Rob Halford

Robert John Arthur Halford (born 25 August 1951) is an English heavy metal singer. He is the lead vocalist of Judas Priest, which he joined in 1973, and has received accolades such as the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. He is noted for his powerful and wide-ranging operatic style and trademark leather-and-studs image, both of which have become iconic in heavy metal. His side projects include Fight, Two and Halford.

Halford is often regarded as one of the greatest metal frontmen and singers of all time. AllMusic said, "There have been few vocalists in the history of heavy metal whose singing style has been as influential and instantly recognizable… able to effortlessly alternate between a throaty growl and an ear-splitting falsetto." He was ranked at No. 33 on the list of greatest voices in rock by Planet Rock listeners in 2009. He has also been nicknamed "Metal God" by fans. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Judas Priest in 2022, via the Award for Musical Excellence.

Robert John Arthur Halford was born on 25 August 1951 in Sutton Coldfield. He grew up in nearby Walsall, where he was raised on the Beechdale housing estate; the estate was also home to Noddy Holder.

Halford was introduced to Judas Priest bassist and co-founder Ian Hill by his sister Sue, who was dating Hill at the time. Halford, a manager of a men's clothing store, joined the band as singer, bringing with him drummer John Hinch from his previous band Hiroshima. Halford and Hinch played their first show with Judas Priest in May 1973 at the Townhouse in Wellington, Shropshire. The show was recorded and part of it released in 2019 on the compilation Downer-Rock Asylum on the Audio Archives label.

In 1974, he made his recording debut on the band's first album Rocka Rolla. He continued to front Judas Priest throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In 1990, Halford emerged with all-new tattoos, including a bent Judas Priest cross on his right arm and ring around his other, as well as a few on his shoulders. He also began shaving his head.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.