The 74 year-old Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford mentioned the Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan (80) as an inspiration for him to keep touring. He was asked in an interview with The Sound 228 if he could go on for another 10 years and he used Gillan, who is still touring around the world with Purple, as an example that it is possible to do it.
Rob Halford says Ian Gillan is an inspiration for him to keep touring
“Why not? The Lord has me still here to do the work. So that’s it for me. I’m here to do something that I’m blessed and joyful and grateful to have to do. This voice, it’s still doing the business. It’s not really going to some of the places I wish it would. But it’s still doing the business. Like I say, that desire for me has never left. I’ve been clean and sober 36, 38 years — who’s counting? My drug is getting on that stage. That’s my drug. I get my kicks, if that’s the right word, euphemism of what I’m talking about. I need to do it, man. I need to do it.”
“It’s important to me. It’s what drives me. It’s what I thrive on. So, as long as I’m here and as long as I’ve got the voice and the physical ability, I ain’t stopping, man. I’m not stopping. I’m not putting the fire out. (Laughs) Don’t call the fire brigade just yet. Music is the most incredible part of who we are as people. It does so much for us in every way, every conceivable way that you can think of. And for me personally, it’s my lifeblood. And being on stage is the ultimate connection. To carry music with you onto a stage and to share it with all of these beautiful fans, that’s my motivation”.
He continued:
“And then my inspiration — I’m always inspired. As we’re talking right now, it’s Ian Gillan’s 80th birthday. And that guy, to me, is a maestro. I used to listen to Purple before Priest ever really started to get any place. So there’s all of that, there’s all of that internally that I carry with me. And I’ve never lost the fire. The fire is still there, man. And I’ve always said, you’ve really got to wanna walk out or run out onto that stage.”
“It has to be for all the right reasons because your fans are watching you. And our fans know, for all of these bands that are coming to play for you, we all feel the same way. The exchange that we have when we’re on stage together with our fans is just a beautiful, remarkable thing. And that’s what keeps me going. That’s what keeps me driven,” Rob Halford said (Transcribed by Blabbermouth).
Judas Priest is currently on the road promoting their latest album “Invincible Shield” which was released in 2024. Besides Halford, the band is currently formed by Ian Hill (Bass), Scott Travis (Drums), Glenn Tipton (Guitar – Studio and some live shows), Richie Faulkner (Guitar) and Andy Sneap (Guitar).