Editing Rob Halford (section)

==Career==
===Early years===
Robert John Arthur Halford was born on 25 August 1951<ref name="allmusicbio" /> in [[Sutton Coldfield]]. He grew up in nearby [[Walsall]], where he was raised on the [[Beechdale]] housing estate;<ref>Bernard Perusse. [http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/spotlights/story.html?id=b78b4958-bf9c-4d93-85b8-16ed6546e29d Q&A with Rob Halford] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012115916/http://canada.com/montrealgazette/spotlights/story.html?id=b78b4958-bf9c-4d93-85b8-16ed6546e29d|date=12 October 2007}}. ''[[Montreal Gazette]]'', 1 August 2007.</ref> the estate was also home to [[Noddy Holder]].<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2010/01/09/why-metal-god-will-never-forget-his-roots/ |title= Why Metal God will never forget his roots |work=Express & Star|date=9 January 2010|access-date=4 July 2022}}</ref>

===Judas Priest===
{{Main|Judas Priest}}

[[File:Rob Halford1984.jpg|thumb|upright|Halford in 1984]]
[[File:Judas Priest Retribution 2005 Tour Rob Halford1.jpg|thumb|upright|Halford performing with Judas Priest, 2005]]
Halford was introduced to Judas Priest bassist and co-founder [[Ian Hill]] by his sister Sue, who was dating Hill at the time.{{cn|date=March 2025}} Halford, a manager of a men's clothing store,<ref>{{Citation|last=Loudwire|title=Judas Priest – Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?|date=28 May 2014|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MLK57NbQmo|access-date=15 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311161655/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MLK57NbQmo|archive-date=11 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> joined the band as singer, bringing with him drummer [[John Hinch (musician)|John Hinch]] from his previous band Hiroshima. Halford and Hinch played their first show with Judas Priest in May 1973 at the Townhouse in [[Wellington, Shropshire|Wellington]], Shropshire. The show was recorded and part of it released in 2019 on the compilation ''Downer-Rock Asylum'' on the Audio Archives label.

In 1974, he made his recording debut on the band's first album ''[[Rocka Rolla]]''. He continued to front Judas Priest throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In 1990, Halford emerged with all-new tattoos, including a bent Judas Priest cross on his right arm and ring around his other, as well as a few on his shoulders. He also began shaving his head.

On the last date of the tour for ''Painkiller'' in August 1991 at a show in [[Toronto]], Halford rode onstage on a large [[Harley-Davidson]] motorcycle, dressed in motorcycle leathers, as part of the show. The stage riser malfunctioned and he collided with a half-raised drum riser and fell off it, breaking his nose in the process.<ref name="invented" /> He was left unconscious for a short time while the band was performing the first song. After regaining consciousness, Halford returned and finished the show.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ling|first=Dave|title=Judas Priest: The Making of Painkiller|publisher=Daveling.co.uk|date=25 December 2003|access-date=20 July 2007|url=http://www.daveling.co.uk/docpriest.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041107151207/http://www.daveling.co.uk/docpriest.htm|archive-date=7 November 2004}}</ref> Halford had been wanting to do a solo project and had the blessing of his band members to do so. A studio executive told him he would have to technically 'resign' from Judas Priest to do so and he wrote a statement citing his interest in a solo project. The letter was leaked and taken out of context in that he was quitting the band. Due to personal challenges with conflict, he was unable to clarify what happened and it was over ten years before he reconnected with the band and rejoined.<ref>''Confess pg 244''</ref>

===Fight===
Shortly after Halford's departure, he formed the band [[Fight (band)|Fight]] with Judas Priest drummer [[Scott Travis]], bassist Jack "Jay Jay" Brown and guitarists Brian Tilse and [[Russ Parrish]]. The first album ''[[War of Words (Fight album)|War of Words]]'' was released in 1993, followed by the half live, half remixes EP ''[[Mutations (Fight album)|Mutations]]'' in 1994. A tour took place in support of the album in 1994. The second album ''[[A Small Deadly Space]]'' was released in 1995, with a tour taking place in support of that album as well. While ''War of Words'' was a straightforward metal record, ''A Small Deadly Space'' had a grungier sound, making it less appealing to fans who had developed a taste for ''War of Words''. As the band were preparing to begin work on the third album, they split up, thus ending their business with their label [[Epic Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/309445-Fight|title=Fight|work=Spirit of Metal}}</ref> A brief reunion with half of the original members took place on 20 December 1997 for a one-off performance before disbanding once again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1429872/rob-halford-reunites-with-members-of-fight/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821003008/http://www.mtv.com/news/1429872/rob-halford-reunites-with-members-of-fight/|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 August 2020|title=Rob Halford Reunites with Members of Fight|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=24 December 1997}}</ref> In a 2015 interview, Halford contemplated Fight's reformation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scenestr.com.au/music/judas-priest-back-in-australia-for-soundwave|author=Neumann, Carl|title=Judas Priest: Back In Australia For Soundwave|work=scenestr|date=5 February 2015 |access-date=5 February 2015}}</ref>

