Judas Priest on the Series finale of American Idol

Heavy Metal legends Judas Priest performed last night on the Series finale of American Idol. The Metal gods performed Judas Priest classics "Living After Midnight" and "Breaking the Law", alongside James Durbin (who finished fourth in the competition). While some out there might think that this is a disgrace for Heavy Music, the reality is that we should all be proud to see some of the ambassadors of the music we love, represent all of us in front of millions of people all across the world.

Some other Heavy Music icons that have been on national TV are:

- Zakk Wylde: American Idol
- Chris Jericho: Dancins with the Stars
- Ozzy Osbourne: The Osbournes
- Gene Simmons: Family Jewels
- Ted Nugent, Sebastian Bach, Jason Bonham and Scott Ian: Supergroup
- Evan Seinfeld: OZ and Supergroup
- Dee Snider and Jamey Jasta: Headbangers Ball

We think its time for all Heavy Music fans to start embracing such triumphs. Think about it, we are exposing our outcast music to millions of eyeballs, and by no means does this mean that the genre will become "mainstream". The other factor here is that American Idol is a great way for artists to promote their upcoming releases and tours, specially in times when most people are not investing money into the music industry by purchasing music, artist merchandise, or by going to concerts. Judas Priest announced their farewell tour last December (click here for dates), so it makes sense for them to be out there promoting themselves.

Here is Judas Priest on American Idol:



Related links:
Judas Priest's Official Site

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Judas Priest announce North American Tour

The mighty Judas Priest announced last December that they would call it a day after the completion of their "Epitaph World Tour", which should run until 2012. In an interview earlier this year, Heavy Metal icon Rob Halford confirmed this news:

"I think it's time, you know. We're not the first band to say farewell, it's just the way everyone comes to at some point and we're gonna say a few more things early next year, so I think the main thing that we just want to ask everybody to consider is don't be sad about this, start celebrating and rejoicing over all the great things we've done in Judas Priest."

Judas Priest will be joined this Fall by Thin Lizzy and Black Label Society for a short North American tour. The tour which was announced during a press conferences at the Renaissance Hotel in Los Angeles, will get jump started on October 12 in San Antonio, Texas and will conclude on November 18 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Here are the confirmed tour-dates:

- Oct. 12 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
- Oct. 14 – Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street Ampitheater
- Oct. 15 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
- Oct. 16 – Dallas, TX – Allen Event Center
- Oct. 18 – Tucson, AZ – Ava Ampitheater
- Oct. 19 – San Diego, CA – Cricket Wireless Ampitheater
- Oct. 21 – Phoenix, AZ – AZ State Fair
- Oct. 22 – San Bernardino, CA – San Manuel Ampitheater
- Oct. 23 – Las Vegas, NV – Hard Rock
- Oct. 25 – Los Angeles, CA – Gibson Ampitheater
- Oct. 26 – Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena
- Oct. 29 – Seattle, WA – WaMu Theater
- Oct. 30 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
- Nov. 01 – Edmonton, AB – Shaw Conference Center
- Nov. 02 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
- Nov. 04 – Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center
- Nov. 05 – Denver, CO – 1st Bank Center
- Nov. 12 – Chicago, IL – The Venue At Horeshoe Casino
- Nov. 13 – Detroit, MI – Joe Louis Arena
- Nov. 18 – East Rutherford, NJ – Izod Center





Related links:
Judas Priest's Official Site

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K.K. Downing Quits Judas Priest

K.K. Downing has decided to leave Judas Priest and not be part of the band's final touring cycle. As we all know, K.K. is a vital part of Judas Priest and this is a huge blow for the millions of fans all over the world. Here is his Official press release:

Dear friends,

It is with much regret that I will not be with you this summer. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your concerns about my health. Please rest assured that I am O.K.

There has been an ongoing breakdown in working relationship between myself, elements of the band, and the band's management for some time.

Therefore I have decided to step down rather then to tour with negative sentiments as I feel that this would be a deception to you, our cherished fans.

However I would urge you to please support the Priest as I have no doubt that it will be a show not to be missed.

All my love and respect,

K.K. Downing


This is what Rob Halford had to say about K.K.'s decision:

"K.K. leaving was his own decision, for the reasons he made public on his web site earlier today. We had a fantastic time together on the "Nostradamus" tour... But K.K. has his own life to live and we can't force him to do anything he doesn't want to do. He told us of his decision to leave Judas Priest before Christmas time. Personally, I thought this could be the end... Emotionally, for me, it's been very, very difficult... When K.K. said he was thinking of retiring, Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest guitarist) was the first guy to send him a personal email to say: "Ken, I hope you're O.K. If there's anything you need, just let me know." We kept the door open all this time in case Ken changed his mind, but the clock was ticking."



Related links:
Judas Priest's Official Site
K.K. Downing's Official Site

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