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List of Judas Priest band members

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(left to right) K. K. Downing, Scott Travis (on drums), Tim "Ripper" Owens and Glenn Tipton (Ian Hill not shown)
(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]

History

[edit]
Rob Halford replaced original vocalist Al Atkins alongside drummer John Hinch.

Upon signing a deal with record label Gull in April 1974, Judas Priest enlisted Flying Hat Band frontman Glenn Tipton as co-lead guitarist.[6] After the release and promotion of the band's debut album Rocka Rolla, Hinch was replaced by the returning Moore.[7] The drummer performed on Sad Wings of Destiny, but left again during the sessions for its follow-up Sin After Sin, which were completed by session contributor Simon Phillips.[8] For the album's promotional tour, Les Binks was brought in on drums.[4] Binks remained for the albums Stained Class and Killing Machine, before he was replaced by former Trapeze drummer Dave Holland in August 1979.[9] This lineup proved to be the most stable to date, producing six studio albums: British Steel, Point of Entry, Screaming for Vengeance, Defenders of the Faith, Turbo and Ram It Down.[4]

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]

Members

[edit]

Current

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Judas Priest-104 (52551132657).jpg
 Ian Hill
  • 1970–present
  • bass
  • occasional backing vocals
 all Judas Priest releases
Judas Priest Retribution 2005 Tour Glenn Tipton (cropped).jpg
 Glenn Tipton
  • 1974–present (not touring full-time since 2018)
  • guitars
  • studio keyboards, piano
  • backing vocals
Judas Priest-206 (52552071848).jpg
 Rob Halford
  • 1973–1992
  • 2003–present
 lead vocals all Judas Priest releases from Rocka Rolla (1974) to Painkiller (1990), and from Angel of Retribution (2005) onwards
Judas Priest-22 (52552168693).jpg
 Scott Travis
  • 1989–present
  • drums
  • backing vocals (since 2014)
 all Judas Priest releases from Painkiller (1990) onwards
Judas Priest-156 (52552034555).jpg
 Richie Faulkner 2011–present
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
 all Judas Priest releases from Redeemer of Souls (2014) onwards

Former

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Al Atkins
  • 1969–1973
 lead vocals none
K. K. Downing.jpg
 K. K. Downing
  • 1970–2011
  • 2022 (guest)
  • guitars
  • synthesizers (1985–1992)
  • backing vocals
 all Judas Priest releases from Rocka Rolla (1974) to A Touch of Evil: Live (2009)
John Ellis 1970–1971 drums none
Alan skip moore.jpg
 Alan "Skip" Moore
  • 1971–1972
  • 1975–1977
 Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)
Chris "Congo" Campbell 1972–1973 none
John Hinch 1973–1975 (died 2021) Rocka Rolla (1974)
Simon-Phillips.jpg
 Simon Phillips 1977 Sin After Sin (1977)
Les_Binks_(cropped2).jpg
 Les Binks
  • 1977–1979
  • 2022 (guest)
Dave Holland 1979–1989 (died 2018) all Judas Priest releases from British Steel (1980) to Ram It Down (1988)
KK’s Priest - 2024214191343 2024-08-01 Wacken - Sven - 1D X MK II - 2910 - AK8I1920.jpg
 Tim "Ripper" Owens 1996–2003 lead vocals all Judas Priest releases from Jugulator (1997) to Live in London (2003)

Session and Touring

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
JeffMartin.JPG
 Jeff Martin 1985–1986 (session only) backing vocals Turbo (1986)
Deep Purple - inFinite - The Long Goodbye Tour - Barclaycard Arena Hamburg 2017 05.jpg
 Don Airey
  • 1990
  • 1999–2001
  • 2004
  • 2006–2007 (all session only)
  • keyboards
  • moogbass
Judas Priest-33 (52551914974).jpg
 Andy Sneap
  • 2018–2022
  • 2022–present[a]
  • producer
  • guitars
  • backing vocals

Early members

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments
Brian "Bruno" Stapenhill 1969–1970 bass
John Partridge drums
John Perry 1969 (until his death) guitar
Ernie Chataway 1969–1970 (died 2014)
Fred Woolley 1970 drums

