TIM 'RIPPER' OWENS Doesn't Think He Will Be Asked To Participate In JUDAS PRIEST's 50th-Anniversary Tour

December 11, 2019

Former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens doesn't think he will be asked to participate in the band's upcoming 50th-anniversary tour.

Owens joined PRIEST in 1996 after being discovered when the band's drummer was given a videotape of him performing with the PRIEST cover band BRITISH STEEL. JUDAS PRIEST at the time was seeking a replacement for Rob Halford, who has since rejoined the band.

The Ohio-based singer created two studio albums with the British heavy metal legends โ€” 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" โ€” before the band reunited with Halford.

When asked by a fan on Twitter earlier today if he will be involved in PRIEST's tour celebrating the half-century milestone, he replied, "I would say that's a No"

Bassist Ian Hill is the sole remaining original member of JUDAS PRIEST. Halford joined JUDAS PRIEST in 1973 and guitarist Glenn Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then returned to PRIEST in 2003. Founding guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Richie Faulkner.

A month before the start of PRIEST's "Firepower" tour, Tipton bowed out due to the worsening of his Parkinson's disease, first diagnosed six years ago (after being stricken by the degenerative condition at least half a decade earlier). His spot in the band is being filled by "Firepower" album producer Andy Sneap.

Downing said in October 2018 that all of PRIEST's living former and current members should be involved in the group's upcoming 50th-anniversary celebration.

This past October, it was announced that JUDAS PRIEST is among the nominees for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's class of 2020. The top vote-getters will be announced in January and inducted May 2, 2020 at a ceremony at Cleveland's Public Hall.

Current members Halford, Hill, Tipton and drummer Scott Travis would be inducted along with Downing, Les Binks and late drummer Dave Holland.

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