Iconic ’70s Band’s Guitarist Addresses Life-Changing Health Battle

Fans of Judas Priest are getting a rare and honest update from guitarist Richie Faulkner, who is opening up about the serious health crisis that changed his life and how he continues to push forward.

In a new interview with The Rock ‘n’ Blues Experience, Faulkner shared how his recovery journey has been shaped not just by surgeries and therapy, but by the support of his family. 

The 46-year-old musician survived a near-fatal aortic aneurysm and complete aortic dissection during a live performance in 2021, followed by a stroke that caused permanent brain damage. Despite these challenges, he continues to perform and record music.

“I think it’s incredibly helpful. If your base is secure, you can build on that,” Faulkner said, speaking about the role of family in his recovery. “At the end of the day, that’s your base and you can kind of retreat to that and everything’s fine.”

The medical emergency happened onstage at the Louder Than Life festival in Kentucky. After the show, Faulkner underwent a 10-hour emergency surgery to replace parts of his aorta and heart valve. The procedure saved his life, but it marked the beginning of a long and difficult recovery.

Months later, he discovered he had suffered a stroke, initially thought to be a less severe condition, that left lasting damage to his brain. This has affected movement on the right side of his body, including his guitar-playing hand.

He admitted that he first noticed something was wrong during everyday tasks. Over time, it became clear the issue was more serious than expected. Still, Faulkner has worked through physical therapy and continues to perform at a high level.

His band, Judas Priest, was forced to postpone tour dates following the incident but later returned to the road. The group, known for decades of heavy metal success, has continued recording new material and planning tours.

Faulkner spoke warmly about his young daughter, Daisy Mae, whom he shares with Mariah Lynch.

“But [my daughter] doesn’t know half of what went on [with my health]. We’ll tell her one day. She knows surface-level stuff. But she’s happy. She’s smart, she’s learning lots of new things,” he said. “Her life isn’t affected by it as much as it could have been. So we are grateful for that.”

He also shared that Daisy is already showing a love for music and performing.

“She’s a drummer, she’s a singer. She loves it all,” Faulkner said. “She just started doing acting classes, so, yeah, we’ve got our hands full… coming home to that after a tour is a big relief.”

The guitarist explained that having a stable home life has helped him stay grounded during difficult moments. It has also given him a sense of purpose beyond the stage.

New Music and Moving Forward

Even after facing life-threatening health issues, Faulkner remains active in music. He continues to perform with Judas Priest and is also focused on his side project, Elegant Weapons.

The band is set to release its second album, Evolution, on April 24, 2026. The project features a global lineup of musicians and reflects Faulkner’s commitment to songwriting and collaboration.

Speaking about performing live, Faulkner emphasized its importance: “If you speak to 90, 95% of musicians, they say live is what it’s about… creating that connection with the songs and the people.”

He added that songwriting remains at the heart of his work. “The vocal, the melody and the message behind the song I always try to keep in mind. That’s the priority… not just a guitar solo.”

Despite lingering physical challenges, Faulkner continues to tour, record, and create new music. His determination shows how deeply he values both his craft and his connection with fans.

Related: Iconic ’70s Rock Band Returns to Stage After Unexpected Hospitalization