Judas Priest Guitarist Richie Faulkner Hospitalized For 'Major' Heart Issue

Judas Priest has halted and postponed its U.S. tour after guitarist Richie Faulkner was hospitalized with a "major medical heart condition."

"It is with deep regret that we have to postpone the rest of our US Tour – Richie has major medical heart condition issues which have landed him in hospital where he is being treated – in the meantime we are all sending love to our Falcon to wish him a speedy recovery...," reads a statement from the band.

The iconic English heavy metal band launched its U.S. tour in August, celebrating its 50th anniversary (the tour scheduled in 2020 was postponed). The band recently appeared at the Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville, Kentucky. Its next scheduled date was Wednesday in Denver, Colorado.

"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," the statement added. 

Faulkner, 41, is the youngest member of Judas Priest by far, having joined the band in 2011 after the departure of co-founding guitarist K.K. Downing. He's recorded two studio albums with Judas Priest, including its critically lauded 2018 LP, Firepower.