When Did Rob Halford Join Judas Priest?<\/h3>\n
They struggled to get a record deal, and a frustrated Atkins left the group in 1973. But by then, Judas Priest already included guitarist K.K. Downing and bassist Ian Hill. Downing would remain with the group through 2011, while Hill became the group’s longest-tenured member before stepping away<\/a> in 2026. <\/p>\n Rob Halford<\/a> replaced Atkins and the career logjam was broken. Judas Priest signed with an indie label, then with a major. They broke into the U.K. Top 40. They went gold in the U.S. (1977’s Stained Class<\/a><\/em>), and then platinum (1980’s British Steel<\/a><\/em>) \u2013 and then multi-platinum (1982’s Screaming for Vengeance<\/a><\/em>). <\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Top 10 Judas Priest Songs<\/a><\/p>\n They ultimately earned induction<\/a> into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame<\/a>, but not before Halford spent almost a decade \u2013 and two studio albums<\/a> \u2013 away from the group helped turn into legends. Yet, somehow, they actually had a far bigger issue over the years when it came to keeping this band together. <\/p>\n As shown in the following complete guide to Judas Priest lineup changes, Judas Priest spent most of their career trying to hold onto a drummer. They had two in the first two years after settling on a name. They had three more in the first three years of the ’70s. <\/p>\n One of them, Alan Moore, returned in time for 1976’s Sad Wings of Destiny<\/a><\/em>, but soon left again. Another stayed for four years, and another for 10 years, before Judas Priest finally found one that stuck.<\/p>\n Both legacy guitarists ended up making sudden exits, though for very different reasons. See how it all unfolded through the following complete guide to Judas Priest lineup changes:<\/p>\n A chronicle of the changes Judas Priest has undergone during their reign as one of metal’s most influential and enduring bands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: UCR Staff<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Listen to K.K. Downing and Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens on the ‘UCR Podcast’<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nShould Rob Halford Have Given Solo Songs to Judas Priest?<\/h3>\n
Judas Priest Lineup Changes: A Complete Guide<\/h2>\n