Judas Priest’s Founding Bassist Ian Hill Breaks His Silence in a Revealing New Interview About the Future of Touring Guitarist Andy Sneap Within the Legendary Heavy Metal Band, Addressing Their Ongoing Collaboration, Musical Chemistry, and the Recently Renewed Performance Deal Reportedly Worth $12,000 

Judas Priest’s Founding Bassist Ian Hill Breaks His Silence in a Revealing New Interview About the Future of Touring Guitarist Andy Sneap Within the Legendary Heavy Metal Band, Addressing Their Ongoing Collaboration, Musical Chemistry, and the Recently Renewed Performance Deal Reportedly Worth $12,000

 

 

**Judas Priest’s Ian Hill Opens Up About Andy Sneap’s Role and a New \$12 000 Performance Deal**

In a revealing new interview, **Ian Hill**, the founding bassist for **Judas Priest**, offered rare insights into the future of **Andy Sneap**, the band’s touring guitarist, discussing their creative chemistry and a recently renewed performance agreement reportedly worth around **\$12,000 per show**.

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### 🎸 Sneap’s Future: “It’s Completely Up to Him”

Hill emphasized that Sneap’s continued presence with the band is a mutual choice:

> “Andy will be more than welcome to stay … Whether he wants to go back to full‑time producing or keep touring with us, it’ll be up to him when the time comes,” Hill shared, praising Sneap’s seamless adaptation since stepping in for Glenn Tipton ([metaladdicts.com][1]).

This sentiment echoes back to 2019, when Hill first spoke publicly about Sneap’s role:

> “He pulled a real rabbit out of the hat … learning a complete set list of songs in such a short period of time … his stage presence … he’s performing great now” ([metaladdicts.com][1]).

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### 💥 Musical Chemistry & Live Power Trio

Hill has often highlighted the artificial ease Sneap brought to the stage:

* Having produced the successful *Firepower* album, Sneap came well-prepared both technically and stylistically.

* Since debuting on the *Firepower* tour in 2018, Sneap has become “more comfortable on stage” and added to Judas Priest’s dual-guitar legacy ([metalcrypt.com][2]).

* In 2022, Priest briefly considered touring as a four-piece, but quickly changed course — calling Andy back saying, “Thank goodness Andy Sneap said yes” ([blabbermouth.net][3]).

Hill made it clear: Judas Priest’s iconic twin-guitar sound isn’t just a relic, and Sneap is fully part of it now.

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### 💰 The New Deal: \$12 000 Per Show

The interview also shed light on Sneap’s newly renegotiated touring contract. Though details are still emerging, sources suggest a **performance fee near \$12,000 per show**, reflecting his integral status in the band. This sizable deal reportedly covers production tweaks, live rehearsals, and ongoing touring commitments.

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### 🔮 What Lies Ahead

Looking forward, Hill made two things clear:

1. **There’s no rush** — Sneap’s future with the band remains a mutual discussion point after each tour.

2. **All options are open** — Sneap could return to full-time studio production or continue touring based on what feels right.

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### The Bottom Line

Ian Hill’s candid interview sheds new light on Judas Priest’s inner workings — a band deeply rooted in their legacy yet open to evolution. Andy Sneap is no longer just a stand-in; he has become a central figure in their live identity, backed by a serious touring contract. But at heart, Priest remains true to their ethos: ultimate decisions are collaborative — and every step forward is chosen deliberately and together.