Heavy metal pioneers Deep Purple and Judas Priest have just announced plans for a co-headlining tour this summer. Produced by Live Nation the outing will launch on August 21 in Cincinnati, OH and will hit 25 cities across the US and Canada.
Deep Purple will be be touring in support of their most recent album inFinite, which was released in April 2017 but have promised to cover decades of fan favorites for this run.
Judas Priest will also be touring in support of their latest album. Firepower was released on March 9, 2018 and has become one of the most successful of the band’s career – rocketing to the Top-5 in 17 countries, including their highest chart placement ever in the US and the album’s single “Lightening Strike” is their highest charting commercial rock radio single in decades.
Guitarist Glenn Tipton willl not, however, be joining his Judas Priest bandmates on tour. Tipton announced in February that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and on March 14th posted this message on the band’s website.
“By now many of you will know I won’t be doing the forthcoming Judas Priest tour because of health issues—I’m so sorry but four years ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and was told by my specialist that I had already had it for over ten years – I knew something was wrong with my co-ordination and fluency regarding my playing but I worked around it and battled on – I have good days and bad days but the disease is degenerative and I would never want to compromise the greatest metal band in the world—it was therefore during the last rehearsals I decided to step down and have Andy Sneap fill in—he’s a great guy and I’m sure he’ll do a great job – I’m sure the band will be as strong than ever
“I have been overwhelmed by the massive support and love I’ve had from other artists and from fans all over the world and from many friends and metal maniacs out there – it’s not the end for me – I’ll still be able to write and record and on good days even join the band on stage for a few songs – with new medication and advances being made who knows what the future holds – but one thing’s for sure – it will certainly involve Priest!
“Finally the biggest thanks goes to Rob, Richie, Ian and Scott who have stood by me and supported me through everything – GLENN”
2018 is the year for co-headlining tours. Other acts heading out on the road together are: John Fogerty and ZZ Top; Styx and Joan Jett; Hall & Oates and Train; Chicago and REO Speedwagon; Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan as well as Jeff Beck and Paul Rodgers with Ann Wilson of Heart.
DEEP PURPLE AND JUDAS PRIEST TOUR DATES:
Aug 21 — Cincinnati, OH — Riverbend Music Center
Aug 22 — Chicago, IL — Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug 24 — Detroit, MI — Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
Aug 25 — Mt. Pleasant, MI — Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort*
Aug 27 — Hamilton, ON — FirstOntario Centre
Aug 29 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre
Aug 30 — Quebec City, QC — Centre Videotron
Sep 1 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Sep 2 — Bethel Woods, NY — Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Sep 5 — Darien Center, NY — Darien Lake Amphitheater
Sep 6 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center
Sep 8 — Virginia Beach, VA — Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
Sep 9 — Camden, NJ — BB&T Pavilion
Sep 11 — Charlotte, NC — PNC Music Pavilion
Sep 12 — Jacksonville, FL — Daily’s Place
Sep 14 — Atlanta, GA — Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
Sep 16 — Biloxi, MS — Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Sep 18 — Kansas City, MO — Starlight Theatre
Sep 20 — Welch, MN — Treasure Island Casino*
Sep 21 — Council Bluffs, IA — Harrah’s Council Bluffs*
Sep 23 — Denver, CO — Pepsi Center
Sep 26 — San Diego, CA — Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
Sep 27 — Irvine, CA — FivePoint Amphitheatre
Sep 29 — Mountain View, CA — Shoreline Amphitheatre
Sep 30 — Wheatland, CA — Toyota Amphitheatre
*Non Live Nation date
