Judas Priest

Judas Priest

Formed in Birmingham, England in 1969, Judas Priest consists of Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing on guitars, Dave Holland on drums, Ian Hill on bass and Rob Halford, lead vocals. Wearing lots of leather and chains, the band didn’t get signed for nearly five years. Their first two albums, Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny did not do well, selling only marginally. However, their live appearances in England were another story. As they developed an impressive following, they found a new record label (Columbia) and recorded Sin After Sin with exDeep Purple bassist Roger Glover producing. Their songs defied the usual lengthy drone of many metal bands and featured a strange version of Joan Baez’s “Diamonds & Rust.” Catchier and more radiooriented, many believe Judas Priest led the way for Ratt, Def Leppard and other more commercial metal bands.

As members came and went over the years, Judas released Stained Class and Unleashed In The East (a live LP with Halford now comfortably in his trademark S&M gear on board a Harley). 1980 saw the success of British Steel, but it wasn’t until ’82 and the release of Screaming For Vengeance that Judas Priest really nailed American audiences.

Improving their sound quality with updated improvements in studio equipment, Priest utilized Sony Digital recording for their 1986 Turbo album. Determined to discover “the most advanced and sophisticated way of recording our music,” the band decided to take chances with their appearance as well. “We want to look as modern and strong as the music,” Halford has said. “The leather look has become a bit dated. Other bands picked it up from us and we fell we’ve moved beyond that. It’s essential to keep moving in every way possible.”