TIME TO MAKE ANDY A FULL MEMBER? Andy Sneap has been performing with Judas Priest since 2018. At first, he mainly played the Rhythm Guitar Role on the 2018 tour, but starting in 2019 has been playing more complicated parts. On the 2022 tour, he has shown that he not only fills the role, but can play very difficult parts. Is it time for Judas Priest to make Andy a full member or do you think they will keep him as a touring member….. watch below ⬇️⬇️ 

TIME TO MAKE ANDY A FULL MEMBER? Andy Sneap has been performing with Judas Priest since 2018. At first, he mainly played the Rhythm Guitar Role on the 2018 tour, but starting in 2019 has been playing more complicated parts. On the 2022 tour, he has shown that he not only fills the role, but can play very difficult parts. Is it time for Judas Priest to make Andy a full member or do you think they will keep him as a touring member….. watch below ⬇️⬇️

 

 

**Is It Time to Make Andy Sneap a Full Member of Judas Priest? Fans Weigh In After Years of Flawless Performances**

 

*Birmingham, UK – July 2, 2025*

 

After seven years of crushing riffs, blistering solos, and seamless performances alongside one of heavy metal’s most legendary acts, guitarist **Andy Sneap** continues to ignite debate within the Judas Priest fanbase: **Should he finally be made a full, official member of the band?**

 

Since stepping in during **Judas Priest’s 2018 “Firepower” tour** to replace longtime guitarist **Glenn Tipton**, who stepped back from touring due to Parkinson’s disease, Sneap has proven himself as far more than just a stand-in. Many believe the time has come for Priest to make it official — and fans are calling for the move louder than ever.

 

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### 🎸 From Stand-In to Stage Commander

 

Initially brought in to handle Tipton’s rhythm and supporting guitar duties on tour, **Sneap — a respected metal producer and guitarist known for his work with bands like Sabbat and Accept** — has gradually taken on more complex solos and leads.

 

By the time of the **2022 and 2023 world tours**, Sneap was not just replicating Tipton’s intricate harmonies — he was **shredding through the most demanding passages with authority and style**.

 

> *“He’s not just playing the notes. He’s bringing fire to them,”* said one fan after a recent show in Berlin.

 

> *“Andy doesn’t just fill Glenn’s shoes — he makes them sprint,”* another posted on social media.

 

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### 🤘 More Than a Guitarist

 

While Judas Priest has officially listed Sneap as a **touring guitarist**, he has become **deeply involved behind the scenes** — from sound production input to gear decisions and live show arrangements. His chemistry with **Richie Faulkner** has become a highlight of the band’s modern era, with dual harmonies that echo the classic Tipton–Downing sound.

 

The fact that Sneap is a veteran of metal production — having worked on Priest’s *Firepower* album and other landmark records — only reinforces his **value as both a performer and creative asset**.

 

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### 🗣️ The Fan Verdict: “Make It Official”

 

The Judas Priest community has been increasingly vocal about making Sneap a permanent member, especially as the band gears up for their final years on the road. A popular YouTube video titled *“Time to Make Andy a Full Member?”* has sparked thousands of comments, overwhelmingly in favor:

 

> *“Seven years, countless shows, and still ‘touring member’? Come on guys, give him the honor.”*

> *“He’s one of us now. The fans already consider him part of the Priest family.”*

> *“Glenn himself gave Andy the nod — what more do you need?”*

 

Even Tipton, in past interviews, has praised Sneap’s playing and professionalism, calling him *“the right man for the job”* and thanking him for keeping the music alive on stage.

 

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### 🛑 Or Will Priest Stick to Tradition?

 

Some believe that Judas Priest may prefer to **honor the legacy structure of the band**, keeping Sneap as a permanent live contributor but not officially integrating him into the band’s core lineup. This would mirror how other legendary bands have handled lineup shifts in their final years.

 

But as Priest prepares for their **2026 joint farewell tour with Iron Maiden**, the pressure to **acknowledge Sneap as a full-fledged member** — perhaps even immortalizing him in future album credits — continues to build.

 

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### 🔮 Final Thoughts

 

Whether or not the band makes it official, **Andy Sneap has already earned the title in the hearts of fans**. His technical mastery, stage presence, and commitment to the Judas Priest sound have helped the band maintain its thunder well into its sixth decade.