ROCK ICON ROB HALFORD SAYS THE “THE ’80S, IN AMERICA, [WAS] ONE OF THE GREATEST DECADES FOR OUR KIND OF MUSIC”
As previously reported, Judas Priest will be re-releasing their 1986 record, Turbo, on three CDs (the original album and two bonus discs), as well as 1LP 150g vinyl, on February 3rd.
In an interview with The Rock Brigade, Priest frontman, and Metal God, Rob Halford discussed there record’s experimental sound at the time of its release stating, “Much like everything that we’ve done, we’ve kind of reflected on where we’ve been and what we are trying to aim for next. The big thing about this record is that for the first time in a long time, we were able to take our time.
There was a period in the early ’80s when Priest was literally banging out a record every year and a world tour every year. How did we do that, I don’t know. It was just that we were running on fire, we were having the times of our lives, we had deadlines to meet, we had an incredible thing going with the label.”
He adds, “So here’s the deal. Turbo, the middle of the 1980s, right? We had a little bit of time to kind of pull back and take our time to make this record. So we were in a different place. I mean, I was in a different place, because I had so much coke up my nose, I don’t know how I got through every day of the week, because I was raging at that point, personally.
What I’m trying to say is, America in 1986 and the mid-’80s was… wherever you went, there was incredible things happening in rock and metal. I always kind of reflect as the ’80s, particularly in America, as being one of the greatest decades for our kind of music. So we were wrapped up in all that, we were wrapped up in all that excitement and good times and party-party-party. And I think that we were just… we were making the record. The bulk of the record was made in America. Going down to Whisky, hanging out on the [Sunset] Strip, in Miami… Man, it was an absolute blast. And I think we were just… We were loving that moment, you know. The band was having a great time, and there was a lot of that in the music on ‘Turbo’.”
Listen to interview below.
To read more about the special re-release of Turbo and to view a track listing, please click here.
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No truer words have been spoken from my idol. I wish I could get in a time machine so badly. LOL! 🙂
D 🙂
You & me both, Dana, I will never forget all those “Wild Nights, Hot & Crazy Days!” 😉 80’s forever! 🙂
I wish I had that time machine I regret that I never went to more concerts back then. I was a town away from Studio One in Newark NJ only been there a few times I miss that place as well as the Burchill in Old Bridge fond memories tiny spaces and cranked loud metal (come to think of if did go more often I be deaf by now
There’s no denying the truth of what Rob says, but unfortunately one of the conclusions people draw from it is that this music can be enjoyed for mostly nostalgic purposes.
Dee Snider may be content with being the Sha Na Na of the 80s, but for many artists, Rob included, some of their best work has been in the last twenty-five years. “This is from our new album!” is for too many a signal that it’s time for a p*** break.
It’s always interesting for me to see how people perceive the same things so differently. I have a different perception of hard rock and metal in the 80s (and as a result, probably fall into the “exception” category).
For me, it was quite a departure from the 70s; the grit that was characteristic of album production in earlier recordings lay buried under a haze of studio gloss. Also, the overall song quality was affected by bands vying for rotation on radio and MTV. Bands that were at the forefront of their genre – KISS, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Aerosmith – released groundbreaking music in the 70’s and conversely, their worst offerings in the 80s. Turbo is one of those decisions to acquiesce to current trends; compared to albums like Hell Bent For Leather and Stained Class, it, like (most) 80s Priest, pales.
While the 80s were a bold step forward for the alternative market, it was mostly a step backwards for hard rock and metal (I’m especially looking at hair/pop metal bands like Poison, Bon Jovi, Warrant, etc). Thankfully, things would change radically in the 90s with the alt/grunge movement.
Always good, though, to hear different sides of the story.
Allan,
As they say, to each their own, but I have to respectfully disagree.
To me, Priest’s greatest album of all time, Screaming For Vengeance, was released in 1982. British Steel (whom some consider the band’s best LP) was released in 1980, not to mention the overlooked Point of Entry, in 1981.
Some other very honorable mentions: The underrated rock masterpiece, Blue Murder’s self titled debut album (1989), Ozzy’s Blizzard Of Ozz (1980) and Diary Of A Madman (1981), Van Halen’s Women And Children First (1980), Fair Warning (1981) and 1984, AC/DC’s Back In Black (one of most successful selling records of all time), Def Leppard’s High N’ Dry (1981) and Pyromania (1983), Tesla’s Mechanical Resonance (1989), Dokken’s Under Lock and Key (1985) and Back for the Attack (1987), Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction (1987), Whitesnake’s Slide It In (1984) and their self titled ’87 record. Plus great records from bands such as Ratt, Kix, Mr. Big’s debut album, Queensryche’s Operation Mindcrime (1988), L.A Guns’ Cocked And Loaded, Badlands self titled record (1989) and the list goes on and on…
While there is no question the 70’s had some inspiring material from AC/DC, Van Halen and Priest. In addition to the 90’s, ushering in Lynch Mob’s Wicked Sensation, Extreme’s Pornograffittii, Mr. Big’s Lean Into It, among others. To diminish the 80s, based on bands such as Poison, Bon Jovi and Warrant, whom I all happen to like, seems a bit shortsighted and thoughtless. For the record, no pun intended, Warrant’s Cherry Pie was released in 1990.
