\n<\/p>\n
Former Judas Priest<\/a> guitarist K.K. Downing<\/a> recalled the band\u2019s biggest Spinal Tap<\/a> style story, describing it as a \u201chorrible\u201d moment.<\/p>\n It took place during the Operation Rock & Roll North American tour of 1991, which also featured Alice Cooper<\/a>, Motorhead<\/a>, Dangerous Toys and Metal Church.<\/p>\n At the final stop on Aug. 19 in Toronto, Priest \u2013 who were supporting the release of their Painkiller<\/em><\/a> album \u2013 had to delay their performance after singer Rob Halford<\/a> fell off his motorcycle as he appeared on stage, and suffered heavy injuries. They eventually did play their set, and it proved to be their last for 14 years with Halford.<\/p>\n You can see video of the incident below<\/p>\n Watch Rob Halford Fall Off His Motorcycle<\/strong><\/p>\n READ MORE:\u00a0<\/strong>Judas Priest Without Classic Members? \u2018Nobody Is Irreplaceable\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThat was a horrible moment, really,\u201d Downing told BraveWords<\/a> in a recent interview. \u201cIt\u2019s a big outdoor venue. And from the stage to the dressing rooms it was a car ride. [W]e couldn\u2019t find the car keys to start off, and we were late getting in the car.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd so\u2026 they started the intro tape when we were still driving to the stage. \u2026 [W]e didn\u2019t get to the stage in time.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued: \u201c[A] set of stairs in the middle of the stage [were meant to] kind of rise up, and then Rob [was to] ride the motorbike out onto the stage. But the stairs didn\u2019t go high enough, and Rob drove out and collided with the stairs and knocked himself out.<\/p>\n \u201cBy this time we got the guitars, we went on stage, but there was dry ice and smoke\u2026 we didn\u2019t know Rob was on the stage, because he was flat out. So we played the first song without any vocals!\u201d<\/p>\n The band didn\u2019t know it at the time, but Halford would soon quit<\/a> to concentrate on a solo career, before returning<\/a> in 2003. He\u2019s always maintained that the stage injury was nothing to do with his departure.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an absolute Spinal Tap moment,\u201d Downing accepted. \u201cTo Rob\u2019s credit, he just picked himself up and dusted himself off and performed. And that was the last gig for 14 years with Rob.\u201d<\/p>\n While Painkiller<\/em> has become revered as a groundbreaking moment in metal history, Downing revealed that the band had been disappointed over its reception when it arrived.<\/p>\n \u201c[T]hat album was not as successful as we would have liked it to have been, straight away,\u201d he said. \u201cI think [it] was probably a bit of a stretch for a lot of traditional Priest fans.<\/p>\n \u201cBut there was a transitional period in metal that was between Painkiller and everything\u2026 Pantera<\/a>, Megadeth<\/a>, and so many other bands. \u2026 There were so many new metals coming on \u2013 death metal, speed, metal, industrial metal \u2013 so many alternative metal styles that made Painkiller almost seem a touch too light for a lot of the new metal fans.<\/p>\n \u201cBut as time went on, obviously the Painkiller<\/em> album became very much revered\u2026 We always say when you release an album\u2026 nine times out of 10 it\u2019s going to be a bit too soon or a bit too late.<\/p>\n \u201c[A]nd when did Judas Priest get a record that was exactly right for the time? Maybe British Steel<\/em><\/a>?\u201d<\/p>\n Gallery Credit: Nick DeRiso<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhy Painkiller Disappointed Judas Priest At First<\/h3>\n
Bands With No Original Members<\/h2>\n