Through a heartfelt statement, the British artist explained the reasons that forced him to leave music. “I have neglected my family life for fifty-seven years,” he reflected.
A sad day for heavy metal fans. Ian Hill, historic bassist of the British band Judas Priest, announced his definitive retirement from music, due to health problems.
Through a heartfelt statement, the 74-year-old English musician said that, for some years, he has been fighting arthritis, an illness that has degenerated in his state of health and that currently prevents him from keeping up with his colleagues during demanding tours.
“For a long time, when people asked me ‘how much longer can you continue?’, I have always answered: ‘Until my performance is affected.’ I hate to say it, but that time has come,” he said.
“For a few years now, I have been struggling with the onset of bloody arthritis, which is now in an advanced state in my left shoulder and my right hand, established in my right shoulder and present in both knees,” he added.
Although he acknowledged that the disease is treatable, Ian Hill clarified that there is no guarantee that he can fully recover to complete an entire Judas Priest concert.
“In light of all this, and the fact that I have neglected my family life for 57 years, I have decided to retire and spend my remaining years making up for it, doing things with them before it means someone has to take me in a wheelchair,” he said.
“Not a single day goes by that I don’t give thanks for the incredible journey I have lived, and I can only say that I love you all, and thank you for the life you have allowed me to live,” he said.
