Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner is in a stable condition after undergoing emergency heart surgery. The 41-year-old Faulkner was admitted to hospital on September 27 with “major medical heart condition issues.” A statement from the band read: “It is with deep regret that we have to postpone the rest of our US tour. Richie Faulkner has major medical heart condition issues which have landed him in the hospital where he is being treated. In the meantime, we are all sending love to our falcon to wish him a speedy recovery. As soon as we have any updates from his doctors on when we can reschedule the dates, we will of course announce them – tickets will be valid.”

In a social media post, Faulkner’s partner Mariah Lynch revealed that the guitarist underwent major emergency heart surgery, saying:  “Thank you to everyone for all your messages. I will try to get back to you as soon as I can. Richie underwent major emergency heart surgery. He is stable & resting. If you know him, you know how tough & strong he is. So tough that he finished the show & kept the hair flips coming. There’s no one like him. We’d be lost without him.”

The band’s US tour kicked off with a show at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA, on September 8, and their most recent performance was at the Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville, KY, at the weekend. The band’s next show was due to take place at the Mission Ballroom in Denver on September 29.

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