No New Judas Priest Music in 2020, Rob Halford Says

With the 50th anniversary of Judas Priest coming up in 2020, the band’s members have been keeping themselves busy writing music and making plans to tour Europe and North America. But don’t expect new music, says frontman Rob Halford.

Halford, who sparked talk of a new album when he recently mentioned he and his bandmates were writing songs, says they’re in no hurry to record the new material. “Like I’ve always said, it’ll be ready when it’s ready,” Halford says. “But we’re probably moving faster than we ever did, because the clock is ticking. I said years ago, I wanna be screaming out ‘Painkiller’ when I turn 80; I wanna be on a stage somewhere.”

When Halford does take the stage at 80, it will be without guitarist Glenn Tipton, who retired from touring last year after revealing he’s battling Parkinson’s disease. “Glenn’s doing well,” the singer says. “In fact, we stay in touch, and he’s got his guitar on and he’s putting down riffs and ideas for new Priest music. He’s a hero.”

Why are bands staying together longer than ever before? Do all long-time bands reach a point where there music stops selling but they still fill concert venues?