The 2022 Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame Corridor of Fame induction ceremony was particular as a result of there was lastly some heavy steel illustration: Judas Priest have been the recipients of the Musical Excellence Award.
Although Priest weren’t one of many Rock Corridor’s official Class of 2022 Inductees – which incorporates Pat Benatar, Eminem, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran and some others – the Musical Excellence Award is offered to “artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and affect creating music have had a dramatic affect on music.” As well as, that they had the chance to carry out throughout the occasion, which marked their first time taking part in with former guitarist Ok.Ok. Downing and drummer Les Binks.
You may examine – and watch – their efficiency right here.
The band was invited to the stage to just accept the award, and through his introduction, Alice Cooper known as Judas Priest the “definitive steel band.” He added (as transcribed by Blabbermouth):
They outlined the sound we all know of heavy steel and their sound is unmistakable. And what are you able to say about Rob Halford’s voice? By no means have screams lined such a spread. Is there any emotion that he cannot specific? They’re electrifying on stage and one of many hardest-hitting stay bands within the historical past of rock and roll. PRIEST has carried the flag of onerous rock and heavy steel proudly for one thing like 50 years, by no means wavering or following traits or pretending to be something however precisely what they’re. They’re flying excessive tonight. A lot deserved and lengthy overdue.
Throughout his acceptance speech, frontman Rob Halford proudly declared, “I am the homosexual man within the band” to deafening cheers. He continued:
You see, that there’s what heavy steel is all about. We name ourselves the heavy steel group, which is all-inclusive. So, it doesn’t matter what your sexual id is, what you appear to be, the colour of your pores and skin, the religion that you simply consider in or do not consider in. All people’s welcome. Individuals on the skin wanting in at heavy steel sort of have a look at us a little bit large scared. . . . We’re all concerning the energy and emotion and dedication and the love of heavy steel that we have been carrying for 50 years. . . . We should always get out one other 50 years, however the pleasure about music is that it lives eternally. And that is the rationale why we’re right here. We stay for heavy steel. We stay for music. And we’re dwelling for the Rock And Roll Corridor Of Fame.
You may see some clips of their acceptance speech under.
Throughout an interview over the summer season, Halford admitted that he initially had combined emotions concerning the award, as a result of it is not the “similar title” that the opposite inductees obtain.
“I used to be a bit pissed,” the vocalist remarked. “I simply felt a little bit bit like, ‘Properly, Sabbath received this. So why cannot we now have that?’ Not that I am jealous of Sabbath. I am simply speaking about this tag that they provide it. Why do they put these tags on the rattling factor? Why do not they go, ‘Welcome. You are within the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame’ and depart it at that.”
Nevertheless, he later famous that he is blissful they’re getting in regardless, and praised the Corridor for lastly acknowledging heavy steel once more.
Congrats to Judas Priest!
