Judas Priest closed their Faithkeepers European tour at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith on 21 September without Ian Hill. The bassist has a badly damaged tendon in his left arm.
Dave Rimmer took the stage instead. He plays bass in Uriah Heep and is Richie Faulkner's bandmate in Elegant Weapons, so the arrangement was made from inside the band's own circle.
“Ian has a badly damaged tendon in his left arm so unfortunately he won't be able to play at our Hammersmith Apollo Eventim show on Monday 21st September,” the band said. “Our good friend Davey Rimmer will be playing with us so the show will go on.” Hill, through the band, sent his grateful appreciation to the audience for their understanding.
Hill has been in Judas Priest since 1970 and is the only member who has never left the band. That is what makes the absence worth reporting rather than filing: a tendon injury does not resolve on a schedule, and the next announcement is the one to watch for.