CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Metal God has written his bible -- of a sort.
Rob Halford, the Judas Priest frontman who actually owns the trademark to the term Metal God, put down his microphone and picked up the pen for “Confess; The Autobiography,” which, in 360 pages, reviews what’s certainly be an eventful life. Judas Priest and heavy metal are, of course, the book’s central focus, but Halford also dives into his sexuality and abuse he suffered when he was young, addiction and alcoholism, a suicide attempt that led him to get clean and unlikely encounters with the likes of Andy Warhol, Superman, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Queen Elizabeth II and others.
Halford and Priest were also supposed to be on the road this year, celebrating the group’s 50th anniversary. But Halford, 69 -- who has homes in Arizona and the U.K. -- is still happy to “Confess,” and shed some insightful light from the lap of this particular musical god...
Why a book?
Halford: Like a lot of people in the music business you get approached periodically about the memoir, the autobiography, and it started for me while I was in my 40s. I kept pushing back, saying the time’s not right yet. I wanted to get some more heavy metal road miles in my life before I felt like I’m ready to tell my story. So now, as I get into my seventh decade, it just feels the right time to do it. I think that most of the big stuff that’s happened in my life has probably happened.
Did you have a sense of the story you wanted “Confess” to tell?
Halford: Just the truth. You want the facts, from the source, and this is the best way to go about it, without getting into innuendo or superfluousness or anything of that nature. It’s just a little bit of a deeper insight into me as a person. I’d like to feel there are moments in there that readers can kid of reflect on by association -- especially the coming to terms with my sexuality and the addictive side of alcohol and drugs. I’m not the only person that’s gone through those very heavy experiences, and I won’t be the last. That’s why it’s called ‘Confess.’ When you confess to get the true experience of what a confession can bring you, which is primarily some kind of peace and balance. So, you don’t hold anything back.
You did make headlines when you came out in 1998, but it actually went quite smoothly, didn’t it?
Halford: I count my blessing in terms of the acceptance; For some people it’s the opposite way entirely. I read about them all the time, particularly young people getting kicked out of the house because their parents are so appalled and shocked by the revelation. One of the misconceptions about me is that the way I dress, the leather and all of that, was kind of like an obvious statement about my sexuality, which was never the case. It was just a look I thought worked for the band and for (heavy) metal, that’s all.
What kind of revelations or new perspectives did you have about yourself and your life from writing this?
Halford: Just that I’m still alive and breathing. When you put it out in the chronological manner this book is laid out, there are so many sordid things that have happened to me -- some of it quite dangerous. So, it’s a miracle to some extent that I was able to get this far -- and that’s not an overstatement. There were some very dark, very volatile, scary, frightening moments -- balanced with a lot of humor, a lot of fun, just all of the expressions of a very full life. I’ve always dealt with life head-on and deal with reality, no matter how difficult it may be.
It was interesting to read that your departure from Judas Priest in 1992 was kind of by accident.
Halford: Yeah, we wanted to clear that up because there’s been all these different stories. It was just a miscommunication. It was just a very fragile place. We went through the Reno trial (when alleged subliminal messages in Judas Priest’s songs were accused of causing two youths to shoot themselves, one fatally) and were somewhat victorious, and then making “Painkiller” and that world tour. I think we should have all sat down together and said, “I’m going away for two years now. I’m disappearing. I’ll see you in two years.” I wanted to make a (solo album) and I was told I’d have to leave the band to do that, and that wasn’t the case. It was a miscommunication and breakdown that lasted a decade. That’s a long time. So, I say to bands now, especially younger bands, stay with your bands as long as you possible can. It’s important.
One of the most surprising anecdotes in the book is meeting the queen during a 2005 reception for British musicians at Buckingham Palace -- where she memorably asked you , “Heavy metal -- why does it have to be so loud?” You couldn’t have scripted a better encounter.
Halford: (laughs) It’s still a vivid, indelible memory. I’ve always been a Royalist, so that wonderful opportunity to go to this magnificent, opulent palace in London, a palace that I’ve known since I was a little kid, was like living a dream to some extent. And it was lovely, just beautiful. I think my mum was more excited than I was; My mum, bless her soul, was always a staunch Royalist, so she was over the moon her son was going to meet Her Majesty the Queen.
K.K. Downing, who left the band 2011, also wrote a book (2018′s “Heavy Duty: Days and Nights in Judas Priest”). Did that have any impact on “Confess.”
Halford: I haven’t read it. I wonder why I haven’t read it? I have no clue. (chuckles) He probably won’t read mine, y’know, because we know so much about each other. I may read (Downing’s) at some point. It’s the same way I haven’t listened to “Demolition” or “Jugulator” (the albums Judas Priest made without Halford). Never listened to them. To be brutally honest, I’m just not interested.
You also write about subbing for Ozzy Osbourne a couple of times in Black Sabbath. Everybody talks about Keith Richards, but sometimes it seems like it’s going to be Ozzy and the cockroaches at the end of time, doesn’t it?
Halford: Oh my God, (laughs) that guy’s a miracle man. We all love him to death, don’t we, because of who he is and what he represents, particularly in rock 'n' roll. I’ve been saying that a lot of the music Ozzy’s made over the years, besides Sabbath, is not really remembered as strongly as he should be -- all the great work he’s done with his solo endeavors, those great early albums. That’s classic stuff. So, we love Ozzy.
What’s going on with Judas Priest during the current state of affairs?
Halford: "We had a fantastic writing session at the start of the year. We got so much stuff down it was unbelievable. After the wonderful reception we got with (2018′s) “Firepower,” we just wanted to get motoring along and get a couple writing sessions under our belt and then go into pre-production. And everything (stopped) in March, didn’t it? So now we Zoom each other. We’re planning to go out (on tour) in 2021, but if a vaccine’s not ready I don’t even know about that. We’re just gonna have to wait like everyone else before we make the next move.
Priest has been on the Rock Hall ballot a couple of times at this point. Do you want to get in or are you having none of it?
Halford: It’s a buzz, I’ll be honest -- the second time as much as the first. We would be truly honored. There’s always a tinge of controversy about the Hall, but that’s just passion. The fact that Priest was nominated twice speaks volumes about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame respecting heavy metal music, especially British heavy metal music. It would have been extra special this year because of the 50th anniversary (of the band), but...when elected we will serve. Right now, the champagne is still on ice -- or in my case the Red Bull.