Rob Halford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rob Halford
Halford performing in 2022
Background information
Birth name	Robert John Arthur Halford
Also known as	Metal God
Born	(1951-08-25) 25 August 1951 (age 73) Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, England
Origin	Walsall, West Midlands, England
Genres	Heavy metal
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter
Years active	1969–present

Robert John Arthur Halford, born on August 25, 1951, is a famous English heavy metal singer. He is most famous as the lead singer of the band Judas Priest, which started in 1969. The band has won awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2010.

Rob Halford is known for his strong and wide-ranging singing voice. He can switch easily between a deep growl and a very high-pitched sound. His look, often with leather and studs, has also become a classic part of heavy metal music. Fans often call him the "Metal God." In 2022, he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Judas Priest.

Rob Halford's Music Journey

Starting Out

Rob Halford was born in Sutton Coldfield, England. He grew up in a nearby town called Walsall. When he was young, he was inspired by singers like Little Richard, Janis Joplin, and Robert Plant.

Joining Judas Priest

Halford in 1984

Halford performing with Judas Priest in 2005

Rob Halford joined Judas Priest in 1973 as their lead singer. He was introduced to the band's bassist, Ian Hill, by his sister. Rob also brought drummer John Hinch from his old band, Hiroshima. Their first show with Judas Priest was in May 1973.

In 1974, Rob recorded his first album with the band, called Rocka Rolla. He continued to be the frontman for Judas Priest throughout the 1970s and 1980s. By 1990, he started shaving his head and got new tattoos, which became part of his iconic look.

In 1991, during a concert, Rob had a small accident. He rode his Harley-Davidson motorcycle onto the stage, but he hit a part of the stage that was not fully down. He fell and broke his nose. Even though he was hurt, he finished the show!

After this, Rob wanted to try a solo music project. He left Judas Priest for a while, but it was a misunderstanding. He thought he needed to officially leave to work on his solo music. It took over ten years for him to rejoin the band.

Other Bands and Projects

After leaving Judas Priest, Rob Halford formed a band called Fight in 1993. They released two albums, War of Words and A Small Deadly Space. The band toured to support these albums.

Later, in 1997, Rob worked with guitarist John Lowery to create a band called 2wo. They released one album in 1998.

In 1999, Rob Halford went back to his heavy metal roots and started his own solo band, simply called Halford. Their first album, Resurrection, came out in 2000 and was very popular. They toured with famous bands like Iron Maiden. The band released more albums, including Crucible in 2002 and Halford IV: Made of Metal in 2010.

Back with Judas Priest

Halford performing in 2014

In July 2003, Rob Halford officially returned to Judas Priest. Fans were very excited! They went on tour in 2004 to celebrate his return. The band then released new albums like Angel of Retribution in 2005 and Nostradamus in 2008.

Even though Judas Priest announced a "final tour" in 2011, they continued to make music. Rob and the band released Redeemer of Souls in 2014 and Firepower in 2018. They are still making music and touring today.

Live Performances with Other Artists

Halford often rides a motorcycle onstage.

Rob Halford has also performed with other famous bands. He sang for Black Sabbath a few times when their regular singer couldn't perform. He also joined Sum 41 on stage in 2001 and Metallica several times to sing songs like "Rapid Fire."

In 2016, he performed with the Japanese band Babymetal at an awards show. They sang a mix of "Painkiller" and "Breaking the Law," two classic Judas Priest songs.

Other Fun Activities

Rob Halford appeared in the 2002 movie Spun as a retail clerk. He also lent his voice to characters in the 2009 video game Brütal Legend. One character, General Lionwhyte, was even designed to look like a younger Rob Halford!

In 2019, Rob started working on his autobiography, a book about his life. It's called Confess and was published in 2020. He also appeared as himself in the 2022 movie Metal Lords.

Personal Life

Rob Halford splits his time between homes in the United States and his hometown of Walsall, England. He enjoys cars and owns several classic models. He didn't get his driving license until he was 38 years old!

In 2021, he was honored with the title of Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky.

Health Journey

Rob Halford has faced some health challenges. He battled prostate cancer during the COVID-19 lockdowns. He had surgery in 2020 and then received radiation treatments. He also had a tumor removed from his appendix. He has since recovered and is doing well.

Singing Style and Influences

Halford performing at Sauna Open Air in 2011

Rob Halford has a very powerful voice with a wide range. He is famous for his high-pitched screams and strong vibrato (a wavering effect in his voice). He is considered one of the pioneers of the "pseudo-operatic" singing style often used in power metal.

He is a huge fan of the band Queen and calls their late lead singer, Freddie Mercury, his "ultimate hero." Rob was also influenced by singers like Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, and Robert Plant. He also enjoys the music of Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, and David Bowie.

Selected Music Albums

Judas Priest

Fight

• War of Words (1993)
• A Small Deadly Space (1995)

Halford

• Resurrection (2000)
• Crucible (2002)
• Halford IV: Made of Metal (2010)

Rob Halford with Family and Friends

• Celestial (2019)

Guest Appearances

• Sang on "Light comes out of Black" with Pantera for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer soundtrack (1992)
• Sang on "Feel Good Hit of the Summer" for Queens of the Stone Age (2000)
• Voiced characters in the video game Brütal Legend (2009)
• Sang on "Lift Me Up" for Five Finger Death Punch (2013)
• Sang a version of "Breaking the Law" called "Respecting the Law" in The Simpsons episode "Steal This Episode" (2014)
• Sang on "Black Wedding" for In This Moment (2017)
• Featured on "Bygones" for Dolly Parton's album Rockstar (2023)

See also

In Spanish: Rob Halford para niños