After years of making Judas Priest's case for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rob Halford can't wait to take the stage for his band's induction ceremony next month.
Speaking recently with Q104.3 New York Out of the Box with Jonathan Clarke, Halford said Priest's live performance was still coming together, and he admitted he might just improvise his speech so he had one less thing to plan.
Beyond the Rock Hall festivities, Judas Priest is on tour in North America and Halford is promoting his new book, Biblical, out November 1. It's a lot to have on your plate at one time, but Halford says that's part of what makes a night like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction so exciting.
"I'm just thrilled that all of this extraordinary variety of musical talent is going to presented and performing on that night," he said.
Judas Priest will be given this year's Musical Excellence Award. The Metal Gods will be entering the Rock Hall alongside Duran Duran, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Carly Simon, Eurythmics, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie and Jimmy Iovine.
As important as Judas Priest's Rock Hall recognition is for heavy metal, Halford notes that the female artists entering the hall this year are all "trailblazers" too.
"I love it when the ladies come through, you know?" he added. "I'm a massive Carly Simon fan. ... What Pat was doing as a rock musician, she was one of those game-changing artists, much like Annie [Lennox, Eurythmics]. ...It's going to be a great night. I've got to have my selfie with Dolly, which I'm looking forward to. She's going to light up the room."
Judas Priest's Rock Hall honors come as Halford releases his second book, Biblical: Rob Halford's Heavy Metal Scriptures. The follow-up to his 2020 memoir, Biblical, dives more deeply into the ins and outs of a career in music.
Part encyclopedia, part manifesto, the tome is full of Halford's opinions, memories and anecdotes about the unavoidable highlights and pitfalls of life in a band — a worthy read for any current or future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
Go here for more information on Biblical.
Keep up with Rob Halford on social media here.
And don't miss Judas Priest on tour this fall. Go here for the live dates.
1 of 2 Photo: Getty Images North America
2 of 2
Here's the official music video for Judas Priest's "Breaking the Law":