(left to right) Scott Travis, K. K. Downing, Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton and Ian Hill (Obscured)
(left to right) Richie Faulkner, Rob Halford, Scott Travis, Glenn Tipton and Ian Hill.
(left to right) Andy Sneap, Scott Travis, Richie Faulkner, Rob Halford, Ian Hill and Glenn Tipton.
Four line-ups of Judas Priest in 2002, 2008, 2014 and 2024.
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham. Formed in September 1969, the group originally featured vocalist Al Atkins, guitarist John Perry (who died shortly after their formation and was replaced by Ernie Chataway), bassist Bruno Stapenhill and drummer John Partridge.[1] Partridge was replaced by Fred Woolley in 1970[2] shortly before the band broke up after just seven months,[3] at which point Atkins joined a group called Freight which featured guitarist Kenneth "K. K." Downing, bassist Ian Hill and drummer John Ellis.[4] 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.[5] 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.[1]
Scott Travis replaced long-time drummer Dave Holland in 1989 and has stayed to be the bands longest tenured drummer.
In November 1989, Scott Travis replaced Holland and debuted on Painkiller.[10] The album was the last at the time to feature Halford, who later left in May 1992.[11] 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.[12] Owens recorded two albums with the band – 1997's Jugulator and 2001's Demolition – before Halford rejoined in July 2003.[13]Angel of Retribution and Nostradamus followed, before Downing left and was replaced by Richie Faulkner in April 2011.[14] The guitarist's departure was reportedly due to differences with other band members and management.[4] 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,[15] and Tipton making occasional appearances on subsequent tours.[16]
^Sneap toured with Judas Priest in place of Tipton, following his Parkinson's disease diagnosis. He was dismissed when the band announced it was going to become a quartet in 2022. After five days, Sneap was asked to come back and Judas Priest became a five-piece again.
Popoff, Martin (8 November 2007), Judas Priest: Heavy Metal Painkillers – An Illustrated History, Toronto, Ontario, Canada: ECW Press, ISBN978-1550227840
