Judas Priest’s Richie Faulkner Admits He Occasionally “Struggles” To Play Guitar Due To Brain Damage

In a new video interview with Premier Guitar, Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner opened up about the challenging health setbacks he continues to face while performing with the legendary heavy metal band. Faulkner revealed that a month after undergoing emergency heart surgery in 2021 following an aorta rupture he suffered on stage, he experienced a severe stroke  that caused brain damage that has impacted his guitar playing ability. Despite the difficulties, Faulkner has returned to the band and continues touring with Judas Priest, even though he still struggles during some live performances. “There’s stuff that I used to play — I used to think something and it would come out,” said Faulkner. “And now I’m up there struggling to play a rhythm pattern. So that’s what I struggle with. That’s the collateral damage.” Judas Priest has a series of festival and headlining dates scheduled in Europe and the UK from mid April through late July. (Consequence of Sound)