On November 5, 2022, legendary heavy metal rockers, Judas Priest were the newest inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and they did it with style and class by inviting past members K.K. Downing [guitar] and Les Binks [drums] to join them on stage.
The band members who were inducted were Rob Halford [vocals], Glenn Tipton [guitar], Ian Hill [bass], Scott Travis [drums], Les Binks [former drummer], K.K. Downing [former guitarist], and Dave Holland [former drummer – posthumous].
After Alice Cooper’s perfect induction speech honoring the band, they performed a medley of three songs, “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” “Living After Midnight,” and “Breaking the Law” with current guitarist Richie Faulkner. Richie has been with the band since 2011 but, unfortunately, wasn’t eligible for induction. It was the first time in metal history that Judas Priest performed as a six-piece band with a three-guitar attack team!
Judas Priest is currently on tour celebrating their 50th anniversary and recently announced a new North American fall tour, The 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour; then, they will head to Europe in May 2023! Tickets for the US and European shows can be found here: judaspriest.com/tour/
Richie Faulkner has been with the band for eleven years after K.K. Downing’s departure. He has reinvigorated the band on stage as well as in the studio with the release of two of their most sonically powerful albums, Redeemer of Souls [2014] and Firepower [2018], which happens to be the Priest’s highest charting album as it peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Richie Faulkner for an in-depth discussion about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performance, navigating as a three-guitar band, and how he offered to step away from the performance, but the band wanted him on stage with them. Richie also clarifies some vagueness about what fans can expect from the next Priest album and if Glenn will play on it.
FALL 2022 U.S Tour dates:
October 13 in Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale
October 15th in Albany, NY @ MVP Arena
October 16 in Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall Fenway
October 18 in Uniondale, NY at Nassau Veterans
October 19 in Wikes Barre, PA @ Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
October 21 in Kalamazoo, MI at Wing Event Center
October 22 in Detroit, MI at Masonic Temple Theatre
October 24 in Cincinnati, OH @ The Andrew J Brady Music Center
October 25 in Waukegan, IL @ Genesee Theatre
October 27 in Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center Theater
October 29 in Moline, IL @ TaxSlayer Center Moline
October 30 in Mankato, MN @ Mayo Clinic Event Center
November 1 in Sioux City, IA @ Tyson Events Center
November 2 in Rapid City, SD @ The Monument
November 7 in Ontario, CA @ Toyota Center
November 8 in Tucson, AZ @ TCC Arena
November 10 in Loveland, CO @ Budweiser Events Center
November 12 in Park City (Wichita), KS @Hartman Arena
November 13 in St. Charles, MO @ The Family Arena
November 15 in Corbin, KY @ The Corbin Arena
November 17 in Southaven, MS @ Landers Center
November 18 in Baton Rouge, LA @ Raising Canes River Center
November 20 in Oklahoma City, OK @ Paycom Center
November 22 & 23 in San Antonio, TX @ Tech Port Center & Arena
November 25 in Dallas, TX @ The Factory in Deep Ellum
November 26 in Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street
November 28 in Edinburg, TX @ Burt Ogden Arena
November 29 in Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall
