Judas Priest guitarist had open-heart surgery in Louisville
Famed heavy metal band Judas Priest rocked on stage at Louder Than Life last month in Louisville.But while all may have looked well from the crowd, lead guitarist Richie Faulkner was actually suffering from a serious medical issue as he (ironically) shredded through the song “Painkiller.”According to a post written by Faulkner, his aorta ruptured during that song and spilled blood into his chest cavity.”From what I’ve been told by my surgeon, people with this don’t usually make it to the hospital alive,” he wrote.Both he and University of Louisville Health confirm he was rushed to the Rudd Heart and Lung Center, just a few miles from the venue. That’s where Faulkner went into 10.5 hours of open-heart surgery.”Five parts of my chest were replaced with mechanical component. I’m literally made of metal now,” Faulkner said.UofL Health said the procedure was done by Dr. Siddharth Pahwa.It’s unclear when Faulkner will be able to play again, but he said, “I have a recovery road ahead of me, as soon as I’m able to get up and running again, you’ll be the first to know and we’ll get back out there delivering the goods for you all.”Read his full statement here.Judas Priest had already postponed the remainder of the performances for its current tour.
Famed heavy metal band Judas Priest rocked on stage at Louder Than Life last month in Louisville.
But while all may have looked well from the crowd, lead guitarist Richie Faulkner was actually suffering from a serious medical issue as he (ironically) shredded through the song “Painkiller.”
According to a post written by Faulkner, his aorta ruptured during that song and spilled blood into his chest cavity.
“From what I’ve been told by my surgeon, people with this don’t usually make it to the hospital alive,” he wrote.
Both he and University of Louisville Health confirm he was rushed to the Rudd Heart and Lung Center, just a few miles from the venue. That’s where Faulkner went into 10.5 hours of open-heart surgery.
“Five parts of my chest were replaced with mechanical component. I’m literally made of metal now,” Faulkner said.
UofL Health said the procedure was done by Dr. Siddharth Pahwa.
It’s unclear when Faulkner will be able to play again, but he said, “I have a recovery road ahead of me, as soon as I’m able to get up and running again, you’ll be the first to know and we’ll get back out there delivering the goods for you all.”
Judas Priest had already postponed the remainder of the performances for its current tour.
Read More: Judas Priest guitarist had open-heart surgery in Louisville