DAVEY RIMMER Will Continue Playing With URIAH HEEP, Even After Joining JUDAS PRIEST

Dave "Davey" Rimmer will continue to play bass for URIAH HEEP, even after being confirmed as the replacement for Ian Hill in JUDAS PRIEST.

Earlier today (Friday, October 7),URIAH HEEP released the following statement via social media: "Following today's announcement that Davey Rimmer will be joining JUDAS PRIEST from the start of their 2027 touring, we would all like to wish Davey our very best in this very coveted position in one of the giants of heavy metal and hard rock.

"Davey will continue to play with URIAH HEEP in 2026 and on all shows in 2027 where schedules permit. For the shows that don't, we will be announcing a replacement in due course."

Rimmer previously stepped in for Hill during JUDAS PRIEST's September 21 concert at the Eventim Apollo in London, United Kingdom after Ian sustained what was described at the time as "a badly damaged tendon in his left arm."

Hill announced his retirement from JUDAS PRIEST on Friday morning, effective immediately.

The 74-year-old musician said that his ongoing battle with "advanced" arthritis is the cause of his exit from the band. He added that even though he was able to play his basslines on the songs for PRIEST's upcoming album, "there were questions whether I'd be able to complete the recent European tour without incident."

Hill explained that he "decided to retire and spend the remaining years doing things with [my family] before it involves one of 'em pushing me around in a wheelchair."

Hill has called Rimmer "the obvious choice for my replacement", describing him as "a great bassist, and a genuinely nice bloke who'll fit the job perfectly, and I wish him the very best of luck!"

Born in Liverpool, Davey Rimmer began playing bass at the age of 11, immersing himself in the music of bands such as QUEEN, URIAH HEEP, LED ZEPPELIN and DEEP PURPLE. He developed his skills by playing along with vinyl records. Rimmer relocated to London in the 1990s, where he became active in the local rock scene. During this period, he toured and recorded two albums with ZODIAC MINDWARP & THE LOVE REACTION, "Rock Savage" (2005, Cosmodelic Records) and "We Are Volsung" (2010, SPV/Steamhammer). His bass influences include British rock bassists such as John Entwhistle, John Deacon, Trevor Bolder, Bob Daisley and Neil Murray.

In the early 2000s, Rimmer was a regular member of METALWORKS, a rock covers band based in Camden Town. This group featured notable musicians such as Richie Faulkner (JUDAS PRIEST) and Les Binks (ex-JUDAS PRIEST),alongside other guest artists. In 2013, Rimmer joined URIAH HEEP, initially filling in for Trevor Bolder during his illness. After Bolder's passing, Rimmer became a permanent member, contributing to the album "Outsider" (2014) and subsequent releases. He has maintained a consistent presence in the band, which is recognized for its extensive touring schedule and commitment to both classic material and new music. In 2022, Rimmer expanded his musical involvement by joining forces with Richie Faulkner, Ronnie Romero and others in ELEGANT WEAPONS.

Rimmer's tenure with URIAH HEEP, which has lasted since 2013, represents one of the band's longest periods without a personnel change. He has contributed to studio albums, including "Outsider" (2014),"Living The Dream" (2018) and "Chaos & Colour" (2023).

Hill was the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Singer Rob Halford joined the group in 1973 and guitarist Glenn Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003. Original guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Faulkner.

Dave Rimmer biography courtesy of MN2S Management Limited