Rob Halford is one of the most important, well-known, and influential individuals in metal history. And he is still going strong at the age of 58. Best known for his work with Judas Priest, Halford sang some of the most anthemic songs in metal. Halford has a nearly four octave vocal range, pretty impressive for a metal singer. Halford has been involved in a few different bands during his career, none of whom can touch Priest in importance, but many of which were very good nonetheless. I decided today to touch on one of my favorite metal singer/songwriters.
JUDAS PRIEST
Halford joined Judas Priest in time to appear on the band's full length debut album Rocka Rolla. Priest at that time had not quite found their trademarked steel factory-esque sound. The band was more of a progressive hard rock/metal band. This sound continued for a few more albums, occasionally touching on the sound that would make them famous.
In 1980, British Steel was released, the album that cemented Priest as metal royalty, featuring the hugely popular "Breaking the Law". Halford provided a voice and a look to heavy metal. Halford started dressing in all leather and studs, a look borrowed from the gay culture in England in the 1970's. This look caught on and became something of a uniform for metal bands. Halford was in actuality a gay man, so this look was not horribly surprising, but the fact that ultra hetero bands and fans caught on was a bit amusing and ironic.
Priest released a few more straight-ahead metal albums over the years before incorporating the use of synthesizers to pander to the glam metal crowd. The band had become a little more boring. Their legal issues were more interesting than their music. The band became embroiled in a lawsuit claiming use of subliminal messages after two young men shot themselves using a 12 gauge shotgun. One of the men survived temporarily with a grossly disfigured face. The Plaintiffs claimed that the band inserted subliminal messages of "do it" into their cover of Spooky Tooth's "Better By You, Better Than Me." The trial lasted over a month and the band was eventually exonerated when it was dismissed.
Painkiller was released around the same time as the trial and featured an immense improvement musically. The band had become extremely powerful and created one of the most important speed metal albums of all time. Still, it was not enough to keep the band together and Halford quit after the tour. Priest hired former Priest cover band singer Ripper Owens to replace Halford. "The Ripper" is the name of an early Priest song.
FIGHT
Halford formed Fight after leaving Judas Priest. Fight was more of a heavier groove/thrash metal band. The music was not as fast as later Priest albums but was more aggressive and heavier on the first album. This was a fairy modest success. However, the band's next album went for more of a grunge sound and was not nearly as successful. Fight also released an EP at this time featuring live tracks and techno-like remixes.
2WO
After Fight disbanded, Halford formed a gothic-industrial group called 2wo, produced by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. An utter failure on every level, Halford abandoned the project after one album.
HALFORD
Halford then created a new band named after himself which saw a return to heavy metal. Halford was trying to recapture the spirit of the Painkiller album with this band. Fans flocked back to Halford and began talking about the possibility of a Judas Priest reunion. Halford satiated some of that talk with two strong albums.
JUDAS PRIEST
Sure enough, Halford returned to Judas Priest and released a new album in 2005. Priest was rejuvenated thanks to the return of its most popular singer. Their 2005 album was one of their best in years. Afterwards, the band announced they would be releasing a double album featuring an orchestra and an overall concept centered around Nostradamus. The band had not done anything like it before. Unfortunately, the album was not a great success. Currently the band is still together.
Other Work
Halford has recorded Black Sabbath's "The Wizard" with Geezer Butler and Bill Ward of Black Sabbath, Wino, Fight guitarist Brian Tilse, and Jimmy Wood on harmonica for the first Nativity in Black tribute album. Halford also fronted Black Sabbath for a few shows.
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