Former Judas Priest drummer Dave Hollad has died. He was 69
Former Judas Priest drummer Dave Hollad has died. He was 69.
Holland, who had been living in exile in A Fonsagrada, Spain, died on January 16. The cause of death has not been released.
‘It is with regret that we hear of the passing of Dave Holland,’ Judas Priest said 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 Dave was an integral part of that and for that alone he will be missed,’ the statement continued.
In 2004, the drummer was found guilty of attempted rape and indecent assault against a 17-year-old whom he was giving drum lessons.
Holland had denied assaulting the teen, who had learning difficulties, at his rural English home in 2002.
Prosecutors said at the time that the teenager, who had sometimes stayed overnight at Holland’s house while taking lessons, wrote a letter to his parents in December 2002 describing the abuse.
‘It revealed that things were happening at his drum teacher’s house that shouldn’t have been happening,’ prosecution lawyer Maria Savvides, said in 2004.
Holland (far right, with Judas Priest), who had been living in exile in A Fonsagrada, Spain, died on January 16. The cause of death has not been released.
In 2004, the drummer (left in 1983) was found guilty of attempted rape and indecent assault against a 17-year-old whom he was giving drum lessons. Holland (right in 1985) had denied assaulting the teen at his rural English home in 2002
He was sentenced to eight years in prison for one charge of attempted rape and five counts of indecent assault.
In 2012, Holland was released from prison. Holland was born in Northampton, England, on April 5, 1948.
He played in a series of pop and rock bands including Finders Keepers and Trapeze, which also featured future Deep Purple bassist Glenn Hughes, according to Billboard.
Holland then left Trapeze to play with Judas Priest, a hard-rocking British band, in 1979 and stayed for a decade, through its most successful period.
Judas Priest churned out a string of heavy-metal classics, including You’ve Got Another Thing Coming, Living After Midnight and Hell Bent for Leather.
‘It is with deep regret that I have to accept the sudden and unexpected news that Dave Holland has passed away. Dave was a solid friend in life and solid musician both on the stage and in the studio,’ wrote former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing on Facebook.
Judas Priest churned out a string of heavy-metal classics, including You’ve Got Another Thing Coming, Living After Midnight and Hell Bent for Leather
Holland (pictured in 1983) is survived by his three sisters, Sarah, Jane and Charlotte Holland
‘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,’ Downing wrote.
When Holland left Judas Priest in 1989, he was replaced by drummer Scott Travis on the group’s 1990s Painkiller album.
According to the book, The Story of Judas Priest: Defenders of the Faith, the group’s original singer, Al Atkins said Holland left the group for two reasons.
Atkins claimed Holland left to take care of his sister, who suffered from multiple sclerosis and his ailing mother, and because the band reportedly never made him a full member.
Holland is survived by his three sisters, Sarah, Jane and Charlotte Holland.