Richie Faulkner’s “Ruptured Aorta” during the Judas Priest concert

Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner has posted an update on his condition after emergency heart surgery.

“I have always been grateful for the opportunities presented to me. I’ve always considered myself to be the luckiest man ever – to be able to play my favorite music – with my favorite band – to my favorite people around the world, ”the rocker said in a message to fans shared with UCR. “Today, just being able to type this for all of you is everyone’s greatest gift.”

Faulkner then detailed the frightening situation that led him to the hospital.

“Looking at footage from the Louder Than Life Festival in Kentucky, I can see on my face the confusion and angst I felt while playing ‘Painkiller’ as my aorta ruptured and started to spill blood. in my chest cavity, ”Faulkner revealed. “I had what my doctor called an aortic aneurysm and a complete aortic dissection.”

“From what my surgeon told me, people with the disease usually do not make it to the hospital alive,” he continued. “I was taken to the nearby Rudd Heart & Lung Center and quickly underwent what turned out to be a 10½ hour emergency open heart operation.”

The intense procedure required the replacement of parts of the guitarist’s chest with “mechanical components”. “I’m literally made of metal now,” Faulkner remarked sly.

Although he’s now recovering, the rocker can’t help but wonder what would have happened if things had turned out differently.

“If it was a full set, would I have played until it collapsed?” He reflected. “If this had not happened in such a high adrenaline situation, could my body have gone on long enough to reach the hospital? The incredible Heart & Lung Center was 4 miles from the concert site – s ‘he had gone further … “

Faulkner – who said he had no history of heart disease prior to this incident – closed his post by thanking his friends, family, Judas Priest and their fans for their support during this difficult time.

“Thank you all very much,” said the rocker. “Although I have a recovery path ahead of me, as soon as I can get back on my way, you’ll be the first to know and we’ll get back there delivering the goods for all of you!”

Judas Priest has postponed his 50th anniversary tour following Faulkner’s sudden heart problem. “As soon as we hear from his doctors on when we can reschedule the dates, of course we will announce them,” the group assured fans.