The band and its former member KK Downing released statements
Dave Holland, former drummer for the bands Judas Priest and Trapeze, has died at the age of 69 , according to the Spanish newspaper El Progreso.
A few hours after the news broke, Judas Priest released a statement to Blabbermouth.net regarding the loss:
“We heard the news of Dave Holland’s death and we are very sad. Despite his actions since leaving the band, his time with us was the most productive and successful period of our career and we will miss him dearly.”
KK Downing, former guitarist and co-founder of Judas Priest, also released a statement regarding the death of his colleague:
"It is with great sadness that I must accept the sudden and unexpected news that Dave Holland has passed away. Dave was a good friend in life and a great musician, both in the studio and on stage. I will cherish all the shows we played together and all the albums we made together. I will be eternally grateful for Dave's contribution to Judas Priest."
According to the newspaper, he died on January 16th at the Lucus Augusti University Hospital in Lugo, Spain. The cause of death has not yet been revealed, but his body has already been cremated, according to sources from the newspaper.
The musician left the band in 1989 for "personal and family reasons," being replaced by Scott Travis, the current drummer of Judas Priest. He became a drum teacher and in 2004, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for attempted rape against a 17-year-old student. Holland has always insisted on his innocence, claiming he never assaulted the boy.
Holland recorded major hits with Judas Priest, appearing on the albums British Steel (1980), Point of Entry (1981), Screaming for Vengeance (1982), Defenders of the Faith (1984), Turbo (1986) and Ram It Down (1988).
According to the newspaper, the drummer had moved to a secluded place in Lugo and was living a private life.
