Rob Halford: No “Straight Man” Could Ever Front Judas Priest

This may have been a diss to vocalist fill-in Ripper Owens. Halford tells The Dallas Morning News:

“I don’t think a straight man can do my job in Judas Priest. I’ve never said that before. I’m sorry, but they can’t.”

Either way, the Metal God is right about one thing. Only one man could front Judas Priest. And he is not a straight man either. Only one man can carry out that stage performance, wearing that leather gear, revving up that motorcycle engine on-stage. His name is Rob Halford. The best of the best as far as a showman, a singer, and a metal founding father. Judas Priest is no gimmick of leather and studs. This is his life.

Ripper — though good — did not have the essential flare of a Rob Halford. Judas Priest was not Judas Priest without Halford.

Carry on, Metal God.