Judas Priest will perform a medley of their classic anthems at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony next month.
After failing to make the cut in the Performers Category, Judas Priest are being inducted as part of what the Rock Hall dubs a “special category” – the Musical Excellence Award.
Formerly known as the Sidemen Award, the Award for Musical Excellence is given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.
In an interview on the Rocker Morning Show with Mark Frankhouse for 107.7 RKR in Michigan, drummer Scott Travis has revealed Judas Priest have been invited to form at the annual back patting bash.
“Naturally, it’s a super honour (to be inducted),” Travis said. “I always felt that Priest would get in eventually, only because you can’t have something called the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and not have Judas Priest in it.
“So there were a couple of events prior to this year where we were nominated — I think that’s the right word; I’m not sure — but we were in the running. And we didn’t quite get in, but I was always confident.
“Priest will get in eventually, and same thing with some of the bands that aren’t in yet — they will get in. But yeah, it’s a super honour. And there’s nothing else you can say about it, really. It’s pretty cool.”
Asked whether Priest will perform live, Travis replied: “Yeah, we are. They give you a limited amount of time because there’s obviously lots of artists that are gonna be performing. So they gave us a set amount of time to perform.
“We decided we’re gonna try and work in a medley and do some of the Priest classics and put them all into a medley, which we’ve never done before. So, it should be interesting.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame cermony takes place at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday 5th November 2022.
The seven acts from the 17-strong shortlist set be inducted in the Performers Category this year are Dolly Parton, Eminem, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon, Eurythmics and Pat Benatar.
Almost half a decade later than planned, Judas Priest are scheduled to tour the UK in May and June 2023 as special guests on Ozzy Osbourne’s No More Tours 2 Tour.
