JUDAS PRIEST performed with guitarist K.K. Downing and drummer Les Binks at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony Saturday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles
The iconic metal band received the Musical Excellence Award at the event, with JUDAS PRIEST members Rob Halford (vocals), Ian Hill (bass), Glenn Tipton (guitar) and Scott Travis (drums), along with former members Downing, Binks and late drummer Dave Holland, being inducted into the institution.
Halford, Hill, Tipton and Travis took the stage with Binks, Downing and current PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner for a three-song medley made up of the classic songs “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin‘”, “Breaking The Law” and “Living After Midnight“.
JUDAS PRIEST were inducted into the Rock Hall by Alice Cooper, who described them as “the definitive metal band.” He added: “They defined the sound we know of heavy metal and their sound is unmistakable. And what can you say about Rob Halford‘s voice? Never have screams covered such a range. Is there any emotion that he can’t express?
“They’re electrifying on stage and one of the hardest-hitting live bands in the history of rock and roll. PRIEST has carried the flag of hard rock and heavy metal proudly for something like 50 years, never wavering or following trends or pretending to be anything but exactly what they are,” Cooper said. “They are flying high tonight. Much deserved and long overdue.”
During the acceptance speech, Rob Halford told the audience: “I’m the gay guy in the band. We call ourselves the heavy metal community which is all-inclusive, no matter what your sexual identity is, what you look like, or what you believe in or don’t believe in. Everybody’s welcome.”
Halford also touched on the band’s 50 years in existence, saying: “We should get out another 50 years, but the joy about music is that it lives forever. And that’s the reason why we’re here. We live for heavy metal. We live for music. And we’re living for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.”