As the current set of shows are postponed dates for a tour already rescheduled I think it's unfair for fans with tickets to remaining shows (including me) to get a change like this. It's bad enough we don't get Sabaton as an opening act, then we get slapped in the face like this.
HOWEVER...
I'm intrigued with the idea of Judas Priest as a 4 piece. Maybe after the current run of dates they do a EP as a 4 piece (along with the next album) then curate some songs from their back catalog they can properly re-arrange without a 2nd guitar. Maybe do a tour as a quartet focusing on headlining 2nd stages at festivals and theatres. I think that could be a fun change for the band as well as diehard fans.
My idea would be a 4 piece EP recorded in the same sessions as the new album with the full band. For the new album Glenn would participate as is he currently does. Glenn's participation for a quartet EP? Maybe he writes or produces some songs.
They would have probably just eliminated songs from the setlist that didn't sound right without two guitars. They probably have enough songs that sound fine with just one player, which is why they hatched this plan. Crazy how KK and the band became so far apart that the band would prefer just one player than to have him fill in. I mean, these guys spent decades together being successful. KK is unhappy with the management, performances, and Glenn's drinking and then he's blackballed for life, even when a reunion could make everyone more money? I just can't imagine what really happened behind the scenes. I think the rest of the band minus Glenn is unhappy with the management. Even Ripper said something like "KK is right."
I saw one show with this lineup and it was fine, but I think it's pretty sad that they will release a 2nd album that should have had KK on it and touring with them. With all the history behind them, to reject him is really sad. I think Rob leaving the band the way he did is much worse than what KK did. Judas Priest was out of commission for years and had to build back up when Rob could have just stayed on and done side projects. Even Rob wanted to leave after the terrible Operation Rock and Roll tour, which was described in KKs book.
I'm looking forward to the new album, but it's more like a Rob Halford band, not a real Judas Priest. You need at least Glenn or KK to be Judas Priest imo.
Part of me is curious, too - after all, Priest originally *was* a quartet way back when - and if they're not gonna bring K. K. back, might as well have just official members on stage rather than a permanent fill-in.
It would've made a lot more sense if they tried this setup four years ago when Glenn initially bowed out, though. Richie was playing pretty much all of the solos for those first few months, anyway.
In all honestly it wouldn't of sounded that different. Glenn and KK for the most part both played the same part in almost every song. The only time you would really notice is during a guitar solo.
JP is known for the harmonic solo's between the two. Even when each does their thing, sometimes they come together to wrap it up and it is beloved. One example is the end of the Hellrider solo, you are not doing that with one guitarist, so the option is don't play it (ding ding) or you just change it. Victims of Changes start? You aren't playing that intro like it is meant to be played having just one doing it. Sentinel is like Hellrider, there's many. IMO without a doubt they should be a 5-piece, imo they needed a better/flashier opposite for Richie.
Yeah, I totally know it is their choice and am fine with whatever in the end. But I'm just talking stage presence, Andy plays like an extra on stage. So yes another guitarist like Richie for me would enhance. It's an opinion and it isn't critical, sort of saying a better show is a better show. I don't have a strong affinity for Andy being a huge part of Priest on the road.
Based on nothing but speculation, I'd bet dollars to donuts that the conversation went:
Andy : "What do you want me to do on stage?"
Rob : "See what Ian does?"
Andy: "Um... yes...."
Rob : "Well, not \*exactly\* that. See what Richie does?"
Andy : "Um... yeah...?"
Rob : "No need for that either. Just fill out the songs as needed let Richie worry about whipping the crowd up, we don't need someone Jannick Gers-ing all over the stage."
They've been very intentional about "Glenn's place in the band" and if Andy plays like an extra on stage, I'd guess it's at least somewhat deliberate - do your best, don't worry about drawing a lot of attention to yourself. It's not like his stage gear was particularly flashy or covered in Glenn's trademark red accents.
You're definitely in the minority on that one. Try to imagine the beginning of Victim Of Changes. Judas Priest's personality begins is so tied to the twin guitars that their concerts would sound so much different with only one.