===2wo===
In 1997, Halford collaborated with guitarist [[John 5 (guitarist)|John Lowery]] to form an [[Industrial music|industrial]]-influenced band called [[2wo]]. They released their only album ''[[Voyeurs (album)|Voyeurs]]'' in 1998, which was produced by [[Dave Ogilvie]] and released on [[Trent Reznor]]s [[Nothing Records]] label.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chaoscontrol.com/rob-halford/|author=Gourley, Bob|title=Rob Halford of Judas Priest talks about his late 90s project 2wo|work=Chaos Control|year=1998}}</ref>

===Halford===
In 1999, Halford returned to his metal roots and formed a solo band. The album ''[[Resurrection (Halford album)|Resurrection]]'' was released in 2000 to critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metaljazz.com/2006/01/rob_halford_interview_2000.php|author=Burk, Greg|title=Rob Halford interview, 2000|work=MetalJazz|date=16 August 2000}}</ref> The band embarked on a tour with [[Iron Maiden]] and [[Queensrÿche]] to support the album. A live album titled ''Live Insurrection'' was released in 2001. It was followed up by the second album ''[[Crucible (album)|Crucible]]'' in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/halford-crucible-2495937266.html|author=Begrand, Adrien|title=Halford: Crucible|work=[[PopMatters]]|date=9 December 2002}}</ref> In 2010, Halford released a live DVD titled ''Live in Anaheim''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/halford-live-in-anaheim-film-due-in-september/|title=Halford ''Live in Anaheim'' Film Due in September|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=24 March 2009|access-date=24 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/halford-live-in-anaheim-dvd-preview-clip-available/|title=Halford: 'Live In Anaheim' DVD Preview Clip Available|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=5 May 2010|access-date=5 May 2010}}</ref> and the fourth studio album ''[[Halford IV: Made of Metal]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/halford-made-of-metal-album-details-revealed/|title=Halford: ''Made Of Metal'' Album Details Revealed|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=3 September 2010|access-date=3 September 2010}}</ref>

===Reunion with Judas Priest===
[[File:HalfordMiamiDileo.jpg|thumb|upright|Halford performing in 2014]]
Halford's reunion with Judas Priest came about from years of speculation about when he was no longer in the line-up, at least since the release of the ''Resurrection'' album, which some critics{{who|date = September 2010}} claimed sounded more like Judas Priest than the band's previous album ''[[Jugulator]]'' (1997). Halford initially ruled it out,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nyrock.com/interviews/halford_int.htm|title=Interview with Rob Halford – Part Two|publisher=Nyrock.com|access-date=10 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309065906/http://www.nyrock.com/interviews/halford_int.htm|archive-date=9 March 2012}}</ref> but then reconsidered, stating in 2002 that "Gut instinct tells me that at some point it will happen".<ref>Hoaksey, Mark: "Interview with Rob Halford", ''Power Play'' Issue 35, July 2002.</ref>

In July 2003, Halford returned to Judas Priest and embarked on a tour in 2004 in celebration of his return. The band released ''[[Angel of Retribution]]'' in 2005. A world tour accompanied the release and marked the band's 30th anniversary. In 2008, ''[[Nostradamus (album)|Nostradamus]]'' was released.

