Rob Halford
Robert John Arthur Halford (born 25 August 1951) is an English singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Judas Priest, which was formed in 1969[1] and has received accolades such as the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. He has been noted for his powerful and wide ranging operatic vocal style and trademark leather-and-studs image, both of which have become iconic in heavy metal.[2] He has also been involved with several side projects, including Fight, Two, and Halford.
For the band, see Halford (band).
Rob Halford
Robert John Arthur Halford
Metal God
25 August 1951
Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England
Walsall, West Midlands, England
- Singer
- songwriter
Vocals
1969–present
Halford is often regarded as one of the greatest metal frontmen and singers of all time.[3][4][5][6] AllMusic said of Halford, "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."[7] He was ranked at No. 33 on the list of greatest voices in rock by Planet Rock listeners in 2009.[8] He has also been nicknamed "Metal God" by fans.[9][10] 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.[11]
Career[edit]
Early years[edit]
Robert John Arthur Halford was born on 25 August 1951[7] in Sutton Coldfield. He grew up in nearby Walsall, where he was raised on the Beechdale housing estate,[12] which was also home to Noddy Holder.[13]
Personal life[edit]
Hobbies[edit]
Halford divides his time between homes in the United States and his home town of Walsall.[52]
Halford owns a 1970s Aston Martin DBS, a Chevrolet Corvette, and a Mercury Cougar. He did not get a driving licence until the age of 38.[53] In 2010, he said that his main car was a 2006 Cadillac DTS.[54]
In May 2021, Halford was made a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Andy Beshear.[55]
Sexuality[edit]
Halford is gay, he publicly revealed his homosexuality on MTV in 1998.[1][56] He broke down in tears saying, "It's a wonderful moment when you walk out of the closet. Now I've done that and I've freed myself. It's a great feeling for me to finally let go and make this statement—especially to The Advocate, because this magazine has brought me so much comfort over the years. Obviously this is just a wonderful day for me."[57] Halford later explained that he did not have a plan or an agenda when coming in to do his interview with MTV. He mainly spoke about and promoted the Voyeurs album he made with guitarist John 5, when he slipped out his sexuality after being asked a question from the studio's producer. He cited it being "kind of a big leap forward."[58]
At the time Halford revealed his sexuality, he was concerned that he would lose his fanbase as a result. He explained that he cannot return to certain places of the world in fear of lapidation. He described the 1970s and 1980s as "incredibly difficult", but not counting it as important music-wise. Halford jokingly claimed that he cannot be replaced by a straight man, bringing up late Queen vocalist Freddie Mercury, saying that "if Freddie hadn't have been gay, Queen would've been a totally different band. But that's a really important part of my life that I have to get down on paper at some point."[59]
Halford describes himself as "the stately homo of heavy metal", and said that his announcement was "the greatest thing I could have done for myself." He also explained that he did not announce it sooner due to the fear that it was going to be troublesome for him.[60]
Halford speaks negatively about the discrimination homosexuals still face in some parts of the world. He recalled that his announcement came as a surprise, and questioned if he would've told the members of Judas Priest while he was in the band. Halford said that after he completed his interview, he began to fear negative reactions, but was quickly inundated with messages of support from colleagues and fans.[61]
In 2018, Halford stated that society has not changed as much as he hoped since his announcement, "You'd think there would have been some kind of change and people would have moved on after such a long time. Now that I'm moving through my OAP heavy metal years (laughs), I thought a lot of it would be gone by now. And it's a shame. We don't really get to spend a lot of time on this planet together, so there's no point in wasting it being divided."[62]
The subject matter of his lyrics had not changed since his coming out, and he avoided addressing it in Judas Priest's lyrics. However, the song "Raw Deal" from the 1977 album Sin After Sin speaks about Fire Island in New York, USA, which was famous in the 1970s and '80s as a community for gay men. He felt that the lyrics were "just too much", but was approved by the other members of the band. "But you listen to that song, it really is almost like a coming-out experience for me. And it never really registered. [Laughs] It's only been in recent years that people have picked up on that song." he said.[63]
In September 2020, Halford revealed how in 1992 he had a 'George Michael moment,' when he was arrested for public indecency in a men's bathroom commonly used for casual sex in Venice Beach, California. An officer who was a fan of Judas Priest helped keep the arrest from wide publicity.[64]
He is currently married to his husband Thomas.[65]
Halford has previously spoken about the level of acceptance of his sexuality within the metal community, calling it accepting and inclusive.[66]
Health[edit]
In the Behind the Music documentary series, Halford said that hiding his sexuality during Judas Priest's career caused him a lot of depression and isolation which led to his alcohol and drug abuse.
During the making of the band's 1986 album Turbo, Halford struggled with increasing substance abuse and violent feuds with his romantic partner. The singer entered rehab in January 1986 following a painkiller overdose[67] and even managed to stay sober after his partner died by suicide. He says that he has been clean and sober since then.[68] He made an energetic recovery and his live performances during the subsequent Fuel for Life Tour were described as some of his strongest ever.
He was born and raised in a Christian household, and said that his upbringing "has become more important since I became clean and sober on 6 January 1986. That was 25 years ago and I think that's probably more important to me now, on a daily basis."[68]
When asked in 2016 what part sobriety has played in the band's longevity, he responded, "Without it? Oh, I'd be dead. Literally, I would be dead."[69]
Despite being clean and sober since 1986, he confessed that he did have the desire to "have a drink" and "have a smoke and do a line. I wish I could do all that, but I can't. I've done all that. I've done all that and it nearly killed me. I wish I could do that because when I'm with my friends and they're having a good time and there's this little devil on your shoulder, 'Just have a quick shot. Do a shot of Jack.'" He pointed out to those who are recovering from their abuse about dealing with the "little devil on your shoulder or the monkey on your back", and that being clean and sober was "the greatest gift I was given. It was a gift. I can't do this by myself. There's another source helping. That's just a thrill to share with the music at this point."[70]
Halford underwent back surgery in 2013[71] and umbilical hernia surgery in 2014.[72][73][74]
Halford battled prostate cancer during the COVID-19 lockdowns after experiencing symptoms in 2017. He underwent prostatectomy in July 2020. After more cancer was found, he went through radiation treatments in April and May that year and was cleared in June before traveling to England to visit family. He also had an appendectomy after a tumor was discovered in his appendix.[75][76]