One of heavy metal’s all-time greats, Judas Priest, will get the opportunity to celebrate their 50th anniversary again this year with the launch of a new North American fall tour. The 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour will also feature Queensrÿche as openers and is being fueled by the highest charting album of Priest’s career, Firepower, which peaked at number five on the Billboard 200.
Additionally in 2022, Priest band members Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill and Scott Travis will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“Defending the heavy metal faith for fifty years, the Priest is back.” stated frontman Rob Halford.
Guitarist Glenn Tipton adds, “Time to don the leather and studs and roll out the Priest Machine – celebrating our 50 Heavy Metal Years.”
“After the horrific last few years of restrictions we’ve all had to endure, what better place to break free, than the land of the free – the USA.” stated bassist Ian Hill.
Dates are as follows:
Oct. 13 Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale Oct. 15 Albany, NY @ MVP Arena Oct. 16 Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall Fenway Oct. 18 Uniondale, NY at Nassau Veterans Oct. 19 Wilkes-Barre, PA @ Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza Oct. 21 Kalamazoo, MI at Wings Event Center Oct. 22 Detroit, MI at Masonic Temple Theatre Oct. 24 Cincinnati, OH @ The Andrew J Brady Music Center Oct. 25 Waukegan, IL @ Genesee Theatre Oct. 27 Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center Theater Oct. 29 Moline, IL @ TaxSlayer Center Moline Oct. 30 Mankato, MN @ Mayo Clinic Event Center Nov. 1 Sioux City, IA @ Tyson Events Center Nov. 2 Rapid City, SD @ The Monument Nov. 7 Ontario, CA @ Toyota Center Nov. 8 Tucson, AZ @ TCC Arena Nov. 10 Loveland, CO @ Budweiser Events Center Nov. 12 Park City (Wichita),KS @Hartman Arena Nov. 13 St. Charles, MO @ The Family Arena Nov. 15 Corbin, KY @ The Corbin Arena Nov. 17 – Southaven, MS @ Landers Center Nov. 18 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Raising Canes River Center Nov. 20 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Paycom Center Nov. 22 – San Antonio, TX @ Tech Port Center & Arena Nov. 23 – San Antonio, TX @ Tech Port Center & Arena Nov. 25 – Dallas, TX @ The Factory – Deep Ellum Nov. 26 – Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street Nov. 28 – Edinburg, TX @ Burt Ogden Arena Nov. 29 – Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall
Judas Priest originally formed in 1970 in Birmingham, England (an area that many feel birthed heavy metal). The original nucleus of musicians would go on to change the face of heavy metal. Throughout the 70’s Priest were responsible for helping trail blaze metal with such classic offerings as Sad Wings of Destiny (1976) Sin After Sin (1977) and Hell Bent for Leather (1978) as well as one of the genre’s top live recordings Unleashed in the East (1979) among others.
It was during the 80’s that Priest conquered the world, becoming a global arena headliner on the strength of such all-time classics as British Steel (1980) and Screaming for Vengeance (1982), as well as being one of the first metal bands to be embraced by the then-burgeoning MTV, plus performing at some of the decades biggest concerts (1980’s Monsters of Rock, 1983’s US Festival, and 1985’s Live Aid) and being the first to exclusively wear leather and studs – a look that began during this era and would eventually be embraced by metal heads throughout the world. Priest’s success continued throughout the 90’s and beyond with the addition of drummer Scott Travis, as evidenced by such additional stellar offerings as Painkiller (1990) Angel of Retribution (2005) and A Touch of Evil: Live (2009) the latter of which saw Priest win a Grammy Award for a killer rendition of the classic Dissident Aggressor.
In 2011 new guitarist Richie Faulkner came in to replace the original guitarist, K.K. Downing, who had left in 2010 – the move seemed to have reinvigorated the band, as evidenced by a show-stealing performance on the American Idol TV program that also served as Faulkner’s debut performance with the band (also in 2011 was the release of a new compilation The Chosen Few which included Priest classics selected by some of metal’s biggest names) and the Epitaph concert DVD in 2013.
Priest’s next studio effort would arrive in 2014 Redeemer of Souls which was supported by another strong tour. In 2018, Priest unleashed their latest studio album Firepower (produced by Andy Sneap and Tom Allom) which received global success and critical acclaim. In 2020, a fully official and authorized photographic book, Judas Priest: 50 Heavy Metal Years, was issued, followed in 2021 by the 42-CD box set, Judas Priest: 50 Heavy Metal Years of Music.
