Former Judas Priest Drummer Les Binks Passes Away
Binks played on the Judas Priest albums 'Stained Class' and 'Killing Machine.'
Les Binks performing with Judas Priest at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Source: YouTube/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)
Les Binks, the former drummer in the iconic heavy metal band Judas Priest, has passed away at the age of 73.
No cause of death has been revealed. His bandmates were first to share the sad news, however, writing in a social media post this afternoon:
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.
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Binks was born in Portadown, Northern Ireland, in August 1951. He began his music career in 1973 by featuring on Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover’s solo album, The Butterfly Ball And The Grasshopper’s Feast.
He joined Judas Priest in 1977, shortly after the band finished recording Sin After Sin. Replacing drummer Simon Phillips, Binks recorded two albums with the British heavy metal band: Stained Class and Killing Machine (both 1978), and the live album Unleashed In The East (1979), before leaving in 1979.
On the former album, Binks received a writing credit for the song Beyond The Realms Of Death, as well as for the track Killing Machine (which was later renamed Hell Bent For Leather).
After leaving Judas Priest, Binks went on to join bands including Lionheart, Tytan, Raw Glory, and many others.
In 2017, Binks began performing Judas Priest songs with a new band called Les Binks’ Priesthood. Musicians, including David Ellefson of Megadeth fame and Hostile guitarist A.J. Mills, played with the drummer on the project.
In 2022, Binks, along with his Judas Priest bandmates, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band received the Award for Musical Excellence.
On the band’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction on 5 November 2022, Binks played with the band—marking his first appearance with Judas Priest in 43 years. It was one of his final public appearances before his passing.
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