In a recent interview with Sammy Hagar for AXS TV, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford delved into the longevity of his career from preserving his voice and going sober to the group’s continued legacy (over 50 years since the group first formed).
In a stripped-back and honest conversation with Hagar the now-73-year-old reminisced on his sobriety and how it transformed his perspective of live performances. Now admitting to drinking a hot lemon, honey and ginger drink to protect his voice during shows, he recalled his past reliance on alcohol and drugs to complete live shows. Not delving into the specifics, it can be assumed his reliance on substances can be partly a result of the rock and roll culture Judas Priest emerged within.
When discussing his drug use during shows, he reflected: “It kind of fills me with a little bit of regret and remorse. My performance as I hear it wasn’t greatly affected but mentally, I’m so happy to have left that place behind now.”
The heavy-metal legend went on reveal the experience of his first sober show with Judas Priest in New Mexico in 1986, he stated: “I was so euphoric, and I thought ‘man, I’ve been missing this for all of my life as a singer and a performer’”.
As the ‘Resurrection’ singer delves into these experiences, Judas Priest are gearing up for their forthcoming UK and European tour – the Shield of Pain Tour, celebrating 35 years of their 12th studio album, ‘Painkiller’, and the release of their 2024 album ‘Invincible Shield’. The tour will feature two shows in the UK during July, including a show at Scarborough’s Open Air Theatre and one at London’s prestigious O2 Arena.
Friday 25th July 2025 @ London, The O2https://t.co/sf2LWBWz7s pic.twitter.com/f4Gg3xGXmb
— Judas Priest (@judaspriest) December 9, 2024
Hagar also asked the frontman about one of Judas Priest’s biggest albums, ‘British Steel’. The LP released in 1980, peaked at number 4 on the UK Official Albums Chart. Featuring some of their biggest hits ‘Breaking the Law’ and ‘Living After Midnight’, the album established the band as figureheads of modern heavy metal, a status which runs deep within their discography.
Halford suggested the group were unaware of the prominence of the LP during ‘British Steel’’s curation, however, he recalled the ease of constructing the record, confirming “the whole thing wrote itself”.
With no plans of retiring on the horizon, Halford highlighted Judas Priest’s means of creating a long and lasting legacy, which they plan to live up to on their upcoming tour. He said: “We’re having a good time and keep it simple and give people good memories. Our music will be living a long time after we’ve gone. And isn’t that the most beautiful thing you can imagine?”
As Halford remains as ready as ever for Judas Priest’s upcoming tour, fans can get tickets here.
