That time Rob Halford told me that he admires people like Howard Stern who push buttons and rattle cages

I interviewed Rob Halford in April of 1998, six weeks after the release of Voyeurs, the album he made with his industrial-metal project Two.

That time Rob Halford told me about working with Trent Reznor on Two

I interviewed longtime Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford for the third time six weeks after the release of the Two album Voyeurs.

That time I asked Rob Halford if he thought Judas Priest fans would get into his new band, Two

At one point in the conversation I asked him Halford if thought the hardcore Judas Priest fans would be into Two's new album, Voyeurs.

That time I asked Rob Halford what he thought of Judas Priest with its new singer “Ripper” Owens

I did the third of my five interviews with Rob Halford back in April of 1998, when he was touring with his alt/industrial-metal band Two.

10 minutes on the phone with Judas Priest’s Rob Halford in 1990

Two months earlier the band made headlines worldwide when a judge dismissed a high-profile civil case in Nevada involving a suicide pact allegedly brought on by subliminal messages.

Happy birthday to Gene Simmons of Kiss, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, and Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard

Three rockers from the realms of hard rock and heavy metal, all of whom I've interviewed in the past, are celebrating birthdays today (August 25).

10 minutes on the phone with Ronnie James Dio during the Sacred Heart Tour of 1985

Last night on Crave I watched the Ronnie James Dio documentary Dio: Dreamers Never Die, about the musical career of the heavy-metal legend.

Album review: Judas Priest, Angel of Retribution (2005)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON MARCH 3, 2005 By Steve Newton Metalheads the world over have no doubt been pulling the metal-studded wristbands out of the attic in anticipation of the new Judas Priest CD, iron-lunged screamer Rob Halford's first recording with the core lineup since 1990's Painkiller. I for one have been searching around in the … Continue reading Album review: Judas Priest, Angel of Retribution (2005)

Album review: Judas Priest, Ram It Down (1988)

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 5, 1988 By Steve Newton Those of you who thought the Priest may have been mellowing out a little on its last record, Turbo--forget it. With the latest, the band's back to the freewheelin' raunch that made Defenders of the Faith such a dangerous chunk of vinyl. From the Rob Halford … Continue reading Album review: Judas Priest, Ram It Down (1988)

How the hell did Judas Priest get nominated to the Rock Hall before Iron Maiden?

By Steve Newton Earlier today I posted a blog about how incredibly lame the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is for not yet inducting Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher. But now that I've had a few more hours to seriously consider how bogus the Rock Hall is, I've got another bone to pick with … Continue reading How the hell did Judas Priest get nominated to the Rock Hall before Iron Maiden?

33 years after the Screaming for Vengeance tour, Priest still sounds pretty rockin’ to the Newt

all crappy iPhone photos by the Newt By Steve Newton The first time I ever saw Judas Priest was at Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum on the Screaming for Vengeance tour in 1982. I remember the show well because a week or two before it I did one of my earliest heavy-metal interviews, with bass player Ian Hill. … Continue reading 33 years after the Screaming for Vengeance tour, Priest still sounds pretty rockin’ to the Newt

Judas Priest’s setlist bodes well for British Steel (and Birmingham metal) in Vancouver

By Steve Newton Tonight's the night for Lower Mainland metalheads! Well, tomorrow's the night too, I suppose. Tonight and tomorrow (October 27 and 28) legendary heavy-metal act Judas Priest plays Hard Rock Casino Vancouver for what will be its first-ever non-arena Vancouver shows with singer Rob Halford at the fore. So only about a thousand folks each … Continue reading Judas Priest’s setlist bodes well for British Steel (and Birmingham metal) in Vancouver

Defender of the faith: Rob Halford only sees the good in Ozzy Osbourne’s Sabbath role

By Steve Newton When I interviewed Rob Halford in advance of Judas Priest's double-header at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver this week we got to talking about a mutual favourite subject: Black Sabbath. He's performed with the band three times, so we chatted about his fave Sabbath tune to sing ("Black Sabbath") and how Priest is currently using … Continue reading Defender of the faith: Rob Halford only sees the good in Ozzy Osbourne’s Sabbath role