Judas Priest is a rock band formed in Birmingham, England. One of the originators of heavy metal and the godfathers of speed metal & pop metal, with Rob Halford's lead vocals notable for their high-pitched screams, they also feature an innovative two-lead-guitar sound and are particularly noted for their complex guitar duets courtesy of K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton.
Judas Priest's acclaimed 1980 album British Steel was the first heavy metal album to be recorded in a concise format with radio-friendly songs with pop hooks and party tracks, thus leading to the opening of floodgates for similar other bands to taste commercial success.
In 1990, the band was involved in a civil action that alleged they were responsible for the suicide attempts in 1985 of two Nevada boys (James Vance and Ray Belknap). The plaintiffs alleged a subliminal message of "do it" had been included in the song Better by You Better Than Me (from the Stained Class album) which triggered the suicide attempt. The suit was eventually dismissed on its merits. In a television interview, they commented that if they wanted to insert subliminal commands in their music, killing their fans would be counterproductive, and they would prefer to insert the command "Buy more of our records."
Halford left the band in the 1990s and was replaced by Tim 'Ripper' Owens, who was plucked from obscurity having previously sung in a Judas Priest tribute band. These events were the inspiration for the film Rock Star, although Owens did not actually participate in the production of the movie.
Judas Priest have released fifteen studio albums to date, the first being Rocka Rolla in 1974 and the latest being Demolition in 2001.
To the delight of their fan base however, and after more than twelve years apart, Judas Priest and original lead vocalist Rob Halford announced in July 2003 that they were reunited, with a "global" live concert tour in 2004. Judas Priest and 'Ripper' Owens parted amicably by mutual agreement. 'Ripper' is now the singer of Iced Earth, a power metal band.
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, radio conglomerate Clear Channel Communications sent out of a list of 150 songs that were recommended to be pulled from airplay. Judas Priest's Some Heads Are Gonna Roll was on the list.
