end of the road for his involvement in the band, saying “I’ll still be able to write and record and on good days even join the band on stage for a few songs,” he points out. “With new medication and advances being made who knows what the future holds—but one thing’s for sure—it will certainly involve Priest!”
