Judas Priest will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's Class of 2022. The band will receive the Musical Excellence Award and will be inducted alongside Eminem, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, Eurythmics, and Carly Simon. According to the Rock Hall, the Musical Excellence Award "is given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music."
Judas Priest's current lineup of Rob Halford, Ian Hill, Glenn Tipton, and Scott Travis will be inducted alongside former members K.K. Downing, Les Binks, and Dave Holland. In an interview with EonMusic, Downing said he's thrilled the band finally got into the hall and is very pleased with the lineup they chose.
"I'm particularly delighted because as far as I know, the nominees when we failed last time were me, Glenn, Ian and Rob, and Scott, and Les Binks and Dave Holland. In that case, I'm really quite delighted for my buddies, really; Les and Dave, bless him, even though he's not here. Obviously, a lot of cherished memories, a lot of gigs together, you know.
"They were an integral part for a long time. Dave did a lot; from British Steel onwards, and when you think about it, it's quite a while, through to Ram it Down; through the period of the wonderful decade of the eighties, it was the glory times! Like I say, I'm pleased for Dave, and Les, really. Les was there on those important albums as well."
Downing also said he's not opposed to playing with the band at the nomination. Downing played with Judas Priest between 1970 and 2011.
"I thought about it briefly, when we were nominated, what would happen. But like I say, it's November and a lot of things can happen between now and then, especially with men of an age like us. But I think it's just a question of seeing how everything lies when it comes to them, really, because a lot of things can happen between now and then; a lot of things could get better, but they could get worse, or stay the same, you never know, do you?"
