Judas Priest
Judas Priest is a British Heavy Metal band that formed in Birmingham, England in 1969. They were one of the pioneering bands preceding the 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal' movement. The original line-up included guitarist John Perry, bassist Bruno Stapenhill, drummer John Partridge, and singer Al Atkins. Over the years, the band went through several changes in members and eventually settled with Rob Halford as their lead vocalist. With their powerful sound and iconic stage presence, Judas Priest has become one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time.
Throughout their career, Judas Priest experienced various lineup changes but maintained a strong musical identity. Guitarists K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton joined in 1970 and 1974 respectively, solidifying the core lineup alongside bassist Ian Hill. The band's sound evolved over time while still staying true to their heavy metal roots.
In 1993, Rob Halford left Judas Priest to pursue a solo career but returned to the group in 2003 after rekindling his relationship with them during work on a retrospective album called "Metalogy." The band continued to release albums and tour extensively with this restored lineup until K.K. Downing's departure in 2009.
