11 Facts You May or May Not Know About Ian Hill

For most if not all Judas Priest fans, the name Ian Hill is well known. The fans know him as not only the band's bass player, but also one of the founding members, along with former guitarist K.K. Downing. But there may be some items or facts you may or may not know about this founding member of one of metal's best known bands.

1. He is one of the founding members of Judas Priest

-Along with former guitarist K.K. Downing, he was one of the members present through its various changes in lineup and he was also there at the beginning, to form the band we know and love today. His unique bass lines, deep and powerful, remain a strong part of the Judas Priest sound we know and love

2. He's been with the band for over 50 years

-This band has been around for over 50 years. he is the one member of the band with the highest seniority. He's played an important role of keeping the band going through thick and thin. With his dedication to the band, he's earned the respect of not only fans, but fellow musicians

3. He has an electric stage presence

-He seems to have a strongly commanding presence onstage, sending out bass riffs like sonic booms to the audience. He's able to connect with the crowd and deliver performances that are unforgettable

4. Chris Squire of Yes and Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath influenced Ian Hill

-When he was younger, Ian Hill was inspired by people like Black Sabbath bassist Terence "Geezer" Butler and Yes bassist Chris Squire. Their unique playing styles and strong melodic lines influenced Hill to develop his own unique method of playing bass, and thus, helped him develop his own sound

5. His bass lines are a trademark of Judas Priest's songs

-The bass lines he plays are an integral part of any Judas Priest song. For example, listen to the thunderous bass lines in "Painkiller" or the driving bass line in "Breaking the Law".

6. He's collaborated with various artists over the years

-Besides working with Judas Priest, Ian Hill has worked on other projects over the years. He explores different genres and shows he has talent beyond just heavy metal

7. His passion for motorcycles is well documented

-His other love, besides music, is motorcycles. He's an avid motorcycle rider and enthusiast. He's usually seen riding one around, and he even incorporated one into being used as a part of Judas Priest concerts

8. His dedication to his music and bandmates has never disappeared

-He's dedicated to not only his bandmates, but the music. Throughout the ups and downs Priest has suffered, he's remained vigilant and dedicated to his craft. His dedication is the reason for the band's longevity

9. His nickname is "Skullcrusher"

-He earned this unusual moniker for his devasting stage presence and thundering bass lines. This nickname was set early in his career because of his ability to deliver bass lines that can rattle fans to the bones and leave a lasting impression on all those who attend a Judas Priest show

10. His bass lines have precision and groove to them

-He's known for impeccable timing, precision and groove to his bass playing. He's able to lock in tight with the rhythm section and add thunderous layers to an already devastating auditory assault that is heavy metal music

11. He continues to inspire new generations of bass players

-He inspires people all over the world to pick up a bass guitar and start playing. His unique style of playing and his dedication to music will inspire generations of new bass players

January birthdays

 Since it's January, it's time to say Happy Birthday!

Peter Steele

-Birth name: Petrus Thomas Ratajczyk

-DOB: 1/4/1962

-Where: Brooklyn, New York

-DOD: 4/14/2010

-Where: New York City, New York (heart failure)

-He was incredibly self-conscious about his height. Being 6'8'', he often sat down in photos with the band or had the photos taken at an angle where people couldn't tell how tall he was or how much he towered over his band mates

Paul Stanley

-Birth name: Stanley Bert Eisen

-DOB: 1/20/1952

-Where: Queens, New York

-He's a fan of classical opera

Ian Hill

-Birth name: Ian Frank Hill

-DOB: 1/20/1952

-Where: Birmingham, England

-Joined the band Judas Priest that guitarist K.K. Downing and then vocalist Al Atkins had formed

Janick Gers

-Birth name: Janick Robert Gers

-DOB: 1/27/1957

-Where: Hartlepool, England

-His father, Boleslaw Gers, was in the Polish Navy

Richie Faulkner

-Birth name: Richard Ian Faulkner

-DOB: 1/1/1980

-Where: London, England

-Played guitar for hard rock singer Lauren Harris' backing band prior to joining Judas Priest

Rod Stewart
-Birth name: Roderick David Stewart
-DOB: 1/10/1945
-Where: Highgate, London, England

-Despite having English in his heritage on his mother's side, he also has Scottish heritage on his dad's side and considers himself a Scotsman and supports Glasgow Celtic FC

Jimmy Page

-Birth name: James Patrick Page

-DOB: 1/9/1944

-Where: Heston, Middlesex, England

-His trademark instrument is a Gibson Les Paul

David Bowie

-Birth name: David Robert Haywood Jones

-DOB: 1/8/1947

-Where: Brixton, London, England

-DOD: 1/10/2016

-Where: Manhattan, New York City, New York (liver cancer)

-He has what looks like two different colored eyes as a result of getting punched in the face by a friend when he was 15

