ROB HALFORD SAYS THAT JUDAS PRIEST ARE MAKING PREPARATIONS TO CELEBRATE THE BAND’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2019
Rob Halford has revealed that Judas Priest is planning to mark the band’s 50th anniversary in 2019 with a special celebration.
“We are, yes,” he told Sara Parker of Philadelphia’s 93.3 WMMR radio station in a new interview (as per blabbermouth.net). “We’re already having these discussions every now and again in the band and with our label and with our promoters and management. We have some ideas and when we get close to solidifying something, we’ll let you guys know.”
He added, “It’s gonna be a great year. What a celebration. Another incredible milestone for Judas Priest that we’re looking forward to sharing with everybody.”
Bassist Ian Hill is the sole remaining original member of the band, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and guitarist Glenn Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left Priest in the early 1990s to form his own band, then returned in 2003. Founding guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Richie Faulkner.
Judas Priest will be hitting the road at the end of August for a co-headlining run with fellow classic heavy rockers Deep Purple, see dates below.
Deep Purple And Judas Priest Tour Dates:
8/21 — Cincinnati, OH — Riverbend Music Center
8/22 — Chicago, IL — Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
8/24 — Detroit, MI — Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
8/25 — Mt. Pleasant, MI — Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort
8/27 — Hamilton, ON — FirstOntario Centre
8/29 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre
8/30 — Quebec City, QC — Centre Videotron
9/1 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
9/2 — Bethel Woods, NY — Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
9/5 — Darien Center, NY — Darien Lake Amphitheater
9/6 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center
9/8 — Virginia Beach, VA — Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
9/9 — Camden, NJ — BB&T Pavilion
9/11 — Charlotte, NC — PNC Music Pavilion
9/12 — Jacksonville, FL — Daily’s Place
9/14 — Atlanta, GA — Verizon Amphitheatre
9/16 — Biloxi, MS — Mississippi Coast Coliseum
9/18 — Kansas City, MO — Starlight Theatre
9/20 — Welch, MN — Treasure Island Casino
9/21 — Council Bluffs, IA — Harrah’s Council Bluffs
9/23 — Denver, CO — Pepsi Center
9/26 — San Diego, CA — Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
9/27 — Irvine, CA — FivePoint Amphitheatre
9/29 — Mountain View, CA — Shoreline Amphitheatre
9/30 — Wheatland, CA — Toyota Amphitheatre
The Mighty Priest will be here in Charlotte, NC in a couple of weeks, my question is WHY are they opening for Deep Purple? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? They have not been here for YEARS, I’m just THRILLED they are back and hope they will come back AGAIN, on their 50th Anniversary Tour…METAL GODS!!!