The day I made that announcement on MTV New York, it was completely unmeditated and just a pure, subconscious stream of banter. It was only after I released myself from my f*cking heavy metal prison that I realized what I’d done. I had no idea that it was gonna go around the world like crazy – I was away from [Judas] Priest at the time.
Judas Priest lead singer Rob Halford speaking to The Guardian about the impact of coming out on MTV in 1998 at 46.
Any gay person that has the right time in their life to step forward and let their identity be what it is without any clutter or interference, it’s unbelievable, the elation.
Firstly, you set yourself free. Secondly, all the ammunition and innuendoes, they evaporate. It’s the gay guy from Judas Priest – what can you throw at him now?
There was very little backlash and I was really thrilled by the acceptance. Pure speculation: if I hadn’t come out when I did, and then gone back into Priest, I think I might have stayed hidden, because I love this band so much and I protect it with every fiber of my being.
The world is a much better place now, thank God, but we’ve still got homophobia, racism and these stupid parts of humanity that drive us nuts. You’ve really got to face it head on, so please come out, wherever you are!
Proud and loud.
How about we take this to the next level?
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monty clift
He always comes off as desperate to me. That story he told where he said he voluntarily slept with the wife of an officer or something for several years so he could suck his lollipop afterward was rather pathetic.
abfab
Desperate and pathetic. Be careful with your selection of adjectives. Save those for deekranzeytranz, yourself and other right wing trolls.
missvamp
oh f-off. you’re clearly not a metal fan. he is & always will be a metal god! i love & admire him. i always knew he was gay, even as a kid. it made no difference to me & it never will. he’s one of my fave front men & he is amazing live!!
abfab
Half the audience later went to the nearest leather bars. Good times.
still_onthemark
I read his memoir, “Confess” which is very funny. Not everyone gets to threaten Marie Osmond with a sword. And despite being a “metal god,” he says he’s a diva at heart and was thrilled when he got to meet Madonna (in unusual circumstances).
abfab
”Marie Osmond is so pure, not even Moses could part her knees.”
-Joan Rivers
Fun Red Carpet memories. Miss her.
abfab
Rock memoirs are so much fun to read!!! Page turners!
abfab
Oh shit, I forgot about this one.
”Marie Osmond makes Debbie Boone look like a slut”.
-Joan Rivers
Troyfight
no one is going to say anything about his sexy, revealing pic above him and lenny k – that nice outline? Anyway, overall, Rob has one of the most powerful voices in hard rock – born to do it. Sad how their group got majorly ripped off by wolves in the business back in the 1980s. Anyway, hope he gets in better shape.
abfab
The golden backlight. The sweat. The leather. Quite striking. Yes.
abfab
Freddie Mercury wrote ‘Death On Two Legs” about one such wolf.
Heart had”Barracuda”.