Music Diary – 20th January

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 20th January!

Ian Hill (Judas Priest)

 Happy birthday to Judas Priest bassist Ian Frank Hill, who was born on the 20th January 1951 in West Bromwich (UK)!

Taught by his father, who played in local Jazz bands, Ian Hill learned how to play the double bass. At the age of 19, Ian founded with guitarist Kenny “K.K.” Downing the band Judas Priest. Singer Rob Halford and second guitarist Glenn Tipton joined later. And with drummer John Hinch the debut album “Rocka Rolla“ (1974) was recorded. The LP was anything but a success. With the follow-up “Sad Wings of Destiny” (1976) the group became better known. Classic tracks like “Victim of Changes“, “The Ripper” and “Dreamer Deceiver” should get a fix place on future setlists. The special Judas Priest sound, with two guitars and Halford’s unique voice, has been refined over the years. Due to albums like “Sin After Sin” (1977), „Stained Class“, “Killing Machine” (both 1978) and “British Steel” (1980) the band is conisdered as the pioneer of British Heavy Metal.

Ian Hill has only three songwriting credits („Winter“ and „Caviar and Meths“ – both featured on „Rocka Rolla“ and „Invader“ from „Stained Class“). After the departing of K.K. Downing in 2011, Ian Hill is the sole constant founding member of Judas Priest.

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Music Diary – 29th November

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 29th November!

George Harrison (25th February 1943 – 29th November 2001)

On the 29th November 2001, George Harrison died at the age of 58 years of lung cancer. The Beatles guitarist passed away in Los Angeles. Born on the 25th February 1943 in Liverpool, the very young Harrision joined at the age of 15 a band called The Quarrymen in 1958, which became in 1960 The Beatles. Beside the many hits, which were composed mainly by John Lennon und Paul McCartney, also George Harrision wrote some classics like „While My Guitar Gently Weeps“ (1968), „Here Comes the Sun“ and „Something“ (both 1969). After the break-up in 1970, George Harrison concentrated more on his solo career. After his two albums „Wonderwall Music“ (1968) and „Electronic Sound “ (1969) his third effort „All Things must Pass“ (3-LP-Set) marked his first solo work after the official end of The Beatles. This triple set features also the hit „My Sweet Lord“ (released in November 1970). In 1971 George Harrison organised the charity event „Concert for Bangladesh„, which took place on the 1st August 1971 at the Madison Square Garden in New York. Beside his music career, George Harrison worked also as a film producer. In 1978 he co-founded „HandMade Films„, which produced the classic „Monty Pyhton’s Life of Brian“ (1979).

In 2011, the documentary „George Harrison: Living in the Material World“ by film director Martin Scorsese war released, which earned six nominations at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards and winning two Emmy Awards for „Outstanding Nonfiction Special“ and „Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming“.

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Music Diary – 25th October

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 25th October!

GlennTipton (Judas Priest)

Glenn Tipton was born on the 25th October 1948 in Blackeath, West Midlands (UK). Before becoming the guitarist of the legendary Heavy Metal band Judas Priest, Glenn attended Olive Hill Primary School at the age of five. And as a young boy he was taugt to play the piano by his mother.

At the age of 19, Tipton began to play the guitar – his first instrument was a Hofner acoustic. Later he changed to a Rickenbacker before he could afford a Fender Stratocaster.This one was stolen and he replaced it with a black axe of the same type. Later he also bought a Gibson SG.

Tipton’s first band was called „Shave Em‘ Dry“ – the named changed into „Merlin“ and „Flying Hat Band„. And in April 1974 he joined Judas Priest during the recording sessions for the debut album „Rocka Rolla„. The band was founded by Kenny „K.K.“ Downing (Guitar) and Ian Hill (Bass). The line up that time was completed by Rob Halford (Vocals) and John Hinch (Drums). The title track was the single outtake in August 1974 – the album followed one month later. Judas Priest toured then through Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Denmark. The LP was a flop and also the concerts were not really successful. In November and December 1975 the next album „Sad Wings of Destiny“ was recorded and released on 23rd March 1976. Especially the tracks „Victim of Changes„, „The Ripper“ and „Dreamer Deceiver“ stood out and a great fanbase was created. And in 1977 with „Sin After Sin“ (released on the major label CBS and produced by Deep Purple’s Roger Glover) the band had found its very own sound and metal style which was refined over the years with classic albums like „Stained Class„, „Killing Machine“ (both1978) and „British Steel“ (1980).

In 1990 one of the most outstanding Heavy Metal releases ever, „Painkiller“ (1990), hit the market and this LP is still considered as one of miletstones of this genre.

After some changes in the line up (Rob Halford left the band in 1991 and returned twelve years later, K.K. Downing retired and was replaced by Richie Faulkner in 2011) the latest album „Redeemer of Souls“ (2014) hit the stores and Judas Priest are still touring all around the world.

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Music Diary – 24th August

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 24th August!

In 1990, the british metal band Judas Priest was the subject of a civil lawsuit alleging their recording of the Spooky Tooth song „Better by you, better than me„, which was responsible for the suicide attempts of two young men in Reno, Nevada on the 23rd December 1985. The case was eventually dismissed. The cover version of the Spooky Tooth is on the Judas Priest release „Stained Class“ album.

There are two documenaries about this trial: „Dancing with the Devil“ and „Dream Deceivers„.

Judas Priest – recommendations to buy: