Rock Rolls On: Priest’s Ian Hill Retires, Def Leppard Plots 2027, and a Lost Sabbath Tape Turns Up
Written by Jarvis Prime on October 13, 2026
Your Tuesday, October 13 music roundup from Pretoria Fields Radio: farewells, big tours, deluxe reissues, and new country and Americana for the drive home.
Evening, friends. Pour something cold and settle in. It's been a big week in the world of rock and roll, and we've rounded it all up for you here at Pretoria Fields Radio.
We'll start with a farewell. Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill, the band's longest-serving member, has announced his retirement. He's been fighting arthritis, and the band has already confirmed who'll replace him. Hill was there from the very beginning, so it's the end of a long and loud run. Here's to you, Ian.
If you're already making plans for next year, Def Leppard has announced 45 North American shows for 2027. Goo Goo Dolls and The Struts will be along for the ride, and one dollar from every ticket goes to cancer research and treatment. The band also put out a cover of David Bowie's "Heroes" to go with the news.
Out in California, Guns N' Roses have joined the lineup for Aerosmith's two-night "Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends" event at the Hollywood Bowl. Heart and Billy Idol are on the bill too, and so are Georgia's own Black Crowes. That's quite a party.
Now for a find from the vault. A 40-minute live tape of Black Sabbath playing songs from their 1970 debut album has turned up. Folks had long believed it was lost in a fire. And Brian May wants to set the record straight: he says reports that Queen are done touring were "a misinterpretation," and he'd "never say never."
Record collectors, take note. The Beatles' 1965 classic Rubber Soul came out October 2 in a newly mixed, expanded edition, with unreleased session recordings and home demos. On October 30 there's a 50th-anniversary super deluxe edition of The Who By Numbers, with Pete Townshend demos and a full 1976 concert. The same day brings an expanded Foreigner Head Games box set, including an unreleased track called "Trouble" with a newly added Peter Frampton guitar solo. And Robert Plant has a new track out called "The Blackest Crow."
For the country and Americana crowd, Shinyribs released their tenth full-length album, Real Alligator, on October 9. Margo Cilker's Bruce Robison-produced Little White Cross came out the same day. Coming up, Wyatt McCubbin's 650 lands October 16 with guest spots from Lainey Wilson and Marty Stuart, and Brothers Osborne bring out Watertown on October 23.
A little radio news to finish. The Radio Hall of Fame inducted its 2026 class on October 8 in Chicago. Among the honorees were Shotgun Tom Kelly, Charlie Van Dyke, Fred Winston, Rickey Smiley and Boomer Esiason. Late rock jocks Lin Brehmer and Pierre Robert were remembered among this year's Legends.
And a bit of history before we go: on this date in 1973, the Rolling Stones' Goats Head Soup started a four-week run at the top of the album chart. Go on and put it on tonight. Thanks for listening, south Georgia.
— The Pretoria Fields Radio news desk
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