In 2022, Judas Priest was finally given its long-overdue flowers with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It wasn’t just a celebration of blistering guitar solos and Rob Halford’s legendary 8-octave voice—it was a night that paid tribute to perseverance, brotherhood, and authenticity.
Photo Credit: @robhalfordlegacy
Frontman Rob Halford took the stage alongside original guitarist K.K. Downing and former drummer Les Binks. Glenn Tipton, who has bravely battled Parkinson’s disease for years, joined for a one-night-only Priest superjam. They honored their late drummer Dave Holland, who passed away in 2018. It was a heavy metal reunion for the ages.
But the night’s most unforgettable moment came when Halford stepped forward, leather-clad and beaming with pride.
“I’m the gay guy in the band,” he declared. “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.”
Photo Credit: @robhalfordlegacy
It was a triumphant full-circle moment for Halford, who came out in 1998 after decades of living in the shadows of a music scene often cloaked in hypermasculinity. His revelation wasn’t planned—it happened spontaneously during a 1998 MTV interview. But in that moment, he changed the face of metal forever.
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“I released myself from my fucking heavy metal prison,” Halford told The Guardian. “Any gay person that has the right time in their life to step forward and let their identity be what it is… it’s unbelievable, the elation. Firstly, you set yourself free. Secondly, all the ammunition and innuendoes, they evaporate.”
Now, more than 25 years later, Rob Halford continues to embody everything that makes metal matter—power, grit, rebellion, and truth. His voice still shakes arenas, but his openness has rocked hearts in equal measure. And proud and loud he remains.
Photo Credit: @robhalfordlegacy
Judas Priest is currently on tour, bringing their timeless classics and brand new tracks from their latest album Invincible Shield to stages across the globe. Catch them at:
European Dates:
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Jul 2, 2025 – Ferrara, Italy (Ferrara Summer Festival)
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Jul 3, 2025 – Zürich, Switzerland (Hallenstadion)
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Jul 5, 2025 – Hannover, Germany
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Jul 7, 2025 – Łódź, Poland
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Jul 10, 2025 – Rättvik, Sweden
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Jul 13, 2025 – München, Germany
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Jul 15, 2025 – Carcassonne, France
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Jul 17, 2025 – Sion, Switzerland
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Jul 19, 2025 – Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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Jul 20, 2025 – Oberhausen, Germany
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Jul 23, 2025 – Scarborough, UK
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Jul 25, 2025 – London, UK (The O2)
North American Dates:
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Sep 16 – Biloxi, MS
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Sep 18 – Alpharetta, GA
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Sep 20 – Charlotte, NC
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Sep 21 – Franklin, TN
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Sep 23 – Bridgeport, CT
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Sep 24 – Virginia Beach, VA
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Sep 26 – Holmdel, NJ
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Sep 27 – Saratoga Springs, NY
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Sep 29 – Toronto, ON
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Oct 1 – Burgettstown, PA
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Oct 2 – Clarkston, MI
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Oct 4 – Cincinnati, OH
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Oct 5 – Tinley Park, IL
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Oct 8 – Wichita, KS
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Oct 10 – Colorado Springs, CO
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Oct 12 – West Valley City, UT
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Oct 14 – Mountain View, CA
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Oct 15 – Wheatland, CA
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Oct 18 – Chula Vista, CA
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Oct 19 – Inglewood, CA
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Oct 22 – Phoenix, AZ
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Oct 23 – Albuquerque, NM
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Oct 25 – Austin, TX
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Oct 26 – Houston, TX
Whether he’s performing in front of thousands or speaking openly about LGBTQ+ visibility, Halford stands tall as a pioneer. “The world is a much better place now, thank God,” he says, “but we’ve still got homophobia, racism and these stupid parts of humanity that drive us nuts. You’ve really got to face it head on, so please come out, wherever you are! Proud and loud.”
Photo Credit: @robhalfordlegacy
From Birmingham to the Rock Hall, from hiding to headlining, Rob Halford reminds us that being unapologetically yourself is the most metal thing you can do.
And with Invincible Shield blasting and fists raised high, one thing’s for sure—Judas Priest isn’t just back. They never left.
REFERENCE: The Guardian