September Birthdays

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

Joe Perry

-Birth name: Anthony Joseph Pereira

-DOB: 9/10/1950

-Where: Lawrence, Massachusetts

-In the "Love in an Elevator" video, his current wife Billie is the woman he is making out with since he says that he is a "one woman man"

Jeremy Irons

-Birth name: Jeremy John Irons

-DOB: 9/19/1948

-Where: Cowes, Isle of Wight, England

-He considered becoming a veterinary surgeon before going into acting

Freddie Mercury

-Birth name: Faroukh Bomi Bulsara

-DOB: 9/5/1946

-Where: Stone Town, Tanzania

-DOD: 11/24/1991

-Where: London, England (AIDS-related complications)

-He named the band he was famous for, Queen, because of the sexual innuendo of the name and him being a strong supporter of the British monarchy

Colin Firth

-Birth name: Colin Andrew Firth

-DOB: 9/10/1960

-Where: Grayshott, Hampshire, England

-His parents were both college professors. His mother taught comparative religion at the Open University and his father taught history at Winchester University College. He also worked on education for the Nigerian government

Scott Travis

-Birth name: Mark Scott Travis

-DOB: 9/6/1961

-Where: Norfolk, Virginia

-Played drums for Racer X before joining Judas Priest

Scott Travis

Here is the new drummer for Judas Priest, replacing former drummer Dave Holland. Not much is really known about him

DOB: 9/6/1961
Where: Norfolk, Virginia

Trivia
-Was previously with American rock band Racer X
-Auditioned for Priest in 1989 and won it, becoming the first non-British member of Judas Priest

Judas Priest lineup changes

Like all bands, Judas Priest has had to change lineups over the years to accommodate members leaving/quitting or other reasons. Let's look at the lineup changes. I still can't believe I get to see these guys next year!!!!! My mind is completely blown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1969-1970
-Al Atkins/Ernie Chataway(John Perry)/Bruno Staplehill/John Partridge
-This was the earliest incarnation of Judas Priest, fronted by Al Atkins

1970-1973
-Al Atkins/K.K. Downing/Ian Hill/John Ellis(Alan Moore, Chris Campbell)
-This is where the Judas Priest lineup truly started, with Ian Hill and K.K. Downing

1973-1974
-Rob Halford/K.K. Downing/Ian Hill/John Hinch
-Rob Halford joined the band after he was suggested to Ian Hill by Rob's sister, who he was dating at the time

1974-1975
-Rob Halford/K.K. Downing/Glenn Tipton/Ian Hill/John Hinch
-As you can see, it's slowly but surely forming into the lineup we all know. It's been said that Glenn was the missing puzzle piece to the twin guitar assault that Judas Priest is known for

1975-1976
-Rob Halford/K.K. Downing/Glenn Tipton/Ian Hill/Alan Moore
-Once newbie Glenn Tipton had some time to write with Downing and Halford, things started taking a turn for the better

1977-1979
-Rob Halford/K.K. Downing/Glenn Tipton/Les Binks(Simon Phillips)/Ian Hill
-Simon Phillips joined the band and gave it the heavy metal sound

1979-1989
-Rob Halford/Ian Hill/K.K. Downing/Glenn Tipton/Dave Holland
-The classic lineup. What Judas Priest was known for all through its life. This is, to many fans, considered the definitive Priest lineup

1989-1992
-Rob Halford / K.K. Downing / Glenn Tipton / Ian Hill / Scott Travis
-During the making of 1992's Painkiller, known for its powerful kick drum starting off the title track, they had new drummer Scott Travis. He is the band's first American-born member

1996-2003
-Tim 'Ripper' Owens/ K.K. Downing / Glenn Tipton / Ian Hill / Dave Holland
-In 1996, the band tired of waiting for Rob to come back, so they hired American metal singer Tim 'Ripper' Owens, who took his name from the song "The Ripper". He was in a Judas Priest tribute band called British Steel. He seemed too good to be true, a true godsend for the band, bringing the heavy metal vocals to 1997's Jugulator, and 2001's Demolition. His story even inspired the movie Rockstar

2003-2011
-Rob Halford / K.K. Downing / Glenn Tipton / Ian Hill / Scott Travis
-Halford was back. They soldiered on, playing the 2004 Ozzfest concert, where they played with headliners Black Sabbath, their old Birmingham big brothers, since both bands are from the same town in England. They had a hard road ahead, as they followed thrash metal legends Slayer. Their album, 2005's Angel of Retribution was a success, but their first concept album, 2008's Nostradamus, didn't rank that high.

2011-present
-Rob Halford / Richie Faulkner / Glenn Tipton / Ian Hill / Scott Travis
-K.K. Downing announced his retirement and a replacement was needed. The band hired London-born Richie Faulkner and they made their first album with the London-born guitarist, Redeemer of Souls. They show no signs of slowing down

Scott Travis

Scott Travis

DOB: 9/6/1961
Where: Norfolk, Virginia

Trivia
-Always dreamed of being the drummer for Judas Priest
-Was in a local band called Hampton Roads during the 1980s
-Is the current drummer for British metal band Judas Priest and American metal band Racer X