10 Replacement Hard Rock Singers That NAILED It (Or Just Didn't Fit)

Judas Priest are the English rock/metal group that stylistically linked Black Sabbath with the likes of Iron Maiden and the other New Wave of British Heavy Metal Bands. They rose to prominence throughout the 1970s before really finding their style and success during the following decade.

Their sound was synonymous with that of the operatic vocals of singer Rob Halford, a talismanic frontman who really defined the bands image as he would ride on stage on a Harley Davidson, dressed head to toe in leather.

However in 1992 as the musical tide was changing Halford departed from the legacy band to pursue other musical interests, forming the heavier thrash orientated metal band Fight. In 1996 Priest announced that Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens was joining them, a singer who had previously worked in a Judas Priest tribute band named British Steel.

For Owens, this was the job of a lifetime and his rag to riches tale would inspire the Hollywood movie Rock Star released in 2001 and starring Mark Wahlberg.

‘Ripper’ would record two albums with Judas Priest as they tried to adapt to the changing music tide, attempting to tap into the popularity of modern groove and nu-metal. And although he was without question a fine singer, this period in Judas Priest’s history is just not one the fans fondly remember, having always called for a reunion with Rob Halford and eventually getting their wish in 2003.