Judas Priest - War Pigs Sabbath Tribute

[gortex]

As a warm up to tomorrows Black Sabbath tribute at Villa Park Priest have released their version of War Pigs , they're currently on tour and couldn't make tomorrows show so this is their tribute to Ozzy and the boys.
 

A little note about Rob Halford.

Back in the day a friend from another band had a recording studio in his garage at home , he was putting together an album and more in jest than anything else invited Rob to come down and do some vocals , if you don't ask you don't get.

As it happens Rob turned up , he was a bit taken aback at the setup but nevertheless did the recording , mate said Rob was good humoured and a really nice bloke and judging from the recordings I heard on top form.

[FCD]

I met the whole band, including Halford, and a number of the crew one night at a hotel we were staying at (snowed in) in Cheyenne, WY.  Had been to their concert that evening, and it was a crazy combo.  It was a double-headliner show (we didn't see the warmup gig because we got there late due to the storm).  The headliners were Alabama (first), and then Judas Priest.  It was a great show (and a great combo, surprisingly).  We had great 'seats', basically front row passes.  I worked on the radio at the time, and my buddy worked in a big time music store.  We both had a fair amount of industry influence, so we scored some great tickets.

There was a huge snowstorm that night and we had come from the western side of the State.  So, we'd gone through the worst of the storm by the time we got there, and it was BAD!  I figured we'd never get out of there that night, but there was nowhere to stay; most of the hotels were booked solid.  We finally managed to get a room at the Hilton, but the only thing they had left was a suite because 'someone' had reserved the whole rest of the floor.  We had no idea who, and they weren't telling.  The anonymous group's reservation wasn't 100%, but in order to find out we were told we'd have to wait until after 11pm (only hope at getting a cheaper room).  We had barely enough money left for beer after paying for that damn expensive room.  Anyway, went to see the show which was awesome, and then got to our hotel room.  By then all the roads in the area had been closed.  It was a total mess!

Just after midnight we heard a whole gang of people coming through the hallways.  Looking outside, it was Judas Priest and crew.  Cool!  We were standing there in the hall telling these guys "Hey!  Great show!" and they were all 'thanks!", etc.  Then Halford comes around the corner.  He points at me and my buddy, 'Butch', and says..."Hey, I know you guys!  You guy's were the ones down in front at the show who couldn't sing for shit!!!", and he laughs.  We said..."Yeah, that was us!".  He said..."So where do you get some beer around this place?".  It was Sunday, and all the bars/liquor stores closed early on Sundays back then.  So, we told them we had some we could share, so they invited us over to their rooms.  Got to meet them, and the crew.  Got some autographs.  Nothing too crazy; had a few laughs and a couple beers.  Good bunch of guys.

Pretty cool experience overall.  Totally one of those...'being in the right place at the right time'...moments.