He says they are veterans, but young at heart. Heavy metal band Judas Priest celebrated 50 years on the scene before the Covid pandemic. At that time, they should have come to Slovenia as part of the tour, but similarly to a number of other concerts and events, their visit also fell into the water. They are now coming to Ljubljana on July 12th. This will be the second visit of the band, who has a rich journey behind and is considered one of the largest heavy metal bands in the world. We spoke to bassist Ian Hill.

We are talking about the 50th anniversary of the group, but in fact it is already the 52nd. Is it difficult for a group with several members to endure, or rather to exist for 50 years? Were there many ups and downs along the way?
Oh, both! Especially during the early years. As you pave your way, you search for your place under the sun, as you search in music. When you wait to earn enough to be able to make a living from your work. It was necessary to live, to invest in a band, in equipment, in music… But that’s the beginning of everything and for everyone. I remember that we went on our first real vacation in the true sense of the word after ten years. And when we finally released the first record and the critics said it wasn’t as good as we thought ourselves (laughs). And the members also came and went. Some left, but later came back etc. It was hard, for example, when Rob left, when he embarked on a solo career, but then returned. But looking back, it was nice and I wouldn’t replace it. It was a kind of magical journey. When success comes, you appreciate it even more because of what was on the way.

You are the only founding member of the group. Are you privileged in the band because of that?
No, but I wouldn’t mind to be (laughs). Well, neither is anyone else. We have democracy (laughs). We are friends, this is definitely helpful in the operation of the band. Friendship has always been a kind of red thread in our group.  

Do you ever wonder if the band’s path and success would be different or what it would be like if the band remained the same all these years? Would your songs, genre be the same?
This is an interesting question. Hard one, actually. I should think a little. Yes, I think it would be the same or at least similar. The thing is, some of the members who left the band later came back. However, I might also mention in this connection that the departures of the members were not due to any special divisions, but were caused more by force majeure. Different things and situations that life brings.

You have multiple awards, but surprisingly not as many as we would think  on the basics of the large number of your fans and hits. Is there another one you don’t have? Which would you like?
Oh, yeah, it’s always some yet (laughs). Grammy for example. Otherwise, I think after so many years on the scene, we don’t work for awards, but for fans. You don’t look at the competition that much anymore either, but the priority is really the fans. Well, of course, it’s always nice when you get it.

You said earlier that the members were leaving the band, some came back… Is the band in contact with former members? Maybe them will also be guests at one of your concerts on the stage anniversary?
This would be very difficult, especially because of the logistics, organization, coordination,… when you travel around the world. In connection with the 50th anniversary, impossible at all. But we are still friends with Alan Atkins, Chris Campbell for example. About others, I haven’t seen some of them for years. Who knows what will happen, you never know.

Two years ago, some of your former members formed the group KK’s Priest. What do you think of them?
Kenneth has been on the scene for a long time and it’s nice he is back. I wish them all the best.

Rob Halford has published an autobiography. What do you say about this? Would you follow his steps?
My idea is that if I would, I would tackle the first few years in particular. That’s when the most important things happened. That would be most interesting in my opinion, because I think a lot or everything else from later years is already known.

Maybe a movie about Judas Priest will also be done. Who would you like to portray you in it?
Oh, I don’t know. What do you think? Brad Pitt (laughs)?

In the past, you also had motorcycles at stage concerts. Do you still have them?
For 40 years, yes, they still will be.

Twelve years ago, the band had a farewell tour, and then you came back because it was wish of many fans. What next, in the future?
New songs, concerts, we continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary… In short, I would say that we have quite a few years ahead of us.

What about when you’ll really say goodbye one day? Do you see any of your successors? The new Judas Priest?
This, however, is very difficult to say. There are a lot of new bands. Everyone has to succeed on their own, in their own way. I think it will be decided by the fans.

You were in Ljubljana decades ago. Why is the next concert so very late?
It was hard to get to, which is a shame. We were not often in Eastern Europe, for example. If I am right we were in Ljubljana last time in 1999, after the end of the war in the former Yugoslavia. However, we are looking forward to the concert and of course we will do our best.

It will be the best concert, as they say?
Oh, absolutely! Absolutely! (laughter)

Heavy metal musicians at least on the world music scene don’t exactly explain about private life. Would you tell something about Ian Hill when he’s not at concerts?
I’m a family man. I have a wonderful wife and 4 kids, well, the youngest is already 30 and the oldest is 42 years old. We are very close. I’m on the road a lot because of my work, touring. So whenever I’m home, I make up for that time.

Photo: JP collection