For the past five decades, Judas Priest have epitomized the look and sound of classic NWOBHM. Central to that equation is vocalist Rob Halford. He established the leather-clad, heavy-metal-biker look, and Judas Priest shows were — and are still to this day — extravagant affairs that included the frontman riding his Harley-Davidson across the stage. Renowned rock photographer Ross Halfin has been shooting the band since the late Seventies as they emerged from U.K. favorites to worldwide metal superstars.
In Revolver’s Dec/Jan issue, we featured a collection of Halfin’s iconic shots of classic-era Judas Priest: titled Leather, Whips and Motorcycles. See those shots below, and witness the mighty Priest in person as they embark on a new tour for their eighteenth album, Firepower.
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(from left) Dave Holland, Rob Halford, K.K. Downing, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill, Chicago, 1979. “This was on the Hell Bent for Leather tour,” says Ross Halfin. “It was a very hot day. The band had to wear leather, so they bought popsicles to cool down.”
photograph by Ross Halfin
Halford, Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, May 1979
photograph by Ross Halfin
K.K. Downing, Monsters of Rock Festival, Castle Donington, Derbyshire, England, August 16th, 1980
photograph by Ross Halfin
(from left) Tipton, Downing and Halford, Hammersmith Odeon, London, May 1979
photograph by Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
Downing, Halford and Michael Schenker, Monsters of Rock Festival, Derbyshire, England, August 16th, 1980
photograph by Ross Halfin
Halford outside Judas Priest’s hotel, Chicago, Illinois, September 22nd, 1979
photograph by Ross Halfin
Judas Priest onstage at Monsters of Rock Festival, Derbyshire, England, August 16th, 1980
photograph by Ross Halfin
Halford outside his home, West Midlands, England, circa 1980
photograph by Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
Judas Priest during rehearsals for World Vengeance Tour, Brixton Academy, London, 1983
photograph by Ross Halfin
Halford at the beach outside Rock in Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 23rd, 1991
photograph by Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
Below, watch Halford break down the message of resistance behind Judas Priest’s “Lightning Strike,” from their new album, Firepower.
