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Former JUDAS PRIEST drummer LES BINKS dead at 73

Image credit: Chaoszine

15-04-2025

Former JUDAS PRIEST drummer Les Binks has died at the age of 73.

Yesterday (Monday, April 14), the band released the following statement via social media: ” We are deeply saddened about the passing of Les and send our love to his family, friends and fans.

“The acclaimed drumming he provided was first class — demonstrating his unique techniques, flair, style and precision.

“Thank you Les – your acclaim will live on…”

Binks played drums on PRIEST‘s “Stained Class”“Hell Bent For Leather” (released as “Killing Machine” in the United Kingdom) and “Unleashed In The East” albums.

After the release of “Unleashed In The East”Binks exited PRIEST and was replaced by ex-TRAPEZE member Dave Holland.

Les later told former PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing‘s official web site that the making of the live album “caused a rift between me and (PRIEST‘s) manager and ultimately led to my decision to leave the band. I just didn’t see the point in continuing to work with a band whose manager didn’t want me to receive any payment for that live album. A completely ludicrous scenario. It’s a classic heavy metal live album which I believe eventually went platinum and he didn’t want me to receive a penny for it. Crazy fucker. But that’s what happens if a band allows someone like that to manage them — they lose members. So exit drummer number four.”

Binks was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in November 2022 along with some of the other former and current members of JUDAS PRIEST.

The PRIEST members that got inducted include current members Rob Halford (vocals), Ian Hill (bass), Glenn Tipton (guitar) and Scott Travis (drums), along with former members BinksDowning and Holland.

In a December 2022 interview with The Metal CryptBinks stated about the experience of being inducted into the Rock Hall: “It was a bit surreal because this all came out of the blue. PRIEST had been put forward for this award — nominated, I think is the word — three times in total. The first two times, they didn’t get through. Third time lucky. It’s up to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame to decide who they’re going to induct. They looked back on the band’s career. It has to go back as far as 25 years. They say who’s been influential on the creative side of things and the band’s legacy has to form — what’s the word? — the band’s identity and led to the success that they achieved. They included me on that. They recognized me on that level, which is good. Of course, K.K., who was one of the finer members of the band, left in 2011. We were both included.”

He continued: “I think there was some nervousness on the management side of things as to how the reunion with K.K. would go because there’s been a lot of anguish between the two sides. I spoke to K.K. before. We flew together to Los Angeles and flew back together. We just decided, we are here at the invitation of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Let’s just be professional about this, just bite your tongue and just get on with giving the audience the performance they came to see. That’s what we did.

“I hadn’t seen them for such a long time,” Les added. “I gave them all a big hug because I never fell out with anyone in the band. I fell out with the band’s management, but not with them. I never had any cross words or any problems with anyone in the band personality-wise or creatively. I know there were issues that K.K. had, especially with Glenn and the management as well, but I didn’t have those issues. I was able to reunite with the guys in the band without any problems at all.

“Of course, I know (current PRIEST guitarist) Richie Faulkner from long before he joined JUDAS PRIEST. It was good to see him again because he lives in America now as well, so I don’t get to see him very often. It was nice to get to meet up with everyone again and actually perform together.”

Downing reconnected with Binks in 2017 for the first time in nearly four decades. Downing later described the experience of meeting his former bandmate as “great” and called Les “one of the greatest drummers in the world and a good friend and a great guy.”

Also former JUDAS PRIEST drummer John Hinch died in 2021, at the age of 73.

JUDAS PRIEST have announced the dates for the “Shield Of Pain” 2025 European tour.

The 12-date trek will kick off on June 14, 2025 in Oslo, Norway and conclude on July 20, 2025 in Oberhausen, Germany.

Tour dates:
June 14 – Tjuvholmen Arena, Hamar, Oslo, Norway
June 17 – Schleyerhalle, Stuttgart, Germany
June 18 – Hessentag Festival, Frankfurt, Germany
July 01 – Summer Festival, Ferrara, Italy
July 03 – Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland
July 07 – Atlas Arena, Lodz, Poland
July 10 – Dalhalla, Rattvik, Sweden
July 13 – Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany
July 15 – Festival De Carcassone, Carcassonne, France
July 17 – Sion Sous Les Etoiles, Sion, Switzerland
July 19 – Rockhal, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
July 20 – Rudolf-Weber-Arena, Oberhausen, Germany

JUDAS PRIEST have released their last studio album, “Invincible Shield” on March 8, 2024,

“Invincible Shield” track listing:
01. Panic Attack
02. The Serpent And The King
03. Invincible Shield
04. Devil In Disguise
05. Gates Of Hell
06. Crown Of Horns
07. As God Is My Witness
08. Trial By Fire
09. Escape From Reality
10. Sons Of Thunder
11. Giants In The Sky

Deluxe edition bonus tracks:

12. Fight Of Your Life
13. Vicious Circle
14. The Lodger

The cover artwork for the CD and vinyl versions of “Invincible Shield” can be found below.

To order “Invincible Shield”, visit shop.judaspriest.com.

Bassist Ian Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and guitarist Glenn Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003. Original guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Faulkner.

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