James May

-Birth name: James Daniel May

-DOB: 1/16/1963

-Where: Bristol, England

-He plays flute, piano and saxophone quite well

Georgia May Jagger

-Birth name: Georgia May Ayeesha Jagger

-DOB: 1/12/1992

-Where: London, England

-Her sister, Elizabeth Jagger, is also a model

Rowan Atkinson

-Birth name: Rowan Sebastian Atkinson

-DOB: 1/6/1955

-Where: Consett, County Durham, England

-Has degrees in electrical engineering from Newcastle University and Oxford University

Kate Middleton

-DOB: 1/9/1982

-Where: Reading, Berkshire, England

-Is a distant relative of actress Dakota Fanning and her sister Elle Fanning

Malcolm Young

-Birth name: Malcolm Mitchell Young

-DOB: 1/6/1953

-Where: Glasgow, Scotland

-DOD: 11/18/2017

-Where: Elizabeth Bay, Australia

-He died four weeks after his brother George Young

Phil Collins

-Birth name: Phillip David Charles Collins

-DOB: 1/30/1951

-Where: Chiswick, London, England

-He started playing drums at age 5

John Paul Jones

-Birth name: John Richard Baldwin

-DOB: 1/3/1946

-Where: Sidcup, Kent, England

-Before and after being in Led Zeppelin, he worked as a studio manager and arranger

OH PLEASE OH PLEASE LET THIS HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ian Hill, bassist of Judas Priest, wants to do a co-headline tour with "rivals" Iron Maiden!

That's right. You read it right!! According to noted metal music site Loudwire, it's being considered that metal legends Iron Maiden and Judas Priest might do a co-headline tour.

In the early 1980s, Iron Maiden was still in opening band status. They often opened for then big band Judas Priest. Things got off to a rocky start when then Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno announced "they would blow the bollocks off Judas Priest". Eventually, both bands came to terms with the issue and now are the best of friends while also being the two biggest names in metal. The whole idea of Priest and Maiden touring TOGETHER would be something out of the best dreams of most metal fans.

During an interview with Audio Ink Radio, Priest bassist Ian Hill had this to say. "There’s always the big question of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. That would be really interesting if we could get that together before some of us die. It’d be great! You run into these people over the years. We’ve played with quite a few of them, but we’ve got to get together with Iron Maiden."

Maiden's first outing with Priest was in 1980. Priest was out touring British Steel while Maiden was out touring as "opening band" for their debut album Iron Maiden. The opening band had, once again, played opening band to Priest again in 1981 as Priest was touring Point of Entry and Maiden touring Killers. The tour was dubbed the World Wide Blitz. To get back to the current day, Judas Priest is still touring their Firepower album while Maiden is embarking on their Legacy of the Beast tour. The Firepower tour is the first Judas Priest tour to not feature guitarist Glenn Tipton, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease a few years prior. To play in Tipton's spot is famed producer and musician Andy Sneap, who is known for working with bands like Dimmu Borgir and Amon Amarth.

During an interview with The Void with Christina, Sneap had this to say. "I'm just filling in, really. They asked me to help out, so it was a case of jumping in and doing what I could do. I'd had a year in the studio with them — I was doing Accept and Saxon at the same time — so it's been good for me to step away from the studio, because mentally, I was getting a little bit burnt with that, if I'm honest. To be able to step back and still do something this size and musical has been great. Where it's going to go? I've got no idea. We haven't even discussed it. It's been, 'Andy, can you do this tour? Can you help us out here?' That's fine."

Judas Priest Bassist Ian Hill Wants to Tour with Iron Maiden

If this happens, which will make all my metal concert dreams come true, me and my sister shall be there. Oh yes, we shall be there!!

During the 1980s, Judas Priest were on the rise as one of metal's premier names. Iron Maiden were certainly on their way up as well, going from the punk-y sound of Paul Di'Anno to the more sweeping vocal acrobatics of Bruce Dickinson. Iron Maiden were one of the most frequent opening acts for Priest and even though the relationship between the two bands started out rocky and jagged, no doubt years later the bands would become best friends with each other. Priest bassist Ian Hill has hopes that the two bands can tour together while the members are alive and still able to.

"There’s always the big question of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. That would be really interesting if we could get that together before some of us die. It’d be great! You run into these people over the years. We’ve played with quite a few of them, but we’ve got to get together with Iron Maiden." Ian told Audio Ink Radio in an interview.

Iron Maiden's first time with Priest was in 1980 when Priest was touring British Steel and Maiden was touring their self-titled debut album. A year later, Priest had, once again, selected the London metallers Iron Maiden to open for them. Priest was touring Point of Entry while Maiden was touring Killers, the last album to feature vocalist Paul Di'Anno. For the time being, both bands are sweeping across the world on their own tours. Judas Priest is continuing their Firepower tour while Iron Maiden is on the North American leg of their Legacy of the Beast tour.