Timeline

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Lineups

[edit]
Period Members Releases
September — November 1969
  • Al Atkins – lead vocals
  • John Perry – guitars
  • Bruno Stapenhill – bass
  • John Partridge – drums
 none
November 1969 – March 1970
  • Al Atkins – lead vocals
  • Ernie Chataway – guitars
  • Bruno Stapenhill – bass
  • John Partridge – drums
March — April 1970
  • Al Atkins – lead vocals
  • Ernie Chataway – guitars
  • Bruno Stapenhill – bass
  • Fred Woolley – drums
Band inactive April – October 1970
October 1970 – June 1971 none
June 1971 – June 1972
  • Al Atkins – lead vocals
  • K. K. Downing – guitars
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • Alan Moore – drums
June 1972 – May 1973
  • Al Atkins – lead vocals
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • K. K. Downing – guitars
  • Chris Campbell – drums
May 1973 – April 1974
  • Rob Halford – lead vocals
  • K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • John Hinch – drums
April 1974 — October 1975
  • Rob Halford – lead vocals
  • K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals
  • Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • John Hinch – drums
October 1975 – January 1977
  • Rob Halford – lead vocals
  • K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals
  • Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • Alan Moore – drums
January – March 1977
  • Rob Halford – lead vocals
  • K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals
  • Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • Simon Phillips – drums
March 1977 – July 1979
  • Rob Halford – lead vocals
  • K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals
  • Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • Les Binks – drums
August 1979 – October 1989
  • Rob Halford – lead vocals
  • K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals, synthesizers
  • Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • Dave Holland – drums
November 1989 – May 1992
  • Rob Halford – lead vocals
  • K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals
  • Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • Scott Travis – drums
Band inactive May 1992 – May 1996
May 1996 – July 2003
  • Tim "Ripper" Owens – lead vocals
  • K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals
  • Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • Scott Travis – drums
July 2003 – April 2011
  • Rob Halford – lead vocals
  • K. K. Downing – guitars, backing vocals
  • Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • Scott Travis – drums
April 2011 – February 2018
  • Rob Halford – lead vocals
  • Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Richie Faulkner – guitars, backing vocals
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • Scott Travis – drums, backing vocals
February 2018 – 10 January 2022
  • Rob Halford – lead vocals
  • Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals (recording and occasional live)
  • Richie Faulkner – guitars, backing vocals
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • Scott Travis – drums, backing vocals
  • Andy Sneap – guitars (touring and production)
 Firepower World Tour
10–15 January 2022
  • Rob Halford – lead vocals
  • Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals (recording)
  • Richie Faulkner – guitars, backing vocals
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • Scott Travis – drums, backing vocals
 none
15 January 2022 – present
  • Rob Halford – lead vocals
  • Glenn Tipton – guitars, backing vocals (recording and occasional live)
  • Richie Faulkner – guitars, backing vocals
  • Ian Hill – bass
  • Scott Travis – drums, backing vocals
  • Andy Sneap – guitars, backing vocals (touring and production)

References

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  1. ^ a b Rivadavia, Eduardo (6 December 2014). "Judas Priest Lineup Changes: A Complete Guide". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  2. ^ "Judas Priest early years". www.brumbeat.net. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Judas Priest's Co Founding Guitarist Ernie Chataway Dead At 62". Blabbermouth.net. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Judas Priest: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  5. ^ Popoff 2007, pp. 5–7
  6. ^ Popoff 2007, p. 8
  7. ^ Popoff 2007, p. 39
  8. ^ Popoff 2007, p. 44
  9. ^ Daniels, Neil (4 July 2008). "Obituary: Mel Galley". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  10. ^ "Norfolk native Scott Travis wins Grammy with Judas Priest". The Virginian-Pilot. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  11. ^ Daniels, Neil (7 April 2010). The Story of Judas Priest: Defenders of the Faith. London, England: Omnibus Press. p. 11. ISBN 978-0857122391. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  12. ^ Revkin, Andrew C. (27 July 1997). "A Metal-Head Becomes A Metal-God". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  13. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (14 July 2003). "Judas Priest Discuss Emotional Reunion, Leaving Ripper Owens Behind". MTV. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  14. ^ Michaels, Sean (21 April 2011). "Last rites: KK Downing quits Judas Priest just before farewell tour". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  15. ^ Snapes, Laura (12 February 2018). "Judas Priest's Glenn Tipton diagnosed with Parkinson's disease". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  16. ^ Kaufman, Spencer (31 March 2022). "Glenn Tipton on Judas Priest's 2022 tour, upcoming album, Rock Hall nomination, and more". Consequence. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  1. ^ 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.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Popoff, Martin (8 November 2007), Judas Priest: Heavy Metal Painkillers – An Illustrated History, Toronto, Ontario, Canada: ECW Press, ISBN 978-1550227840
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