Leather, Whips, Motorcycles: Classic Images of Judas Priest | Revolver

Leather, Whips, Motorcycles: Classic Images of Judas Priest

Photographer Ross Halfin shares iconic shots of NWOBHM legends as they defined heavy-metal aesthetic

For the past five decades, Judas Priest have epitomized the look and sound of classic NWOBHM. Central to that equation is vocalist Rob Halford. He established the leather-clad, heavy-metal-biker look, and Judas Priest shows were — and are still to this day — extravagant affairs that included the frontman riding his Harley-Davidson across the stage. Renowned rock photographer Ross Halfin has been shooting the band since the late Seventies as they emerged from U.K. favorites to worldwide metal superstars.

In Revolver's Dec/Jan issue, we featured a collection of Halfin's iconic shots of classic-era Judas Priest: titled Leather, Whips and Motorcycles. See those shots below, and witness the mighty Priest in person as they embark on a new tour for their eighteenth album, Firepower.

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ross halfin priest rob motorcycle color main, Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest chicago popcicle, Ross Halfin
(from left) Dave Holland, Rob Halford, K.K. Downing, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill, Chicago, 1979. "This was on the Hell Bent for Leather tour," says Ross Halfin. "It was a very hot day. The band had to wear leather, so they bought popsicles to cool down."
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest rob halford onstage, Ross Halfin
Halford, Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, May 1979
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest kk downing live, Ross Halfin
K.K. Downing, Monsters of Rock Festival, Castle Donington, Derbyshire, England, August 16th, 1980
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest live group, Ross Halfin
(from left) Tipton, Downing and Halford, Hammersmith Odeon, London, May 1979
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest rob pageboy hair live, Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest rob page boy hair live 2, Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest rob kk schenker, Ross Halfin
Downing, Halford and Michael Schenker, Monsters of Rock Festival, Derbyshire, England, August 16th, 1980
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest rob holiday inn, Ross Halfin
Halford outside Judas Priest's hotel, Chicago, Illinois, September 22nd, 1979
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest rob motorcycle onstage black white, Ross Halfin
Judas Priest onstage at Monsters of Rock Festival, Derbyshire, England, August 16th, 1980
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest rob at council flat, Ross Halfin
Halford outside his home, West Midlands, England, circa 1980
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest rob bicycle, Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest rob council flat 2, Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest rob backstage beer, Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest rob backstage 2, Ross Halfin
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest rob motorcycle onstage color, Ross Halfin
Judas Priest during rehearsals for World Vengeance Tour, Brixton Academy, London, 1983
photograph by Ross Halfin
ross halfin priest rob rio, Ross Halfin
Halford at the beach outside Rock in Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 23rd, 1991
photograph by Ross Halfin

Below, watch Halford break down the message of resistance behind Judas Priest's "Lightning Strike," from their new album, Firepower.