Judas Priest-Painkiller-LIVE-Louder Than Life Festival 2021

Louder Than Life
Louisville, KY
9/26/2021

[streetsociology]

Full aortic dissection is barely surviveable under the best circumstances but hell he just keeps shredding lead guitar for Judas Priest instead of dying. That's pretty god damn fucking metal

[rachidthpabuence]

Cant believe he was pretty much dying in front of so many people AND DIDNT MISS A FUCKING NOTE!!!

[natsariat]

He literally won a Guitar Duel against the death itself!

[MetalMeiah]

Richie shreading a note perfect painkiller solo while suffering a potential catastrophic heart attack is the most metal thing I will ever see in my dam life

[taskmaster]

Riche's Statement:

Maniacs…
I’ve always been grateful for the opportunities I’ve been presented with. I’ve always considered myself THE most fortunate man ever - to be able to play my favourite music - with my favourite band - to my favourite people around the world…
Today just being able to type this to you all is the biggest gift of all…
As I watch footage from the Louder Than Life Festival in Kentucky, I can see in my face the confusion and anguish I was feeling whilst playing ‘Painkiller’ as my aorta ruptured and started to spill blood into my chest cavity….
I was having what my doctor called an aortic aneurysm and complete aortic dissection.
From what I’ve been told by my surgeon, people with this don’t usually make it to the hospital alive…..
I was taken to nearby Rudd Heart & Lung Center and quickly went into what turned out to be a 10 ½ hour emergency open heart surgery.
Five parts of my chest were replaced with mechanical components…..I’m literally made of metal now….
It could have all ended so differently – we only had an hours set that night due to Metallica’s performance after us – and it does cross my mind if it was a full set, would I have played until total collapse…? If it hadn’t happened in such a high adrenaline situation would my body have been able to keep going long enough to reach the hospital…?
The amazing Heart & Lung Center was 4 miles away from the gig site – if it had been further away……..
We can always drive ourselves crazy with these things but I’m still alive thankfully. Whatever the circumstances, when watching that footage, the truth is, knowing what I know now, I see a dying man…..
I’ve been moved to tears and humbled by friends, family, my fantastic band, crew and management and also you guys sending me videos and messages of love and support during the last week – I thank you all so much and although I have a recovery road ahead of me, as soon as I’m able to get up and running again, you’ll be the first to know and we’ll get back out there delivering the goods for you all….!
One last thing maniacs, this came totally out of the blue for me – no history of a bad heart, no clogged arteries etc…my point is I don’t even have high cholesterol and this could’ve been the end for me. If you can get yourselves checked – do it for me please……
Lots of love and see you down the front again soon….
Richie…
This is from our strong falcon - he will be flying high again just as soon as he is able….
JUDAS PRIEST
October 6th, 2021

[BeerCrafted]

Ritchie Faulkner: literally dying

PLAYS EVERY NOTE PERFECTLY!

[MetallicaRules]

I was at this show. At the time, me and everyone else were just enjoying the kickass performance. Rewatching, knowing what we know now, it’s actually a bit scary, can’t imagine what Richie was feeling and going through. Get well soon man.

[delpushetonequa]

Home boy was bleeding to death in his chest but still kept playing metal.
And now he is literally a man made of metal

[bjankowski]

Pretty Ironic that he’s playing Pain Killer while probably being in the most pain he’s ever been in…get better brother!

[bb-gctx]

knowing what we know now this is the most metal moment in metal history

[fritzcolburn]

Richie Faulkner is a beast. We're watching a dead man here that refused to drop.

[bharp]

This just solidifies Richie's spot as one of the best guitarists alive right now. This a whole new level of dedication.

[funeralbillii]

I'm 46, have been playing guitar for 30 years now, and I've had 2 heart attacks since 2011. How the hell Ritchie kept playing and didn't miss a note is beyond me. Ritchie is a monster player and a super-sweet dude, I really hope he pulls through and makes it back to the band if that's his wish.

And now all you non-players know how hard it is to play Painkiller on guitar...not to mention it has a "killer" solo!!

[oldboo-urnsy]

Dude hammered out a stellar performance while having a heart attack, get some rest Richie mate, you deserve it.

[LoganFK]

It is beyond insane that he was not only able to perfectly finish the solo, but stay in character the rest of the song. Richie pointed at me three times in Virginia Beach. I’m so happy he is still here with us and recovering. So glad the world did not lose one of its best guitarists.

[HCkev]

Me: "Damn this solo is fucking unplayable! I'll never be able to be play it! "

Richie: * plays the solo perfectly as if it was nothing while having an heart attack *

[stanfordmom]

I was there and couldn't tell he was in trouble. But watching this you see in his face. The fact he is going on adrenaline and crowd energy is incredible. An Aortic aneurysm can almost instantly kill you. The Drs here in Louisville are incredible. To spend 10 hrs saving his life where most would have gave up.

[Severeign-sfuq]

Can't help but admiring Ritchie, knowing he was close to dying at that moment and didn't fail a bit playing the song. It's unbelievable.

[satishdass]

Im having a hard time watching this knowing this man is dedicated to his work in the face of a life ending event. So much mad respect for Richie. He doesn't miss a beat but I hope the next time anyone feels this just drop whatever you're doing and leave.

[jra]

My guy playing Painkiller note perfect while having a full aortic dissection... what a madman. The dude should not be alive right now. Most people dont make it throught a spontaneously rupturing aorta. Well wishes to him!