<P> The band's membership has seen much turnover, including a revolving cast of drummers in the 1970s, and the temporary departure of singer Rob Halford in the early 1990s . The current line - up consists of Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis . The band's best - selling album is 1982's Screaming for Vengeance with their most commercially successful line - up, featuring Halford, Tipton, Hill, guitarist K.K. Downing, and drummer Dave Holland . Tipton and Hill are the only two members of the band to appear on every album . </P> <P> Their influence, while mainly Halford's operatic vocal style and the twin guitar sound of Downing and Tipton, has been adopted by many bands . Their image of leather, spikes, and other taboo articles of clothing were widely influential during the glam metal era of the 1980s . The Guardian referred to British Steel as the record that defines heavy metal . Despite a decline in exposure during the mid 1990s, the band has once again seen a resurgence, including worldwide tours, being inaugural inductees into the VH1 Rock Honors in 2006, receiving a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2010, and their songs featured in video games such as Guitar Hero and the Rock Band series . </P> <P> An earlier band with a different line - up had been formed in the West Midlands area in 1969 by Al Atkins (lead vocals), Bruno Stapenhill (bass, born Brian Stapenhill, in 1948, Stone Cross, W. Bromwich), John Partridge (drums, born c. 1948, W. Bromwich), and John Perry (guitar). Perry was killed in a suicide - related car accident, according to Al Atkins, shortly after the band's formation and was subsequently replaced by Ernie Chataway . Stapenhill came up with the name Judas Priest from Bob Dylan's song "The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest" and they rehearsed at his house in Stone Cross . The band played their first gig on 25 November 1969 at The George Hotel in Walsall and then toured Scotland in December 1969 and January 1970 . The group disbanded in April 1970 after their last gig on 20 April at The Youth Centre in Cannock . </P> <P> The line - up that took over the name of Judas Priest included lead guitarist Kenny "K.K." Downing, bassist Ian' Skull' Hill and drummer John Ellis . The first two had known each other since early childhood, growing up on the Yew Tree estate in Walsall and became close friends in their early teens, when they shared similar musical interests (Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Deep Purple, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Cream, The Yardbirds) and learned to play instruments . The band was founded in October 1970 in Birmingham . They agreed to join with Atkins, who suggested using his old band's name, and rehearsed at Atkins' mother - in - law's house in Stone Cross . The reformed group played their first gig on 16 March 1971 at St John's Hall, Essington . </P>

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