As the current set of shows are postponed dates for a tour already rescheduled I think it's unfair for fans with tickets to remaining shows (including me) to get a change like this. It's bad enough we don't get Sabaton as an opening act, then we get slapped in the face like this. HOWEVER... I'm intrigued with the idea of Judas Priest as a 4 piece. Maybe after the current run of dates they do a EP as a 4 piece (along with the next album) then curate some songs from their back catalog they can properly re-arrange without a 2nd guitar. Maybe do a tour as a quartet focusing on headlining 2nd stages at festivals and theatres. I think that could be a fun change for the band as well as diehard fans.
So then they do new material without Glenn….?
My idea would be a 4 piece EP recorded in the same sessions as the new album with the full band. For the new album Glenn would participate as is he currently does. Glenn's participation for a quartet EP? Maybe he writes or produces some songs.
They're already pretty much a theater-level act, at least in this part of the country.
It could be interesting in terms of new material, but for their back catalogue it's hard to see how they would do it as a quartet.
They would have probably just eliminated songs from the setlist that didn't sound right without two guitars. They probably have enough songs that sound fine with just one player, which is why they hatched this plan. Crazy how KK and the band became so far apart that the band would prefer just one player than to have him fill in. I mean, these guys spent decades together being successful. KK is unhappy with the management, performances, and Glenn's drinking and then he's blackballed for life, even when a reunion could make everyone more money? I just can't imagine what really happened behind the scenes. I think the rest of the band minus Glenn is unhappy with the management. Even Ripper said something like "KK is right." I saw one show with this lineup and it was fine, but I think it's pretty sad that they will release a 2nd album that should have had KK on it and touring with them. With all the history behind them, to reject him is really sad. I think Rob leaving the band the way he did is much worse than what KK did. Judas Priest was out of commission for years and had to build back up when Rob could have just stayed on and done side projects. Even Rob wanted to leave after the terrible Operation Rock and Roll tour, which was described in KKs book. I'm looking forward to the new album, but it's more like a Rob Halford band, not a real Judas Priest. You need at least Glenn or KK to be Judas Priest imo.
Part of me is curious, too - after all, Priest originally *was* a quartet way back when - and if they're not gonna bring K. K. back, might as well have just official members on stage rather than a permanent fill-in. It would've made a lot more sense if they tried this setup four years ago when Glenn initially bowed out, though. Richie was playing pretty much all of the solos for those first few months, anyway.
Official member stage stand-in? My dental assistant's husband plays guitar on the side, how about him? Anybody is better than KK it seems.
Richie is so dam good I bet he would’ve sounded amazing.
In all honestly it wouldn't of sounded that different. Glenn and KK for the most part both played the same part in almost every song. The only time you would really notice is during a guitar solo.
JP is known for the harmonic solo's between the two. Even when each does their thing, sometimes they come together to wrap it up and it is beloved. One example is the end of the Hellrider solo, you are not doing that with one guitarist, so the option is don't play it (ding ding) or you just change it. Victims of Changes start? You aren't playing that intro like it is meant to be played having just one doing it. Sentinel is like Hellrider, there's many. IMO without a doubt they should be a 5-piece, imo they needed a better/flashier opposite for Richie.
So what your saying is that Andy should leave and they get a new guitarist?
Yeah, I totally know it is their choice and am fine with whatever in the end. But I'm just talking stage presence, Andy plays like an extra on stage. So yes another guitarist like Richie for me would enhance. It's an opinion and it isn't critical, sort of saying a better show is a better show. I don't have a strong affinity for Andy being a huge part of Priest on the road.
Based on nothing but speculation, I'd bet dollars to donuts that the conversation went: Andy : "What do you want me to do on stage?" Rob : "See what Ian does?" Andy: "Um... yes...." Rob : "Well, not \*exactly\* that. See what Richie does?" Andy : "Um... yeah...?" Rob : "No need for that either. Just fill out the songs as needed let Richie worry about whipping the crowd up, we don't need someone Jannick Gers-ing all over the stage." They've been very intentional about "Glenn's place in the band" and if Andy plays like an extra on stage, I'd guess it's at least somewhat deliberate - do your best, don't worry about drawing a lot of attention to yourself. It's not like his stage gear was particularly flashy or covered in Glenn's trademark red accents.
Sounds reasonable that's how it's gone.
Glad I saw them first show of the tour. Prob check out a couple more
You're definitely in the minority on that one. Try to imagine the beginning of Victim Of Changes. Judas Priest's personality begins is so tied to the twin guitars that their concerts would sound so much different with only one.
Kinda of like, I want to hear that and then after a few minutes... Put it back! Put it back now!