It's hard to believe it was 30 years ago that I first heard Judas Priest's "Living After Midnight" on AM radio. What? Heavy metal on the radio? Their album, "British Steel," was actually radio friendly, and it wasn't so long before that such music was simply called "hard rock." But wow, Heavy Metal on my radio!Judas Priest (like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and soon thereafter, Iron Maiden) paved the metal brick road. It's not surprising, then, in this day of legendary music artists resting a bit on their laurels, to see Judas Priest cash in on what made them legends, too. The band is celebrating the 30th anniversary of that landmark album, British Steel, with a world tour, one that passed through Houston on Friday, July 24. It was less than a year ago that I first took Lisa and the boys to see them, so you know we were all present and accounted for at the Verizon Wireless Theatre show, as well.
The Metal Gods played the "Steel" album in its entirety. What a treat to hear it live, with track after pounding track, including "Breaking The Law," "You Don't Have To Be Old To Be Wise," "United," and the one that set the whole metal genre in motion, "Living After Midnight."
The tour is the band's way of thanking fans for the last 35 years, but they didn't just play songs from the British Steel album. They have a new live album out, called "A Touch Of Evil: Live," filled almost entirely with live versions of songs not previously put to disc. But many classics were represented Friday, too, including Kevin's favorite, "The Ripper," "Diamonds and Rust," and "You've Got Another Thing Coming."
This show was even better than the last one (and we were in the 4th row then!), with so many classics being churned out. Great show, great sound, and a great performance.
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. David Coverdale and his current lineup he calls Whitesnake opened the event. Not bad, but um, that wimpy 80s hits stuff has gotta go. Ah, but Lisa, and a whole lot of other girls liked 'em, so... yeah.
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