JUDAS PRIEST's RICHIE FAULKNER: 'Thanks To Everyone That Came And Rocked Out With Us On The 'Firepower' Tour'

JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner has thanked the group’s fans for coming out and seeing him and his bandmates perform on the “Firepower” tour. The trek kicked off in March 2018 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and concluded Saturday night (June 29) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Late last night, Faulkner tweeted: “Thanks to everyone that came and rocked out with us on the #FirePower tour 2018/2019. It’s been emotional and amazing to see you all and share in the celebration of heavy metal all around the world. It’s been a pleasure and an honour to serve. See ya on the next one RHRF DOTF”

Richie also included several statistics for the tour, which marked JUDAS PRIEST‘s first run of dates since Glenn Tipton announced that he was retiring from the road due to his battle with Parkinson’s disease. The guitarist was replaced by “Firepower” album producer Andy Sneap, also known for his work as the guitar player in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

According to Faulkner, the “Firepower” tour:

* Lasted 515 days
* Included 145 shows
* Played to over 1.26 million people in 38 countries
* Traveled 129,523 miles (over five times around the world)
* Resulted in the consumption of over 28,000 bottles of water and 12,000 bottles of beer

JUDAS PRIEST does not have any shows on its schedule until January 31, 2020 when it is supposed to embark on the previously postponed European tour as the support act for OZZY OSBOURNE.

Bassist Ian Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Singer Rob Halford joined the group in 1973 and Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003.

“Firepower” was released in March 2018 via Epic.

Thanks to everyone that came and rocked out with us on the #FirePower tour 2018/2019. It’s been emotional and amazing to see you all and share in the celebration of heavy metal all around the world. It’s been a pleasure and an honour to serve. See ya on the next one RHRF DOTF pic.twitter.com/Rb76nN3e7W

— Richie Faulkner (@RichieFaulkner) June 30, 2019

Fonte: Blabbermouth.net