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Ex-Judas Priest drummer Les Binks has died, aged 73
A new statement from the band celebrated his “unique techniques, flair, style and precision” The post Ex-Judas Priest drummer Les Binks has died, aged 73 appeared first on NME.
Les Binks, who was the drummer for Judas Priest during the late ‘70s, has died. He was 73.
According to reports online from outlets including Louder, the drummer passed away last month, although news of his death has only just been shared. Confirmation came from his former Judas Priest bandmates, who shared the update in a new Instagram post.
“We are deeply saddened about the passing of Les and send our love to his family, friends and fans,” it read. “The acclaimed drumming he provided was first class – demonstrating his unique techniques, flair, style and precision. Thank you Les – your acclaim will live on…”
Another tribute came from former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, who said that having the opportunity to perform alongside Binks was “truly a dream come true”.
“It’s with great sadness that I learned of the passing of the beloved Les Binks. I had the incredible honour of meeting and performing with him, along with K.K. Downing and Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens from the mighty Judas Priest legacy, during the unforgettable show at KK’s Steel Mill back in 2019,” he wrote.
“Playing alongside Les was truly a dream come true. His powerful and groundbreaking drumming helped shape the very foundation of speed metal, with iconic performances on tracks like Exciter and so many others that set the standard for generations to come. My deepest condolences to his fans, friends, and family. You will be missed, my friend.”
The drummer was born in 1951 in Portadown, Northern Ireland, and joined the iconic heavy metal group in 1977 as they headed to the US for the first time to celebrate the release of the ‘Sin After Sin’ album.
He released two albums with the metal pioneers in 1978, ‘Stained Class’ and ‘Killing Machine’, and is regarded as helping them tighten their sound from hard rock into their signature style of heavy metal. This influence was particularly seen with the proto-thrash speed incorporated into songs ‘Exciter’ and ‘Hell Bent For Leather’, and in the writing of the classic ‘Beyond The Realms Of Death’.
He departed the line-up in 1979 after they shared ‘Unleashed In The East Live’, but did rejoin them on stage in November 2022 when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
As well as his time in Judas Priest, Binks also worked with Eric Burdon & War and had a brief stint in the US pop group Fancy. Another project he was a part of was The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper’s Feast – which was the solo project of Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover.
At time of writing, no cause of death has been publicly shared.
The post Ex-Judas Priest drummer Les Binks has died, aged 73 appeared first on NME.
