Covering the Limelight in ATX: March 2022

After two years of concert cancellations, Judas Priest finally rocked the rafters at the HEB Center in Cedar Park, Texas on March 20, 2022. Judas Priest is back out on the roads of North America celebrating the anniversary of the bands founding with their 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour. The tour supports the release of their 50 Heavy Metal Years of Music anniversary box set of 42 CDs including all studio recordings as well as rare and previously unreleased live performances.

Richie Faulkner and Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

One of the concerts chosen as part of the unreleased live performances was from the Ector County Coliseum in Odessa, Texas on June 6, 1981, when this long-time fan was in attendance.

Concert T and tickets from a few Judas Priest concerts attended by this fan

Judas Priest is a British Heavy Metal band originally formed in 1969 in Birmingham, England by vocalist Al Atkins and bassist Brian Stapenhill. Over their incredible 50 years of rocking, the band has consisted of countless talented musicians.

Judas Priest

Today, Judas Priest is lead by vocalist Rob Halford. Halford originally joined the band in 1973. After leaving the group in 1992, Rob rejoined the band in 2003 and continues to lead with his powerful vocals.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

The one constant in the band is bassist Ian Hill. He joined shortly after the band's beginning in 1969 and is still rocking that bass and lending his voice to backing vocals.

Ian Hill of Judas Priest

Drummer Scott Travis joined Judas Priest in 1989. After taking a break from 1992 until 1997, Travis is back keeping the guys rocking along on each song.

Scott Travis of Judas Priest

Guitarist Richie Faulkner is back performing with Judas Priest after an incredibly scary and serious medical incident. Faulkner, who joined the band in 2011, suffered a normally fatal ruptured aortic aneurysm while performing on stage with Judas Priest at the Louder Than Life Festival in September 2021. He obviously had some excellent medical help that day because Richie doesn't seem to have any problems rocking his guitar with Judas Priest's other members today.

Richie Faulkner of Judas Priest

Guitarist Glenn Tipton joined Judas Priest in 1974 and was an integral part of the band until Parkinson's Disease took its toll on his body. Tipton has had limited touring since 2018. Fortunately for our Central Texas audience, Tipton was able to perform during the bands final 3 encore performances including the quintessential "Breaking The Law." We weren't able to capture photos of Glenn during this performance, but have included this one from a past show in 2015.

Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest

The newest member of Judas Priest is guitarist Andy Sneap who joined the band in 2018. He came onboard when Glenn Tipton was no longer able to participate in full tours.

Andy Sneap

Even though the band has been rocking for 50 years, and many of the current members are considerably older than the average touring rock musician, Judas Priest hasn't lost a beat. They still rock just as hard as the first time I heard them in concert. And Rob Halford is still hitting his signature falsetto screams while wearing his leather and studs.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

For me, the biggest difference in this year's concert was the stage setup for the night. The usual pyrotechnic display had been replaced by a big screen showing flames. The stage took on an industrial look with smoke stacks sending smoke billowing through the arena while lights flashed and the giant Judas Priest emblem lit up the crowd.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

The legendary Metal gods got the crowd's adrenaline pumping right from the start with One Shot At Glory and kept them rocking with selections of fan favorites from their extensive collection. Rob Halford's vocals were on point and he kept the audience engaged for the entire show. Rob was clad in leather and had no problem commanding the stage with his presence. As expected, Rob rode his motorcycle out on the stage during the encore performance of Hell Bent For Leather. After that, the house went dark and Rob talked about the band's incredible 50 years before introducing Glenn Tipton. Despite battling Parkinson's , Glenn was able to lead the audience in three of the band's signature numbers, Metal Gods, Breaking The Law, and Living After Midnight.

Judas Priest

Richie Faulkner of Judas Priest

Andy Sneap and Ian Hill of Judas Priest

Setlist:

One Shot At Glory

Lightning Strikes

You've Got Another Thing Comin'

Freewheel Burning

Turbo Lover

Hell Patrol

The Sentinel

A Touch of Evil

Rocka Rolla

Victim of Changes

Desert Plains

Blood Red Skies

Diamond and Rust (Joan Baez cover)

Painkiller

Encore:

The Hellion (Taped)

Electric Eye

Hell Bent For Leather (with Halford riding his motorcycle)

Metal Gods (with Glenn Tipton)

Breaking The Law (with Glenn Tipton)

Living After Midnight (with Glenn Tipton)

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

The 2 hour plus show was both nostalgic and electrifying for this long time fan of Judas Priest. The 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour continues through April 14 in the US and Canada before heading to Europe in June.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Queensryche

Opening for Judas Priest was Queensryche, an American Heavy Metal band whose members include vocalist Todd La Torre, guitarist Michael Wilton, bassist Eddie Jackson, guitarist Mike Stone, and drummer Casey Grillo.

Todd La Torre and Michael Wilton of Queensryche

Todd La Torre of Queensryche

The Washington based band kicked off the evening with explosive performances of fan favorites from their first five releases. Todd La Torre provided amazing vocals while Michael Wilton and Mike Stone added impressive guitar work. Eddie Jackson and Casey Grillo kept a tight rhythm section rocking for the entire set.