Few rock or metal acts remain as much of a must-see live attraction as Judas Priest.
“In 2011 new guitarist Richie Faulkner came in to replace the previous guitarist who had left in 2010”
The previous guitarist has a name – Kenneth Downing; or KK Downing. If this is an official press release from the band, I find that very disrespectful.
I don’t bother with this band anymore which is a shame because they were (still are in the classic line-up sense) my second favourite band only to Black Sabbath.
I also haven’t liked the albums they’ve put out since KK left. Normally I wouldn’t have said anything on this subject; but when I read that line, like I said I thought it was disrespectful to someone who was not only a major part of the band but also their sound.
What is it with these classic bands and rockstars that the older they get the more childish they seem to become against each other; whether currently or formerly in the band?
Maybe it’s just some sort of marketing ploy to keep people’s attention?
(Hi Dana, been a while since I’ve asked – how is your mum/mom doing of late? Is there any improvement?)
Things have been very stressful for me, and I do not anticipate them easing up for a good while. But, thank you for asking (virtual kiss), it means A LOT.
This was a press release sent by their PR firm, who I suspect wrote the copy. I must admit I did not read it, but I agree that sentence is highly offensive. Since this is my favorite band, I will change said sentence.
Rattleheadon
I love Priest, but I just can’t accept there is no Tipton AND Downing in my Judas Priest….and i’ve tried hard to accept this lineup.
It’s like Doug R. once greatly posted about himself not accepting Tommy Thayer/Eric Singer in KI$$….”Replacing band members is one thing. But replacing legends is something else”. I agree with him about KI$$, and I also think it’s applicable for Judas Priest.
Additionally in 2022, Priest band members Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill and Scott Travis will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Will they though? More like a seat at the kids table. They’ll finally let them in but they have to sneak thru the back. Plus KK won’t be “inducted”? What’s with that?
Kk not being inducted ????
Just more proof that the hall of shame is a sham run by out of touch self proclaimed arbiters of what great music is… making up shit as they go , and sadly getting away with it year after year because they are the only game in town and no one with any real INDUSTRY clout has the stones to publicly speak out – this organization seems to be run by out of touch elitist bullying idiots ~
No kk I won’t be going ~
“In 2011 new guitarist Richie Faulkner came in to replace the previous guitarist who had left in 2010”
The previous guitarist has a name – Kenneth Downing; or KK Downing. If this is an official press release from the band, I find that very disrespectful.
I don’t bother with this band anymore which is a shame because they were (still are in the classic line-up sense) my second favourite band only to Black Sabbath.
I also haven’t liked the albums they’ve put out since KK left. Normally I wouldn’t have said anything on this subject; but when I read that line, like I said I thought it was disrespectful to someone who was not only a major part of the band but also their sound.
What is it with these classic bands and rockstars that the older they get the more childish they seem to become against each other; whether currently or formerly in the band?
Maybe it’s just some sort of marketing ploy to keep people’s attention?
(Hi Dana, been a while since I’ve asked – how is your mum/mom doing of late? Is there any improvement?)
Hi my friend,
Things have been very stressful for me, and I do not anticipate them easing up for a good while. But, thank you for asking (virtual kiss), it means A LOT.
This was a press release sent by their PR firm, who I suspect wrote the copy. I must admit I did not read it, but I agree that sentence is highly offensive. Since this is my favorite band, I will change said sentence.
I love Priest, but I just can’t accept there is no Tipton AND Downing in my Judas Priest….and i’ve tried hard to accept this lineup.
It’s like Doug R. once greatly posted about himself not accepting Tommy Thayer/Eric Singer in KI$$….”Replacing band members is one thing. But replacing legends is something else”. I agree with him about KI$$, and I also think it’s applicable for Judas Priest.
Additionally in 2022, Priest band members Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill and Scott Travis will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Will they though? More like a seat at the kids table. They’ll finally let them in but they have to sneak thru the back. Plus KK won’t be “inducted”? What’s with that?
Kk not being inducted ????
Just more proof that the hall of shame is a sham run by out of touch self proclaimed arbiters of what great music is… making up shit as they go , and sadly getting away with it year after year because they are the only game in town and no one with any real INDUSTRY clout has the stones to publicly speak out – this organization seems to be run by out of touch elitist bullying idiots ~
Hi Robert
KK IS being inducted with Judas Priest into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame (or Shame as Eddie calls it!)
Both Rob Halford and Ian Hill have stated that if they get to play they would welcome and hope that KK will play alongside them.