Ian Hill retires from Judas Priest; Davey Rimmer steps in

Ian Hill has announced his retirement from Judas Priest in a statement published on October 9, 2026. The band has welcomed Davey Rimmer, who had already stepped in for Hill during the recent European tour.

Why Hill is stepping away

In his own account, Hill links the decision to worsening arthritis, a shoulder injury and uncertainty about whether he could sustain a complete stage show. He also says he wants more time with his family.

Hill says Rimmer learned the European set as a possible substitute. Judas Priest’s September 21 announcement identified Rimmer, of Uriah Heep, as the player taking Hill’s place at the Hammersmith Apollo Eventim show in London.

What it means for the new album

Hill says he recorded bass parts for songs on the new Judas Priest album. The retirement statement gives no title or release date and does not confirm that recording is complete.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame included Hill among Judas Priest’s 2022 Musical Excellence inductees, with Alice Cooper inducting the band. The institution’s record also names guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing and singer Rob Halford. For readers revisiting Priest’s history, that entry documents Hill’s place in the group’s recognised legacy independently of the new retirement announcement.

For bass players tracing Hill’s equipment, Spector’s current artist roster lists the NS-2 and Euro4LX Ian Hill models beside his name. Those documented associations offer a starting point for a closer look at his setup. Both names are listed as instruments he plays; the roster does not document which particular bass was used on any individual recording session.

Read the band’s official statement

Want to dig deeper into Judas Priest’s guitar side? Read our Glenn Tipton guitars and gear guide.

Image: Ian Hill at Motocultor 2026. Photo: Antoine TILLY, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped, resized and padded; image derivative shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. This is an earlier performance photograph.