Thursday, October 27, 2011

Judas Priest looking forward to James Durbin debut

Form the very first week of live performance on American Idol last season, where rocker James Durbin covered Judas Priest’s “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,” to the season finale months later – where the metal gods actually joined James for a live double-shot, it’s safe to say the Judas Priest-James Durbin connection is solid and growing stronger all the time.

Durbin’s debut, “Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster,” is due November 21 and many fans await the album’s release – including the members of Judas Priest.

“I can’t wait to hear it,” says Priest frontman Rob Halford. “Apparently, the underground vibe is that, again, he’s staying true to his course and he’s making some great songs.”

“We love James,”
Halford continues, “because he’s really what metal is about. He really stood his ground [on Idol]; if you saw some of those interviews [where] they wanted him to do this song or that song…he’s like ‘no, I’m a metal singer and I want to do my own thing.’ James said, ‘When I do my thing, it’s going to be metal: it’s going to be strong, powerful music.’ James, alone, introduced that attitude into 30-something million homes in America and then, of course, it goes around the world.”

As far as their appearance on the finale, there was no hesitation of the part of the metal legends.

"For us," Halford sums up, “it was an opportunity to do that thing that we call 'flying the flag for heavy metal,' and it was a big success.”

Priest are currently on the North American leg of their farewell Epitaph world tour.


Judas Priest Judas Priest

Judas Priest – Livin’ After Midnight / Breaking The Law
With guest James Durbin

American Idol season 10 finale – May 25, 2011


See also:

James Durbin: How I discovered heavy metal
James Durbin: Debut album details released
VIDEO: Motley Crue guitarist in studio with James Durbin
James Durbin to appear on Rockline next month
AUDIO: New James Durbin single rocks NFL
Motley Crue guitarist recording with James Durbin
James Durbin signs record deal, album due this fall
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Guns N’ Roses, Muse on American Idol tour
James Durbin tops the hennemusic Hot 10
VIDEO: James Durbin covers Skid Row
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Journey classic with Steel Panther
Judas Priest: James Durbin is our hero
Judas Priest talk about American Idol experience with James Durbin
VIDEO: Judas Priest rock American Idol finale with James Durbin
Judas Priest to play American Idol finale tonight with James Durbin?
James Durbin tops the hennemusic Hot 10
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Live! With Regis & Kelly
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks The Tonight Show
James Durbin gone from American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin weeps while rocking American Idol Top 5
James Durbin tops the hennemusic Hot 10 for 2nd week
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Carole King on American Idol
James Durbin tops the hennemusic Hot 10
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Muse on American Idol
How Zakk Wylde wound up on American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin, Zakk Wylde rock Sammy Hagar on American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks The Beatles on American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Elton John on American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Stevie Wonder on American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Bon Jovi on American Idol
VIDEO: James Durbin rocks Paul McCartney classic on American Idol
James Durbin to bring AC/DC, Ozzy, Iron Maiden to American Idol
VIDEO: American Idol rocks with Judas Priest cover