Former JUDAS PRIEST drummer Les Binks has died at the age of 73.
Earlier tonight (Monday, April 14),the band released the following statement via social media: " 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..."
Binks played drums on PRIEST's "Stained Class", "Hell Bent For Leather" (released as "Killing Machine" in the United Kingdom) and "Unleashed In The East" albums.
RIP Les Binks. Great drummer and nice person. I met him almost 10 years ago in London when he played a local festival in Richmond with a folk rock band.
Chip Z'Hoy wrote: ↑
LI is a gentleman and scholar but that “Parasite” take is wild!
As a huge Priest fan , one thing I found out that some of you may find interesting:
While with Priest , Les made a home demo of a song. At a band rehearsal, Binks picked up a guitar to show the band the song. The band loved it, and Halford crafted the lyrics and title and gave the world the incredible -
Beyond The Realms Of Death \m/
BernieTaupson wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 2:48 am
Also did the original KK’s Priest shows but dropped out when they did the first album, sadly.
When I heard Les was involved with KKs new band, I had hopes they'd write at least some more classic sounding JP songs similar to SC and HBFL.
But no, every song was cliche paint-by-number metal boring-ness...lame...
It's so weird.
The painkiller album and tour did not sell shit and they do have several million plus selling classice albums, yet both Priest and KK are convinced all new output should sound like painkiller...
At least with Kiss they only said each new album sounded like a cross between Destroyer and Creatures...
El Vampiro Blanco wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 10:54 pm
It's so weird.
The painkiller album and tour did not sell shit and they do have several million plus selling classice albums, yet both Priest and KK are convinced all new output should sound like painkiller...
Painkiller was the last time Priest was trying to be current and hip. Also, they have a drummer that limits what they can do because he doesn't even try to swing. He just can't play Les's and Dave's stuff right. I think the last two are good and the songs more varied but the drumming makes everything sound like Painfiller.
Chip Z'Hoy wrote: ↑
LI is a gentleman and scholar but that “Parasite” take is wild!
jens wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 5:33 am
You and similar dumbasses being too stupid to appreciate the mighty PAINKILLER at the time, doesn't matter much to the world as it is in 2025.
Painkiller just ahead of Firepower and Turbo x2 rounding out the top 5. Fine, let them remake Painfiller here and there as long as we get as many songs in the style of the mighty Turbo. Or at least about having sex in Porsches. Hold onto your seats and buckle in, this is .....
Chip Z'Hoy wrote: ↑
LI is a gentleman and scholar but that “Parasite” take is wild!