In parting, I do not happen to be a fan of the Grunge movement. I would take an inspiring melodic solo from Randy Rhoads, George Lynch, Sykes or Van Halen over an entire Pearl Jam song any day of week, and twice on Sunday. However again, to each their own.
Long live the 80’s.
D 🙂
QUIET RIOT’S “Metal Health,” (1983) (ah, to be 17 again…) let’s not forget what that album did for hard rock and metal in the 80’s.
You are absolutely right, Doug.
D 🙂
The 70’s are probably my favorite period for music, overall. I love a lot of the bands like AC/DC, KISS, Sabbath, Scorpions, Aerosmith, Boston, Nugent, Zeppelin, Frampton,Chicago, ELO, BTO, Kansas, Chicago, etc…but I also enjoy the pop bands like KC & Sunshine Band, Jackson 5, Carly Simon, Commodores, etc…and my favorite live albums came from the 70’s…KISS Allive I and II, AC/DC’s If You Want Blood…, Frampton Comes Live, Foghat Live, Nugent Double Live Gonzo, Aerosmith Bootleg, Priest Unleased in the East, Scorpions Tokyo Tapes….
But for heavy metal, the 80’s was just a special period. So many iconic metal bands releasing groundbreaking music that just expanded the brank of heavy music. Also, the lifestyle, hanging with my friends at their house dubbed “House of Steel”, playing guitar in garage bands, rockin’ the leather jackets, etc…the 80’s were such a special period, in my life, for music.
House Of Steel, I love it. Wish I could have been there.
D 🙂
Yup those were the days. Didnt have crap for money as a teen in the 80`s but everyday was an adventure, metal heads every where you went. The concerts were amazing because every band was coming up with new stage shows each tour to blow you away as well. Who can for get Dio slaying the dragon or Ozzy coming out on a giant hand. Halford riding out on a Harley on there elaborate stage setup. The list goes on and on but definately the coolest of times for metal. Then Firehouse came along and destroyed our genre,lol.
Damn Dana, your list of honorable mentions is my youth all wrapped up in one paragraph. Those are the bands that inspired me to play, and introduced me to Metal (post Sabbath).
Now I want to go buy every one of the records again!
I am so happy to hear that, T.
Should you purchase any on those on the list, please let me know.
D 🙂
I think the Metal God is so correct! The 80’s were a great time to be a metal head. So many great, classic albums came out in that decade. In 1980, I discovered the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era and great undiscovered bands (at the time undiscovered) like Maiden, Saxon, Tygers, Samson, Angel Witch, Diamond Head, Trust…as well as lesser known bands like A II Z, Sweet Savage, Tank, Trespass. Thrash metal made its debut… In the 80’s countless metal bands were headlining arenas, and fans attending would gather in the parking lot well before the gig and tailgate…grilling food, drinking beers, all while jamming to their favorite metal songs loudly played through the cassette decks of their car stereos. My friends and I would head up to LA clubs (Roxy, Troubadour, Country Club, etc….) to see bands like Loudness, Y&T, Yngwie, WASP, Keel, Black N Blue, Wild Dogs, Warrior, Odin, Stryper, Witch, Rhoads, etc…and my favorite local LA band…Steeler.
Metal in the 80s wasn’t just about the music…it was a lifestyle. Like Biff of Saxon sings “Where were you in 79 when the dam began to burst… Denim and Leather. Brought us all together. It was you that set the spirit free”. Horn up, Motherf**kers!! \m/
And what a lifestyle when the 80s hit I was mid way through high school. 70s exposed to a lot of different music from lighter rock bands Kansas and my intro to Kiss ,Aerosmith Queen and a lot of Punk in 78. My first intro to true metal prob.Black Sabbbath mob rules Priest Iron Maiden Metallica Overkill etc followed. My eclectic exposure to 70s I could listen to Genasis Rush Tom petty and a lot other 80s music ,but when grudge hit blaming glam ( honestly some bands we’re not that bad example Kix). I miss it and 80s music only listen to today’s pop stuff is utter garbage that even my eclectic ends cannot overcome.