SIXTY SECONDS
THE GRAMMYWINNING JUDAS PRIEST SINGER, 69, ON BRAINWASHING, NOSTRADAMUS AND CONFESS, HIS NEW AUTOBIOGRAPHY
You’ve battled drugs, alcohol and depression, and hid your sexuality, for years. Did you learn anything about yourself from writing your new autobiography, Confess?
It was a journey of self-discovery and the roller-coaster ride I’ve had in metal. Talking about things in depth – issues of sexuality and the dark moments I had with booze and drugs – was a chance to look at issues I’ve held close to my chest.
Your sex life is a theme throughout the book…
Sex is important to everyone, isn’t it? We’re made from sex. The fact I’m talking for most of the book from the viewpoint of a closeted gay man isn’t unique. Every gay person has that journey of self-discovery and I discuss the effects that having to hide my sexuality had on me.
Were you surprised how big a story it was when you came out?
Not really. I was away from Judas Priest at the time but I was still known as being from one of the biggest heavy metal bands. It was a big deal. Heavy metal, to a certain point, was always perceived as being an alpha male-dominated thing, which is rubbish – heavy metal music is for everyone from all walks of life. But the feeling was that you can’t be gay if you’re in a heavy metal band. But I was, so there you are. It became worldwide news. It was one of the reasons I held back so long – I felt I had to do it when I was away from Priest. I wonder if I’d never left Priest if I’d ever have come out [Halford quit in 1992 and rejoined in 2003]. It’s remarkable that in 2020 there is still so much hate directed at people who are considered ‘different’.
The perception at the time seemed to be that you were the only gay person in heavy metal.
Yes, that I was ‘the only gay in the village’. But there are millions of us. Times were different then. When I was growing up, gay men were still being thrown into prison.
Are you surprised more people didn’t guess from your lyrics?
Listen to Raw Deal – it’s about Fire Island, which is a gay Mecca. I presented songs to the band in all different shapes and forms, and about all different types of stories. In all these years I’ve never really had that discussion with the band.
I wonder if I’d never left Judas Priest if I’d ever have come out as gay
Why were you accused of brainwashing your fans to kill themselves?
I still don’t know to this day. We were targeted. Two boys had committed suicide in Reno and a group of people, backed by people who were against heavy metal music, said we were writing songs that if listened to in a certain way made you kill yourself. It was insane. Ozzy Osbourne went through it with his song Suicide Solution and then it was our turn. We went to court in America and dealt with it.
How did you debunk it?
The prosecution said if you played heavy metal albums backwards you’d get devil-worshipping messages. I said to the guys, ‘Let’s prove them wrong.’ We got some Frank Sinatra albums, played them backwards in the hotel, and these unusual messages started appearing. One was, ‘I gave her a peppermint.’ It was ludicrous. I played them to the judge, who was a very conservative Mormon, and when he listened, he physically moved – he was surprised. It was a remarkable episode.
Do you have any favourite pieces of trivia you discovered while researching your Nostradamus concept album?
The thing I found most interesting about Nostradamus was his own struggle for acceptance. He had this uncanny gift, like a clairvoyant, and he had to move several times as he was persecuted by the church. With persecution, whether you’re a gifted psychic or a closeted gay man, I saw something relative to Nostradamus that I went through myself.
Lady Gaga is a fan. Does anyone else unexpected like your work?
It was nice to find out she is a massive metal head. It was great to meet her. I was standing in front of her at one of her gigs and she spotted me and lost her wig. She’s a wonderfully talented person. Drew Barrymore is a fan of Priest and so is Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead. He’s a fantastic guy.
How often do you get back to your home town of Walsall?
At least a couple of times a year. I still do all my writing for Priest when I’m back in the UK. That’s the best place to write my music. When I’m not in the UK, I’m at my home in Phoenix. We had just started a new writing session at the start of the year, then we were going to crack on with the new album – but that’s all gone t*ts up now. We’re all affected by this pandemic.
What are you proudest of achieving in your career?
Of still being here in a band that’s been around for 50 years. I’m proud Priest is still an acclaimed metal band. Our love for metal, our love for our country – I’m proud of those things.