Judas Priest's Richie Faulkner still touring thanks to UofL Health – Heart Hospital team

It's been two years since Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner suffered a life-threating aortic aneurysm on stage during Louder Than Life. Just five months later, Richie was back out on the road thanks to the UofL Health – Heart Hospital team.

The cardiothoracic surgery team, led by Dr. Siddharth Pahwa, also included Drs. Brian Ganzel and Mark Slaughter. It took approximately 10.5 hours to complete the surgery, an aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement with hemiarch replacement, that saved Richie's life.

[edwardgirard]

Thank you doctor, for helping Richie. You are a true hero. Richie, you're here for a reason, my friend. God bless!

[poncho]

Probably at opposite ends of the cultural spectrum but have mad respect for each other. This, my friends, is how it should be for all of us. Thank you UofL for coming through for Richie's emergency and thank you Richie for sharing.

[stevebrown]

Wonderful that you lived and are doing well. I had my first dissection in 1999. I've had my chest opened 4 times in 25 years. Today nothing hurts and I sing lead in a rock band at 76years old.

[palmergriffiths]

Thank you to these Wonderful Doctors for saving Richie's life & Bringing him back to the Stage to All Us Priest fans ! 🤘🙏

[kreuzzer]

He was sooo lucky!!!
Normally this is absolutely deadly!!!
And he is recovering well!!!
This is so wonderful!
Love his playing! All tje best die young.
And I am so happy to see him recovering and laughing.❤️
Just amazing!
Greetings from Germany,
All the best,
Kreuzzer!

[ferolcat]

First Id heard of this and I am so pleased he didnt die and has recovered. He's an amazing musician and a nice guy but for him and his family I'm very pleased he made it.

[northpole]

Take care of yourself . I just saw you in Kalamazoo . Thanks ! Rock on 🤘😁🎸

[jamesmiller]

So many things had to happen the exact right way for Ritchie to be alive. He had this happen during the last song of a shortened setlist because they were opening for Metallica. Second, if he was at any other venue in the world, it probably takes 20 to 30 mins to get to the nearest hospital. Third, they are playing in Louisville, which has some of the finest heart hospitals and heart surgeons in the World. Fourth, he was literally 5 minutes from one of those hospitals. If he's anywhere else, he's dead. Normally you can literally be in the ER waiting room of a Trauma Level I hospital and this will still kill you. This was a true metal miracle. There's no other way to say it.

[ddguitars]

Mr faulkener is a phenomenal guitarist. Had he been around in the 80s (my era) he would have gone stratospheric. He would be revered with rhoads, lynch, jake e lee, evh, vai etc

[jamesredden]

I had a type B aortic dissection earlier this year. My aorta tore from my heart to my iliac arteries. Luck to be alive. I now have a stent the size of a water hose. I know how painful a dissection is, so I'm amazed that Rickie kept playing.

[fig]

43 look great, no fat, frightening . glade your ok now Richie