For Priest, this is the first time that the band has toured without longtime guitarist Glenn Tipton. Glenn has been fighting with his diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease and to fill the shoes he left, producer Andy Sneap stepped in. In an interview with The Void with Christina, Andy said "I'm just filling in, really. They asked me to help out, so it was a case of jumping in and doing what I could do. I'd had a year in the studio with them — I was doing Accept and Saxon at the same time — so it's been good for me to step away from the studio, because mentally, I was getting a little bit burnt with that, if I'm honest. To be able to step back and still do something this size and musical has been great. Where it's going to go? I've got no idea. We haven't even discussed it. It's been, 'Andy, can you do this tour? Can you help us out here?' That's fine."

January Birthdays

Since it's January, time to say Happy Birthday!!

Janick Gers

-Birth name: Janick Robert Gers

-DOB: 1/27/1957

-Where: Hartlepool, England

-His father was a member of the Polish Navy while his mother was from England

Ian Hill

-Birth name: Ian Frank Hill

-DOB: 1/20/1951

-Where: West Bromwich, England

-He was married to Sue Halford, who told Ian to check out her brother Rob as a prospective singer for Judas Priest

Richie Faulkner

-Birth name: Richard Ian Faulkner

-DOB: 1/1/1980

-Where: London, England

-Played guitar for Lauren Harris before joining Judas Priest

Paul Stanley

-Birth name: Stanley Bert Eisen

-DOB: 1/20/1952

-Where: Manhattan, New York

-Was born with a rare condition called microtia. It is a condition affecting the development of the ears. He was born with a severe case of it, leaving him with virtually no right ear. Surgery in the mid to late 1980s corrected this

Rod Stewart

-Birth name: Sir Roderick David Stewart

-DOB: 1/10/1945

-Where: London, England

-He is known for his raspy voice

Jimmy Page

-Birth name: James Patrick Page

-DOB: 1/9/1944

-Where: Heston, Hounslow, England

-Was in the Yardbirds briefly before leaving and forming a new band, The New Yardbirds, which would soon change their name to Led Zeppelin

David Bowie

-Birth name: David Robert Jones

-DOB: 1/8/1947

-Where: London, England

-DOD: 1/10/2016

-Where: Manhattan, New York (cancer)

-During his "Ziggy Stardust" phase, many members of his backing band thought he was crazy. They didn't know that he had a massive drug problem

James May

-Birth name: James Daniel May

-DOB: 1/16/1963

-Where: Bristol, England

-Known as "Captain Slow" on Top Gear because of his cautious driving style

Georgia May Jagger

-Birth name: Georgia May Ayeesha Jagger

-DOB: 1/12/1992

-Where: London, England

-Followed her mother, Jerry Hall, in the world of modelling

Rowan Atkinson

-Birth name: Rowan Sebastian Atkinson

-DOB: 1/6/1955

-Where: Consett, England

-Known best for his roles as Mr. Bean, Blackadder

Kate Middleton

-DOB: 1/9/1982

-Where: Reading, England

-Is considered, by some, to be a more classy and elegant duchess than the current one, Meghan Markle

Malcolm Young

-Birth name: Malcolm Mitchell Young

-DOB: 1/6/1953

-Where: Glasgow, Scotland

-DOD: 11/18/2017

-Where: Elizabeth Bay, Australia (dementia)

-One of the co-founders for the band AC/DC

Phil Collins

-Birth name: Philip David Charles Collins

-DOB: 1/30/1951

-Where: Chiswick, Middlesex, England

-Was the drummer for Genesis before being promoted to frontman after Peter Gabriel's departure

January Birthdays

Since it's January, time to say Happy Birthday

Ian Hill

-Birth name: Ian Frank Hill

-DOB: 1/20/1952

-Where: West Bromwich, England

-Founding member/bassist for Judas Priest

Richie Faulkner

-Birth name: Richard Ian Faulkner

-DOB: 1/1/1980

-Where: London, England

-Played guitar for singer Lauren Harris before joining Judas Priest

Paul Stanley

-Birth name: Stanley Bert Eisen

-DOB: 1/20/1952

-Where: Queens, New York

-Was born with a rare birth defect called microtia. This condition affects development of the ears. In his case, he had severe microtia, leaving his with an undeveloped right ear and completely deaf on that side

Rod Stewart

-Birth name: Roderick David Stewart

-DOB: 1/10/1945

-Where: Highgate, London, England

-Was a short-term singer for The Kinks until he found that their music tastes didn't click and Ray Davies was brought in

