Tim "Ripper" Owens
Timothy S. "Ripper" Owens (born September 13, 1967) is an American heavy metal singer who currently performs with KK's Priest, Spirits of Fire, the Three Tremors and A New Revenge. He first gained attention as the lead singer of Judas Priest and then Iced Earth. He took the nickname "Ripper" from the Judas Priest song "The Ripper" during his time in the tribute band British Steel.[13]
"Tim Owens" redirects here. For the American politician, see Tim Owens (politician).
Tim "Ripper" Owens
Timothy S. Owens
September 13, 1967
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
- Singer
- songwriter
1990–present
- DIO Disciples[1]
- Charred Walls of the Damned[2]
- KK's Priest[3]
- A New Revenge[4]
- The Three Tremors[5]
In 2020, Owens was announced as the frontman for the band KK's Priest, which also features former Judas Priest member KK Downing.[14]
Early life[edit]
Owens was born in Akron, Ohio,[13] on September 13, 1967.[15] He graduated from Kenmore High School in 1985.[16]
Career[edit]
Brainicide and Winter's Bane/British Steel[edit]
Owens began his musical career as the singer for Brainicide, a thrash metal band based in his home town of Akron, Ohio that had also been known as Dammage, Inc. He recorded 3 demo tapes with them before the band split in 1989. Prior to joining Judas Priest in 1996, Owens fronted a band called Winter's Bane, with whom he recorded an album called Heart of a Killer in 1993. He was most prominent in his role as the frontman of Judas Priest tribute band British Steel, named after the Judas Priest album, although the bands Winter's Bane and British Steel were actually one and the same. The band would often open their shows as Winter's Bane in order to introduce the audience to their original material. After finishing their original set, they would then take a break, which included a wardrobe change to emulate the subject of their tribute, Judas Priest. Winter's Bane sound engineer Ken Reffner would come out from behind the soundboard, adding a fifth member to the stage. Reffner can be seen playing the part of K. K. Downing with British Steel in the Judas Priest episode of VH1's Behind the Music.