In 2011, Judas Priest embarked upon what was billed as their final world tour as a group, titled the "Epitaph" tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=05E3D999-903B-49F0-A8D2-C4A2431C9B2D|title=Judas Priest announce farewell EPITAPH World Tour!!|publisher=Judaspriest.com|date=7 December 2010|access-date=19 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213094148/http://judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=05E3D999-903B-49F0-A8D2-C4A2431C9B2D|archive-date=13 December 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequent to the tour's announcement, Halford stated that he would continue to move forward with his solo band.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rob Halford on Judas Priest's Final Tour|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=150583|access-date=8 December 2010|publisher=Blabbermouth|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211211545/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=150583|archive-date=11 December 2010}}</ref>

Despite the "final tour" announcement in 2011, Halford and Judas Priest (minus [[K. K. Downing]], who left the group prior to the Epitaph tour)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=31894B27-BD13-43BA-84F0-6A11B4F9D835 |title=News – K.K. DOWNING retirement Press Release |publisher=JudasPriest.com |date=20 April 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011}}</ref> recorded another album, ''[[Redeemer of Souls]]'', which was released in 2014, the album supported by a concert tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-to-release-redeemer-of-souls-album-in-july-title-track-available-for-streaming/|title=Judas Priest to Release ''Redeemer of Souls'' Album in July; Title Track Available for Streaming|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=28 April 2014|access-date=28 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-redeemer-of-souls-track-listing-revealed/|title=Judas Priest: ''Redeemer of Souls'' Track Listing Revealed|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=2 May 2014|access-date=2 May 2014}}</ref>

In 2017, Judas Priest began to work on another studio album with Halford. The album ''[[Firepower (album)|Firepower]]'' was released 9 March 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-to-release-firepower-album-north-american-tour-announced/|title=Judas Priest to Release ''Firepower'' Album; North American Tour Announced|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=23 October 2017}}</ref>

===Live appearances===
[[File:Robhalford03.jpg|thumb|upright|Halford often rides a motorcycle onstage.]]
Halford performed as the vocalist for [[Black Sabbath]] for three shows. He replaced [[Ronnie James Dio]] for two nights in November 1992, when Dio elected not to open a show for [[Ozzy Osbourne]]. Halford also filled in for Osbourne in Black Sabbath on 26 August 2004 (one day after Halford's 53rd birthday) at an [[Ozzfest]] show in [[Camden, New Jersey]], since Osbourne could not perform due to [[bronchitis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ozzy-osbourne-replaced-by-rob-halford-at-black-sabbath-s-camden-gig|title=Ozzy Osbourne Replaced By Rob Halford at Black Sabbath's Camden Gig|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=26 August 2004|access-date=1 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227083539/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ozzy-osbourne-replaced-by-rob-halford-at-black-sabbath-s-camden-gig|archive-date=27 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Halford joined [[Sum 41]] on stage in 2001 for a televised concert for MTV's 20th anniversary with drummer [[Tommy Lee]] to perform "[[You've Got Another Thing Comin']]" as the final song of a [[Medley (music)|medley]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/rob-halford-tommy-lee-broke-sum-41/|title = The Night Rob Halford + Tommy Lee Broke Sum 41|website = [[Loudwire]]| date=10 March 2021 }}</ref>

Halford joined [[Metallica]] on stage three times where they performed the song "Rapid Fire"; in 1994 on the last date of the [[Shit Hits the Sheds Tour]], in 2011 at [[The Fillmore]] for the band's 30th anniversary celebration and in 2013 at the fifth annual [[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]] Golden Gods awards in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/video-rob-halford-joins-metallica-on-stage-for-judas-priest-classic/|title=Video: Rob Halford Joins Metallica on Stage for Judas Priest Classic|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=3 May 2013|access-date=3 May 2013}}</ref>

Halford joined [[Pantera]] on stage twice. The first performance was in 1992 where he sang on the songs "Metal Gods" and "Grinder",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/rob-halford-there-was-only-one-pantera|author=Rob Halford (Metal Hammer)|title=Rob Halford: 'There was only one Pantera'|work=[[Louder Sound]]|date=11 March 2019|access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> and again in 1997 where he sang on "Grinder".

Halford joined [[queercore]] band [[Pansy Division]] on stage in July 1997 to perform the song "[[Breaking the Law]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2016/nov/02/blurt-soundtrack-my-life/|author=Hamlin, Andrew|title=Pansy Division's Chris Freeman on Beatles, Kiss, and Trump|website=[[San Diego Reader]]|access-date=2 November 2016|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20161103124950/https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2016/nov/02/blurt-soundtrack-my-life/|archive-date=3 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/rob-halford-pansy-division-breaking-the-law-cover-pride/|author=DiVita, Joe|title=That Time Rob Halford Joined Queercore Band Pansy Division at Pride Event Before Coming Out referral|website=[[Loudwire]]|access-date=29 March 2025|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241222183158/https://loudwire.com/rob-halford-pansy-division-breaking-the-law-cover-pride/|archive-date=22 December 2024}}</ref>