Jimmy Page

-Birth name: James Patrick Page

-DOB: 1/9/1944

-Where: Heston, Middlesex, England

-Produced all of the Led Zeppelin albums

David Bowie

-Birth name: David Robert Haywood Jones

-DOB: 1/8/1947

-Where: Brixton, London, England

-DOD: 1/10/2016

-Where: Manhattan, New York (liver cancer)

-Known for his odd stage costumes

Kate Middleton

-Birth name: Catherine Elizabeth Middleton

-DOB: 1/9/1982

-Where: Reading, Berkshire, England

-Her father worked as a flight dispatcher and her mother worked as a flight attendant, both working for British Airways

Rowan Atkinson

-Birth name: Rowan Sebastian Atkinson

-DOB: 1/6/1955

-Where: Consett, County Durham, England

-Best known for his characters Mr. Bean and Blackadder

Phil Collins

-Birth name: Philip David Charles Collins

-DOB: 1/30/1951

-Where: Chiswick, London, England

-His mother was a theatrical agent and his father was an insurance agent

James May

-Birth name: James Daniel May

-DOB: 1/16/1963

-Where: Bristol, England

-Is often called "Captain Slow" on Top Gear

Georgia May Jagger

-Birth name: Georgia May Ayeesha Jagger

-DOB: 1/12/1992

-Where: London, England

-Is said to bear a resemblance to French actress Brigitte Bardot

Malcolm Young

-Birth name: Malcolm Mitchell Young

-DOB: 1/6/1953

-Where: Glasgow, Scotland

-DOD: 11/18/2017 (complications from dementia)

-He passed away four weeks after his older brother George Young

Janick Gers

-Birth name: Janick Robert Gers

-DOB: 1/27/1957

-Where: Hartlepool, England

-Despite being from Hartlepool, Janick is a fan of Newcastle United

January birthdays

Since it's January, time to say Happy Birthday to some people

Ian Hill

-Birth name: Ian Frank Hill

-DOB: 1/20/1951

-Where: West Bromwich, England

-Going to be: 66

-He was married to Judas Priest front man Rob Halford's sister Sue, making them brothers-in-law

Richie Faulkner

-Birth name: Richard Ian Faulkner

-DOB: 1/1/1980

-Where: London, England

-Going to be: 38

-Was previously a member of Lauren Harris' band before joining Priest

Paul Stanley

-Birth name: Stanley Bert Eisen

-DOB: 1/20/1952

-Where: Manhattan, New York City, New York

-Going to be: 65

-Was born with a rare birth defect called microtia, which affects the development of the ears

Rod Stewart

-Birth name: Roderick David Stewart

-DOB: 1/10/1945

-Where: Highgate, United Kingdom

-Going to be: 72

-Was a member of the Faces before going solo

Jimmy Page

-Birth name: James Patrick Page

-DOB: 1/9/1944

-Where: Hounslow, London, England

-Going to be: 73

-Was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once as a member of the Yardbirds and another as a member of Led Zeppelin

David Bowie

-Birth name: David Robert Jones

-DOB: 1/8/1947

-Where: Brixton, London, England

-DOD: 1/10/2016

-Where: Manhattan, New York City, New York

-Going to be: Was 69 at time of death

-Was in the process of working on his new album Blackstar when he died

Orlando Bloom

-Birth name: Orlando Jonathan Blanchard Bloom

-DOB: 1/13/1977

-Where: Canterbury, England

-Going to be: 40

-His current girlfriend is singer Katy Perry

Kate Middleton

-Birth name: Elizabeth Kate Middleton

-DOB: 1/9/1982

-Where: Reading, England

-Going to be: 35

-Is married to Prince William

Rowan Atkinson

-Birth name: Rowan Sebastian Atkinson

-DOB: 1/6/1955

-Where: Consett, England

-Going to be: 62

-Best known for the roles of Blackadder and Mr. Bean

Phil Collins

-Birth name: Phillip David Charles Collins

-DOB: 1/30/1951

-Where: Chiswick, London, England

-Going to be: 66

-Was originally the drummer for Genesis before taking over lead vocals from Peter Gabriel

James May

-Birth name: James Daniel May

-DOB: 1/16/1963

-Where: Bristol, England

-Going to be: 54

-Studied music while at university

Georgia May Jagger

-Birth name: Georgia May Ayeesha Jagger

-DOB: 1/12/1992

-Where: London, England

-Going to be: 25

-Did modelling for Rimmel Cosmetics

Janick Gers

-Birth name: Janick Robert Gers

-DOB: 1/27/1957

-Where: Hartlepool, England

-Going to be: 60

-Was previously in the band White Spirit and former Deep Purple front man Ian Gillan's band Gillan

Malcolm Young

-Birth name: Malcolm Mitchell Young

-DOB: 1/6/1953

-Where: Glasgow, Scotland

-Going to be: 64

-One of the founding members of AC/DC