The Metal Hall of Fame stands for honoring the iconic musicians and music industry executives responsible for making Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music what it is today. To summarizes it recognizes the players who have contributed to legacy in hard rock and metal and who have keep the genre alive and prosperous. The defenders of the faith !
Photo by Fernando Bonenfant
On Jan 24, 2024 Tim Ripper Owens will be inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame in Anaheim, California and his induction is so deserving, on so many levels that I felt the need to put it all out there at a high level.
I have been following Ripper since he proved his vocal worth be getting the gig and fronting one of the greatest metal bands of all time in a time, Judas Priest. To replace one of the all time greatest vocalists Rob Halford is by no means an easy task from a vocal and fan acceptance perspective. Now keep in mind when Ripper got the job in 1996 this was a time where metal vaporized. There was next to no radio or video supporting metal, as the air waves turned to grunge. Ticket and album sales were dismal. Metal was out of fashion. Not only was the scene squashed but Ripper had to face a backlash of stalwart Halford Priest supporters on an ongoing basis, who ironically wanted Halford back whereas Halford was not even interested at the time in metal anymore.
So Judas Priest with Ripper on vocals marched on releasing two studio albums (Jugulator 1997, Demolition 2001) and two live album (98 Live Meltdown 1998, Live in London 2003). Critics have argued the merits of those two studio albums but what many have forgotten was that The Priest Ripper era got a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1999, with the song "Bullet Train" from the album Jugulator, but lost to Metallica's "Better than You".
Two heavy, industrial dark sounding studio albums which polarized the fans at the time but have gotten more love and appreciation and respect over the years.
But wait there is more, even though Ripper's time in Priest ended after 5 years there was an iconic fictional Hollywood movie released that was loosely based on Owens' career called 'Rock Star' in 2001. How many artists can say a movie was made about them?
Even though Halford came back to Priest in the more favorable metal years, Ripper's era was certainly cemented in the bands legacy for all the reasons stated above as well as keeping the band a float in the turbulent metal times.
After Judas Priest, Ripper was brought into Iced Earth in 2003 to fill the shoes of the much loved Matt Barlow. Ripper went on to record and release with the band one of the most highly rated and critically acclaimed metal albums Iced Earth 'The Glorious Burden' . As well as follow up with the stellar 'Framing Armageddon' only to be let go with the return of singer Matt Barlow.
Ripper then went on to release with guitar guru Yngwie Malmsteen two studio albums as well as release tons of music with other bands and projects. To name a few, Beyond Fear, Charred Walls of the Damned, the Three Tremors, Ripper solo album, Spirits of Fire, A New Revenge and so on.
Today Ripper has come full circle as the lead vocalist for former Judas Priest's guitarist's K.K. Downing's high profile band KK's Priest. And most recently release two knock out studio albums with this band, 'Sermons of the Sinner' (2021) 'The Sinner Rides Again' (2023).
In summary Tim 'Ripper' Owens will be inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame for his magnitude of musical output, his perseverance, talent, accolades and miles on the road in keeping metal alive.
Jimmy Kay
The Metal Voice
Clifton, NJ, (December 19, 2023) – The 2024 7TH Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala “The most important night in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal” will take place on January 24, 2024, at the Marriott Delta Garden Grove, Anaheim, CA, and will be hosted by radio Icon / 2024 Metal Hall of Fame Inductee Eddie Trunk, and entertainment personality Cathy Rankin.
The event will include a special 40th Anniversary Induction for Eddie Trunk, with surprise guests, live music performances, and an All-Star Jam.
2024 METAL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:
EDDIE TRUNK (Special 40th Anniversary Induction)
MICK MARS (Special video induction)
SEBASTIAN BACH (Inducted by Wendy Dio)
TIM “RIPPER” OWENS (KK’s Priest, Judas Priest, Iced Earth)
CARLOS CAVAZO (Quiet Riot)
PENELOPE SPHEERIS (Producer/Director: Decline of Western Civilization, Wayne’s World)
CELOPATRA RECORDS
MIKEAL MAGLIERI - WHISKY a Go Go
BIOHAZARD
SURPRISE GUESTS, PERFORMANCES, & ALL STAR JAM!!
GET TICKETS HERE:
“The 2024 Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala is going to be another exciting night, with some legendary artists performing and sharing some great stories. Held Hostage, Deconstruct, and Sergio Michel will be providing some great performances as well,” says Metal Hall of Fame President Pat Gesualdo.
BLACKENED®, the award winning whiskey from Metallica, is an official sponsor of the 2024 Annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala and will have a special sampling experience.
ABOUT THE METAL HALL OF FAME
The Metal Hall of Fame is a non profit, volunteer organization dedicated to forever enshrining the iconic musicians and music industry executives responsible for making Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music what it is today. Their contribution to the genre is invaluable, and they continue to inspire fans throughout the world, from generation to generation.
100% of proceeds from Metal Hall of Fame events go to preserving Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Music for future generations, and also bring free music programs to help special needs children and wounded veterans in health facilities and community centers.
ABOUT SWEET AMBER DISTILLING CO.
Established in 2018, Sweet Amber Distilling Co. is a producer of hand-crafted spirits. Helmed by Co-Founder and CEO John Bilello, Sweet Amber launched with the creation of BLACKENED® - a masterful collaboration between late whiskey luminary Dave Pickerell and rock icons Metallica, which is now available in all 50 states and parts of Canada, with plans to expand rapidly. Sweet Amber is a nimble, dynamic organization that is completely virtual, allowing a greater flexibility, efficiency, and geographic coverage across the U.S. with depth of experience in the spirits and music industries.
For more information, please visit www.metalhalloffame.org
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