Richie Faulkner recently discussed Glenn Tipton’s ongoing battle with Parkinson’s and his crucial role in Judas Priest with Ultimate Guitar.
Since announcing his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2018, Tipton has stepped back from touring full-time with Judas Priest, with Andy Sneap stepping in for live performances. Despite this, Tipton’s creative influence within the band remains undiminished, particularly highlighted in their latest album, ‘Invincible Shield.’
Creative Process Amid Challenges
Faulkner reflected on the dynamic of working with Glenn, noting the variability of his condition. He stated:
“As always, he has good days and bad days. I think that’s the nature of the challenge he’s going through. And there was no difference in the studio really, there’s good days and bad days. It was important for all of us that Glenn was involved in a creative sense, as well. The stuff that Glenn comes up with makes it ‘Priest,’ those little twists and turns.”
The musician also explained that he and Tipton have different creative ideas, which helps the band come up with unique music. If Tipton felt unwell or couldn’t play his part, he would share his ideas with Faulkner, who would then play it for him. This teamwork helped them during both the writing and recording processes.
Ian Hill Reflects On Tipton’s Role
Bassist Ian Hill also spoke about Tipton’s condition, praising his resilience and continued involvement in the creative process in a new chat with AllMusic. He shared:
“He’s doing about as well as anybody can – given the situation. He’s got a horrible disease there. It’s preventing him from coming on tour. He just hasn’t got the strength to do it. Although, he can do [guest appearances] – just last fall we did that thing in California, Power Trip, and he did the encores. But his brain is still working – he still comes up with these ideas and suggestions. So, he’s still got a huge part to play – although he’s unfortunately not on the road anymore.”
Tipton played a key role in Judas Priest’s newest album, ‘Invincible Shield,’ which is their nineteenth studio album. It came out in Japan on March 6, 2024, and was available worldwide two days later. Tipton wrote the songs ‘Sons of Thunder’ and ‘Escape from Reality’ and also played some guitar parts.
