Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner has shared the physical and emotional toll of his recovery since experiencing an aortic aneurysm and complete aortic dissection during his performance at the 2021 Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky. The British-born musician, now 45, underwent a 10-hour surgery to replace his aortic valve and ascending aorta, which ultimately allowed him to return to the road.

In a revealing interview with PremierGuitar, Faulkner discussed the ongoing health issues he’s faced in the three and a half years since his surgery. He described his physical challenges and the strain of continuing to perform on stage.

Richie Faulkner’s Post-Surgery Struggles

Faulkner recalled a frightening moment just a month after the surgery when he felt a sudden physical change while walking the dog in his neighborhood. “I felt it coming, and I knew it was coming,” Faulkner said. “My face went. I couldn’t talk. Mariah was there, and she held me up.” His girlfriend, Mariah, and their daughter, Daisy, were there to assist as Faulkner struggled with what doctors later identified as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), commonly known as a mini-stroke.

However, it later turned out that Faulkner had suffered an actual stroke, with Mariah suspecting he may have experienced one during the ambulance ride. “The doctors said that TIAs are temporary, but strokes leave permanent damage,” he explained. “They found damage on the left side of my brain that affects my right side.”

Battling the Effects of Stroke on Stage

Despite these challenges, Faulkner returned to performing on stage with Judas Priest. He noticed subtle but troubling changes, such as difficulty with his right hand and foot. “I could get through it, but something wasn’t right,” Faulkner shared. Further tests revealed that the damage was indeed the result of a stroke, not a TIA. He explained how this affected his performance: “It’s the rhythm—the coordinated rhythm patterns. It’s gotta be locked in, and I didn’t feel like it was.”

He continued to perform despite these issues, although his confidence began to falter. “I went out every night, but I felt like a fraud. I didn’t feel like I was playing at the world-class level that Judas Priest is known for,” Faulkner admitted.

The Struggles of a Musician with Health Challenges

Faulkner explained that for a long time, he felt uncomfortable sharing his struggles publicly, fearing it would lead to loss of trust from fans and industry partners. “I didn’t want anyone to know because I thought they’d lose faith in me,” he said. “The guitar companies, the fans, they put their trust in you, and I didn’t want to let them down.”

Despite his struggles, Faulkner wanted to share his story to help others facing similar challenges. “I know a lot of people out there feel like they’re not good enough or they struggle in silence. I want them to know they’re not alone,” he said. “There are more of us dealing with this than we probably realize.”

Overcoming the Struggles and Moving Forward

Faulkner acknowledged that his health issues have affected his mental state. “Sometimes I come off stage and think, ‘I can’t do this anymore,'” he said. “There are times when I struggle to play something that used to come naturally, and it gets frustrating.” However, he added that performing still brings him joy, and he continues to push forward despite the challenges. “It doesn’t affect the fact that we’re still writing records and playing as hard as we can,” Faulkner said. “But I need to be open about it now.”

He also shared an experience from a 2023 performance with his side project, Elegant Weapons, where they performed the classic Judas Priest track “Painkiller” in Paris. “I was awful,” he admitted, referencing the performance that can be found on YouTube. “But I’ve got it out there now. I don’t have to hide it anymore. It’s the truth.”

A Message of Hope for Others Struggling

Faulkner hopes that by sharing his struggles, he can offer support to others who may be going through their own challenges. “I want people to know it’s okay to struggle, and it’s okay not to be perfect,” he concluded. “If it helps someone else feel less alone, then it’s worth it.”