Halford joined [[Babymetal]] on stage on 18 July 2016 at the [[Alternative Press Music Awards]] in [[Cleveland]] where they performed a medley of "[[Painkiller (Judas Priest song)|Painkiller]]" and "Breaking the Law".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/babymetal-judas-priest-rob-halford-alternative-press-music-awards/|author=Hartmann, Graham|title=Babymetal Perform With Judas Priest's Rob Halford at Alternative Press Music Awards|website=[[Loudwire]]|date=19 July 2016 |access-date=19 July 2016}}</ref>

===Other activities===
Halford made an appearance in the 2002 film ''[[Spun]]'' where he played a [[retail clerk]] at a sex shop.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=2155|author=deathbringer|title=Rob Halford Cameo in Spun|website=Metal Underground|date=11 May 2002}}</ref>

In 2006, Halford split with Sanctuary Records and founded Metal God Entertainment to produce and licence any future material. All Fight and Halford material were released in remastered format, which also includes DVDs from both bands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-frontman-halford-creates-new-company-to-produce-and-license-future-solo-releases/|title=Judas Priest Frontman Halford Creates New Company to Produce and License Future Solo Releases|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=June 2006|access-date=1 June 2006}}</ref>

Halford provided [[voice-over]] for the characters General Lionwhyte and the leader of the Fire Barons on the 2009 video game ''[[Brütal Legend]]''. The Baron's appearance and personality are based on Halford.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/brutal-legend-game-featuring-rob-halford-lemmy-kilmister-ronnie-james-dio-due-out-this-fall|title=Brütal Legend Game – Featuring Rob Halford, Lemmy Kilmister, Ronnie James Dio – Due Out This Fall|website=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|access-date=8 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2009/07/01/rob-halford-talks-brutal-legend-in-video-interview/|author=Nunneley, Stephany|title=Rob Halford talks Brutal Legend in video interview|website=[[VG 247]]|date=July 2009|access-date=1 July 2009}}</ref>

Halford developed the clothing line Metal God Apparel with plans to develop retail sales through 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaquarian.com/2009/11/30/interview-rob-halford-metal-god-christmas/3|title=Interview with Rob Halford: A Metal God Christmas|first=Cathy A.|last=Campagna|date=30 November 2009|newspaper=[[The Aquarian Weekly]]}}</ref>

Halford had a brief cameo in a 2010 commercial for [[Virgin Mobile]], where he appeared as a priest.<ref>[http://www.robhalford.com/index.php/news/42-video/192-rob-halford-in-virgin-mobile-commercial Rob Halford in Virgin Mobile Commercial] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725000836/http://robhalford.com/index.php/news/42-video/192-rob-halford-in-virgin-mobile-commercial|date=25 July 2010}}, Robhalford.com (20 July 2010). Retrieved 21 May 2011.</ref>

In 2019, Halford was working on an autobiography. The autobiography, titled ''Confess'', was originally announced to be published in October 2020,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/rob-halfords-autobiography-confess-due-in-fall-2020/|title=Rob Halford's Autobiography, ''Confess'', Due in Fall 2020|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=31 October 2019|access-date=31 October 2019}}</ref> but received its official date for 29 September 2020 via Hachette Books.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/judas-priest-singer-rob-halfords-autobiography-confess-gets-official-release-date/|title=Judas Priest Singer Rob Halford's Autobiography, ''Confess'', Gets Official Release Date|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=27 May 2020|access-date=27 May 2020}}</ref><ref name=RS2020>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/rob-halford-judas-priest-last-word-interview-1003838/ |title=The Last Word: Judas Priest's Rob Halford on the Joys of Leather and 40 Years of 'Breaking the Law' |author=Kory Grow |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date= 8 June 2020 |access-date=15 June 2020}}</ref> In August 2020, Halford confirmed that he had completed an audiobook version of the publication, to be made available at the same time as the physical release.<ref>{{cite web |title=Judas Priest Frontman Rob Halford – "Confess Audio Book Done and Dusted!" |url=http://bravewords.com/news/judas-priest-frontman-rob-halford-confess-audio-book-done-and-dusted |website=bravewords.com |access-date=7 August 2020}}</ref>

Halford has appeared as himself, representing the character Kevin's conscience, in the 2022 American teen comedy-drama ''[[Metal Lords]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/metal-lords-cameos-list |title=Every Hard-Rocking Face You Recognize from 'Metal Lords' |website=[[Netflix]] |last=Cervantes |first=Reyna |date=11 April 2022 |access-date=25 May 2022}}</ref>