Judas Priest is a heavy metal band currently composed of members Rob Halford as head vocalist, Glenn Tipton as guitarist, K.K. Downing as second guitarist, Ian Hill as bassist and Scott Travis on drums.
The band was formed in 1969 in Birmingham, England. The first studio album for Judas Priest was released in September of 1974 with the title of Rocka Rolla.
Subsequent to their first studio album release, Judas Priest has recorded fifteen additional albums, the latest being Nostradamus, which was released in 2008. Judas Priest won their first, and as of yet, only Grammy award at the 2010 Grammy Awards in the category of Best Metal Performance.http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=52570
Band Logo and Imagery
The distinctive Judas Priest logo was first used on their second studio album, Sad Wings of Destiny, in 1976. It was designed by John Pasche who worked as a graphic designer for the band's then label, Gull Records. The design was an adaptation of a gothic style utilized by the band as early as 1972.http://www.kkdowning.net/SpecialReports/logohistory.html
The Judas Priest cross which is also used frequently in the branding imagery of the band was created by painter Patrick Woodroffe.http://www.kkdowning.net/SpecialReports/logohistory.html
Influence on Heavy Metal
Judas Priest is often cited as being uniquely influential in the development of the genre of heavy metal; with their influence present from the development of its sound to the fashion worn by other heavy metal bands. MTV.com has named Judas Priest number two, second to Black Sabbath, in its list of important heavy metal bands.http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/metal/greatest_metal_bands/071406/index3.jhtml
Rob Halford Comes Out
In 1998, lead vocalist for Judas Priest, Rob Halford, full name Robert John Arthut Halford, publicly admitted that he is a homosexual. Halford's official statement issued to MTV was, "I think that most people know that I've been a gay man all of my life, and it's only been in recent times it's an issue that I feel comfortable to address something that I feel has a moment, and this is the moment to discuss it." http://www.spinner.com/2008/05/05/rockin-gay-moments-rob-halford/
Judas Priest Wins First Grammy
Judas Priest won their first Grammy Award in 2010. First formed in 1969 and their first studio album released in 1974, Judas Priest had been nominated five times for a Grammy award, but have only won once. In this video you can see clips of Rob Halford during the post-award press conference backstage at the 2010 Grammy Awards.
References
Fast Facts
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Formed
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Origin
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Genre
Heavy metal
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Members
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Website
www.judaspriest.com
