Judah Ptifta Richie Folkner: The Guitarist’s Inspiring Journey of Recovery After a Stroke

Richie Faulkner’s Health Struggles

The guitarist of Judas Priest, Richie Faulkner, revealed that he has been “fighting” to play after suffering a stroke, which resulted in damage to his brain.

• READ MORE: The legend of the priest, Jusa Rob Halford: “The way out happened correctly – it was not deliberately”

Emergency Health Incidents

In 2021, Faulkner’s aorta exploded on stage during the Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky, leading to a life-saving 10-hour emergency operation. However, it was not widely known that just a month later, he suffered a stroke that continues to impact his physical abilities.

Faulkner shared his health journey with Premier Guitar, discussing the nature of his stroke and its ongoing effects on his guitar playing.

“We returned to the road in 2022 and have been touring since,” he explained. “But there is a bit of residual damage. Not many people know this—only a few close friends and family. A month after the incident, I was walking my dog in the neighborhood here (in Nashville), and I felt something happen.”

He described the frightening experience: “My face went numb, and I couldn’t speak.” His family rushed him to the hospital, where doctors suspected he had suffered a temporary ischemic attack (TIA), often referred to as a mini-stroke. However, Faulkner later discovered that he had experienced a more significant stroke, resulting in lasting brain damage.

He also noted that one morning while brushing his teeth, he realized “something was wrong with my right hand and right foot.” After undergoing additional tests, he was informed, “You have damage in your brain.” Initially, he thought he had suffered from mental strain, but the diagnosis confirmed real physical damage on the left side of his brain.

Reflecting on the impact of his condition on his playing, he stated: “There are things I used to play effortlessly, but now I’m struggling to keep up with the rhythm. I can’t do it. I’ve hit a wall.”

After his emergency heart surgery and stroke, Faulkner underwent a second open-heart surgery in 2022, expressing that he “feels strong” following a six-week recovery.

This year, Judas Priest is currently on tour in Europe, promoting their upcoming 2024 album, “Invincible Shield.” The tour includes a significant performance at the London O2 Arena alongside Alice Cooper. For the full tour dates and remaining tickets, visit here.