Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham. Formed in September 1969, the group originally featured vocalist Al Atkins, bassist Bruno Stapenhill, drummer John Partridge and guitarist John Perry (who died shortly after their formation and was replaced by Ernie Chataway). Partridge was replaced by Fred Woolley in 1970 shortly before the band broke up after just seven months, at which point Atkins joined a group called Freight which featured guitarist Kenneth "K. K." Downing, bassist Ian Hill and drummer John Ellis. Freight soon took over the Judas Priest moniker and underwent a succession of drummer changes: Alan Moore replaced Ellis in 1971, who was followed by Chris "Congo" Campbell, and later John Hinch in 1973. Hinch joined alongside his Hiroshima bandmate Rob Halford, after Atkins decided to leave due to the band's frustrations trying to sign a record deal.

History

Upon signing a deal with record label Gull in April 1974, Judas Priest enlisted Flying Hat Band frontman Glenn Tipton as co-lead guitarist. After the release and promotion of the band's debut album Rocka Rolla, Hinch was replaced by the returning Moore. The drummer performed on Sad Wings of Destiny, but left again during the sessions for its follow-up Sin After Sin, which were completed by session contributor Simon Phillips. For the album's promotional tour, Les Binks was brought in on drums. Binks remained for the albums Stained Class and Killing Machine, before he left the band and was replaced by former Trapeze drummer Dave Holland in August 1979. This lineup proved to be the most stable to date, producing six studio albums: British Steel, Point of Entry, Screaming for Vengeance, Defenders of the Faith, Turbo and Ram It Down.

In November 1989, Scott Travis replaced Holland and debuted on Painkiller. The album was the last at the time to feature Halford, who later left in May 1992 due to musical differences and growing tensions. The group went on hiatus for a few years, before enlisting Tim "Ripper" Owens – frontman of a Judas Priest tribute act called British Steel – as Halford's replacement in May 1996. Owens recorded two albums with the band – 1997's Jugulator and 2001's Demolition – before Halford rejoined in July 2003. 2005's Angel of Retribution and 2008's Nostradamus followed, before Downing left and was replaced by Richie Faulkner in April 2011. The guitarist's departure was reportedly due to differences with other band members and management. In February 2018, Tipton ceased touring full-time with the band after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, with Andy Sneap taking his place on tour, and Tipton making occasional appearances on subsequent tours.

Members Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsIan Hillall Judas Priest releasesRob Halfordall Judas Priest releases from Rocka Rolla (1974) to Painkiller (1990), and from Angel of Retribution (2005) onwardsGlenn Tipton all Judas Priest releasesScott Travisall Judas Priest releases from Painkiller (1990) onwardsRichie Faulkner2011–presentall Judas Priest releases from Redeemer of Souls (2014) onwards

Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsAl Atkinslead vocalsnoneK. K. Downingall Judas Priest releases from Rocka Rolla (1974) to A Touch of Evil: Live (2009)John Ellis1970–1971drumsAlan "Skip" MooreSad Wings of Destiny (1976)Chris "Congo" Campbell1972–1973John Hinch1973–1975 Rocka Rolla (1974)Les BinksDave Holland1979–1989 all Judas Priest releases from British Steel (1980) to Ram It Down (1988)Tim "Ripper" Owens1996–2003lead vocalsall Judas Priest releases from Jugulator (1997) to Live in London (2003)

Early members ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsBrian "Bruno" Stapenhill1969–1970bassJohn PartridgedrumsJohn Perry1969 guitarErnie Chataway1969–1970 Fred Woolley1970drums

Session and Touring ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsSimon Phillips1977 drumsSin After Sin (1977)Jeff Martin1985–1986 backing vocalsTurbo (1986)Don AireyAndy SneapDave Rimmer2026bassSubstitute for Ian Hill

Timeline

Lineups PeriodMembersReleasesSeptember — November 1969Al Atkins – vocals Bruno Stapenhill – bass John Partridge – drums John Perry – guitarsrowspan="3" November 1969 – March 1970Al Atkins – vocals Bruno Stapenhill – bass John Partridge – drums Ernie Chataway – guitarsMarch — April 1970Al Atkins – vocals Bruno Stapenhill – bass Ernie Chataway – guitars Fred Woolley – drumsBand inactive April – October 1970October 1970 – June 1971Al Atkins – vocals Ian Hill – bass K. K. Downing – guitars John Ellis – drumsrowspan="4" June 1971 – June 1972Al Atkins – vocals Ian Hill – bass K. K. Downing – guitars Alan Moore – drumsJune 1972 – May 1973Al Atkins – vocals Ian Hill – bass K. K. Downing – guitars Chris Campbell – drumsMay 1973 – April 1974Ian Hill – bass K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals Rob Halford – lead vocals John Hinch – drumsApril 1974 — October 1975Ian Hill – bass K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals Rob Halford – lead vocals John Hinch – drums Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, keyboardsRocka Rolla (1974)October 1975 – January 1977Rob Halford – lead vocals K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards Ian Hill – bass Alan Moore – drumsSad Wings of Destiny (1976)January – March 1977Ian Hill – bass K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals Rob Halford – lead vocals Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards Simon Phillips – drums Sin After Sin (1977)March 1977 – July 1979Ian Hill – bass K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals Rob Halford – lead vocals Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards Les Binks – drumsStained Class (1978) Killing Machine (1978) Unleashed in the East (1979)August 1979 – October 1989Ian Hill – bass K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals, synthesisers Rob Halford – lead vocals Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, synthesisers Dave Holland – drumsBritish Steel (1980) Point of Entry (1981) Screaming for Vengeance (1982) Judas Priest Live (Recorded 1982, released 2006) Defenders of the Faith (1984) Turbo (1986) Priest...Live! (1987) Ram It Down (1988)November 1989 – May 1992Ian Hill – bass K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals Rob Halford – lead vocals Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals Scott Travis – drumsPainkiller (1990)Band inactive May 1992 – May 1996May 1996 – July 2003Ian Hill – bass K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals Scott Travis – drums Tim "Ripper" Owens – lead vocalsJugulator (1997) '98 Live Meltdown (1998) Demolition (2001) Live in London (2003)July 2003 – April 2011Ian Hill – bass K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals, synthesisers Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, synthesisers Scott Travis – drums Rob Halford – lead vocalsAngel of Retribution (2005) Rising in the East (2005) Nostradamus (2008) A Touch of Evil: Live (2009)April 2011 – February 2018Ian Hill – bass Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals Scott Travis – drums, backing vocals Rob Halford – lead vocals Richie Faulkner – guitars, backing vocalsEpitaph (2013) Redeemer of Souls (2014) Battle Cry (2016) Firepower (2018)February 2018 – 10 January 2022Ian Hill – bass Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals Scott Travis – drums, backing vocals Rob Halford – lead vocals Richie Faulkner – guitars, backing vocals Andy Sneap – guitars Firepower World Tour10–15 January 2022 Ian Hill – bass Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals Scott Travis – drums, backing vocals Rob Halford – lead vocals Richie Faulkner – guitars, backing vocals 15 January 2022 – presentIan Hill – bass Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals Scott Travis – drums, backing vocals Rob Halford – lead vocals Richie Faulkner – guitars, backing vocals Andy Sneap – guitars, backing vocals Invincible Shield (2024)

References

Bibliography

External links Judas Priest official website