The legendary British heavy metal band, which largely defined the sound of the 1970s and 1980s and had a great influence on the further development of the style, has been around for more than 50 years. Finally, this year Judas Priest are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Music Excellence Award, as opposed to the Standard Performers Award, in their full current lineup plus former guitarist K.K. Downing and former drummers Les Binks and the late Dave Holland. And now, for the first time since their departure in 2011, Downing and former drummer Binks have performed at the ceremony with Judas Priest.
The ceremony took place on November 5 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. A video of the performance can be viewed below. Judas Priest received the Music Excellence Award at the event, where Eminem, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, Eurythmics and Carly Simon were honored in the Music Excellence Award category.
The expanded Judas Priest lineup performed a medley of three songs: “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” “Breaking The Law” and “Living After Midnight.”
The band was inducted into the Hall of Fame by rock legend Alice Cooper, who said:
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. They are flying high tonight. Much deserved and long overdue.
