ROB HALFORD REJOINS JUDAS PRIEST! From JudasPriest.com After more than 12 years apart Judas Priest and original lead vocalist Rob Halford have reunited for a global live concert tour in 2004. The definitive Judas Priest lineup of Rob Halford, lead guitarist Glenn Tipton, lead guitarist K.K. Downing, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis are back. The original band members have been re-establishing their personal and professional relationships since 1999 along the way sparking hundreds of reunion rumors. Several exciting projects, in addition to the 2004 world tour, are in the early planning stages. The long-awaited reunion of Judas Priest and Halford will thrill fans around the globe, and once again provide them with the opportunity to see and hear the band that defined Heavy Metal as we know it today. Judas Priest rose from the gritty, working-class steel town of Birmingham, England, and became one of the biggest bands in the world. Judas Priest are considered the groundbreaking inventors of true Heavy Metal music. From their debut release 'Rocka Rolla' through monumental albums such as 'Sad Wings of Destiny,' ''Sin After Sin,' 'Stained Class,' 'Hell Bent For Leather,' 'Unleashed in the East,' 'British Steel,' 'Screaming for Vengeance,' 'Defenders of the Faith' and 'Painkiller,' titanic songs like "Victim of Changes," "Sinner," "Exciter," "Hell Bent for Leather," "Living After Midnight," "Breaking the Law" and "You've Got Another Thing Comin' '' were born. Judas Priest defines and epitomizes both sonically and visually the Heavy Metal genre. Next year's reunion tour will also celebrate the band's 30th anniversary. Judas Priest and Ripper Owens, who replaced Halford, have parted amicably by mutual agreement. The band is very grateful for Ripper's work in helping them to continue to bring Judas Priest's music to their millions of fans and they expect big things for him in the future.
Woo hoo!!! I will most definitely be in attendance for whichever show in either Houston, Dallas or Austin. it doesnt matter where, I will be there!. Priest wasnt Priest without Rob.. Welcome back!
Well, this is great news! Let's face it, Judas Priest is one of the top 5 heavy metal bands of all-time and Halford was a big reason as was Tipton, Downing, etc. When Halford separated from the rest, both suffered...Halford and Tipton, etc. Nothing causes me to roll my eyes more than to read about a band performing like Judas Priest, Journey, Styx, etc without their lead singers. Sorry, but I don't consider those bands to be "Judas Priest", "Journey", and "Styx" without Halford, Perry, and DeYoung.
I've never been a huge Priest fan...but it might be worth the price of admission just to hear "Painkiller" live.
Anybody else catch the Priest/Iron Maiden concert in the early 80's (I think it was at the SH coliseum)? It was Maidens "Number of the Beast" Tour. Both bands rocked!!!
Wasnt that when JP was touring behind Screaming For Vengeance? I remember catching Priest in Dallas that year, but dont remember Maiden being with em.. I do remember seeing Maiden opening for someone that year..just cant remember who.. Have I lost *that* much memory that I cant even remember? Im sure I would have remembered if I had seen it.. Damn all that Beam and doobs..memory...gone...
No, but I saw Maiden with Queensryche and Halford solo a couple of years ago...does that count? Btw......Halford still hits every note live. He's incredible.
Yep, it was the "Screaming for Vengence" Tour. Maiden opened for Priest (at least in Houston they did). Maiden had a 15 to 20 foot "Eddie" come out during one of the songs. Now that was a SERIOUS heavy metal concert.
Where were you ? in Austin? I saw that same show here at the Woodlands...and they seriously ROCKED(even without Degarmo). Maiden ruled, Queensryche rocked my socks off...and Halford was outstanding. The best show I have paid for since the Red Cross show in 84 with Quiet Riot/Queensryche/Axe for 5 bucks at the Coliseum. BF*... I guess they could have been with em when I saw the show in Dallas...unfortunatley...I was seriously baked at that one...geeez.. that must have been their last opening band tour...cause I know for sure I saw them the next year supporting Piece of Mind..and they were headlining. I do remember that show.
No, good shows like that don't come to Austin. Austin's too cool for that stuff, I guess. It was in SA. They played 2 nights, I caught the second. I noticed Tate couldn't completely hit that note at the beginning of "Take Hold of the Flame". Not that anyone else could......but Halford still hits 'em all......wouldn't you agree?
And there was much rejoicing... As usual, I agree. What makes great bands great is that they are greater than the sum of their parts. Take one original member away (especially the lead freakin' singer!) and it's just not the same. Along with the bands mentioned above, see Van Halen, Judas Priest, REM, Smashing Pumpkins (after Chamberlain left),O-Town*, the list goes on and on... *that one was a joke
Ok, I was starting to question my memory so I did a search and found this info: JUDAS PRIEST - "Screaming For Vengance" US TOUR 1982 - (Special Guest - Iron Maiden ) Here is the site: http://w1.340.telia.com/~u34014312/tourdate2.htm
Kick ass! I met and partied with Halford and his former band, Fight about 10 years ago. I had tickets to their show and was invited to a party Sony had for the band at Chuy's on Richmond. Rob showed up late to say hi to everyone and sign some autographs. I got him to sign a copy of Painkiller. He and the rest of the guys from Fight were really cool.
Halford is okay, but this isnt as big as Bruce Dickinson rejoining Iron Maiden a couple of years ago.
I was thinking the same thing. Seriously though, Rob is cool and has the ultimate heavy metal voice. If I catch them this time, it will be my fourth time to see them. I didn't catch 'em with Maiden, but I did see Maiden headline with W.A.S.P. as the opener. Afterwards, we all went to Cardi's to see Armoured Saint and Metallica. What a night.
amen!!! where the hell have you been when I need some help to represent the almighty Maiden?? BF*, I believe ya man, I just cant believe that I was so baked that I cant recall seeing my favorite band on that tour. It was a looong time ago, and I have fried many brain cells since..but still..they are my fav band EVER... Freak, agreed, of course...Rob has still got it..and I cant wait to see him do it live with Priest again (seen em 4 times already)(please come to Houston, please come to Houston) I couldnt believe that Tate could hit that note naturally when the damn song came out...I kept insisting to friends that it had to be studio magic, till I saw him do it live soon after. Pole, We were partying at the same places that night, I was at Maiden/WASP...and also at the Armoured Saint show at Cardis. My ears were freaking bleedin for a week after those 2 shows.
I listened to "Devil's Child" in my car last night for the first time in a long time. When the song gets into the bridge (I guess that is what it is...it is 2 and a half minutes into the song), the hair on the back of my neck was literally standing up due to the incredible singing by Halford. If anyone ever doubts the talent of Rob's singing voice, listen to that song, especially to the bridge. Simply amazing.
Id like to see them live for nostalgic purposes. "Breaking the Law" "Another Thing Coming" "Turbo Lover" "Painkiller" "Hell Bent For Leather" Im more of an Iron Maiden fan though......
