Former Judas Priest drummer Dave Holland died January 16 in Spain at the age at 69.
The news was initially reported by Spanish newspaper El Progreso, who stated that the retired rocker had been living in the secluded Lamas de Campos community in the mountainous Fonsagrada area of Lugo in northwest Spain before his passing at University Hospital Lucus Augusti de Lugo; his remains were cremated and no cause of death has been announced.
“It is with regret that we hear of the passing of Dave Holland,” said Judas Priest in a statement. “Despite his actions since working with the band, his time with us was amongst the most productive and successful in the band's career and for that alone he shall be missed."
“It is with deep regret that I have to accept the sudden and unexpected news that Dave Holland has passed away,” added retired Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing. “Dave was a solid friend in life and solid musician both on the stage and in the studio; I will cherish the many gigs we played together and the albums that we made and I will always be grateful to the indelible contribution that Dave gave to Judas Priest.
“My sincere condolences to all of Dave’s loved ones Family and friends and to all of the fans that so much appreciated Dave’s musical ability and his life’s work. R.I.P. Dave.”
Born in Northampton, England in 1948, Holland was one of the founding members of the UK band Trapeze – alongside future Deep Purple bassist/singer Glenn Hughes – and appeared on all six of the group’s studio albums before leaving to join Judas Priest in 1979.
A decade-long run with Priest as their seventh drummer saw Holland featured on six of the metal band’s classic albums, including 1980’s “British Steel”, 1981’s “Point Of Entry”, 1982’s “Screaming For Vengeance”, 1984’s “Defenders Of The Faith” and 1986’s “Turbo”, as well as 1987’s “Priest…Live” set.
In 1989, the drummer was replaced by Scott Travis, who remains a part of the band’s lineup to this day.
In 2004, Holland made headlines when he was convicted of attempted rape and five charges of indecent assault of a 17-year-old with learning disabilities to whom he’d been giving drum lessons. Despite maintaining his innocence, Holland was sentenced to 8 years in a UK prison and was released in 2012 before his move to Spain.
Judas Priest will release their eighteenth studio album, “Firepower”, on March 9.
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