Reverently nicknamed the “Metal God” by Judas Priest’s vast legion of fans all over the globe, Rob Halford is one of the finest and most respected metal vocalists of all time. In 2020, Judas Priest celebrated 50 years of rocking the world as only they can via countless tours, 18 studio albums, six live albums, and some of the genre’s most celebrated songs. With over 50 million albums sold and counting, Priest is deservedly one of heavy metal’s most successful bands in addition to being pioneers of said art.
Rob unleashed an autobiography in 2020 titled Confess. In it, he tells a compelling rags-to-riches tale that leaves no stone unturned regarding both tragedy and triumph. He recently joined me for an entertaining video interview from which this article is taken. The full meal deal can be found at Sweetwater.com/rob-halford-interview.
Do you have a warm-up routine or ritual?
Every singer has a different routine, especially when they’re singing live. Rest in between shows is one of the most important things for me — especially now. When you first start off singing, you can sing every night of the week. But, at this point of my life, I have to adjust the schedule to make sure that when I do go out onstage, I can do the job my brain intends me to do. These days when Priest is touring, we’re pretty much doing a one-or-two-days-on, one-day-off routine because of the way life has an impact on you as a singer. Pacing the set is obviously pretty important, too.
That said, I don’t really have any ritual. I’ve never really warmed up per se; I just have a cup of tea before I go on [laughs] . . . a cup of Yorkshire tea! I also drink tea throughout the show. My beautiful assistant who looks after me on the road, Heather, makes me scalding-hot Throat Coat tea [licorice root and slippery elm bark] with honey, a slice of squeezed lemon, and a little bit of grated fresh ginger root. Ozzy [Osbourne] taught me the ginger thing years ago. We were chatting before he went onstage one night, and I asked him what he was drinking. He said, “This ginger stuff, here, try it.” So, I took a sip, and I could literally feel all the stuff that collects on your vocal cords being pushed away. I immediately went, “That’s great — I’ve gotta start using that,” and I have done ever since.
So, when you see me going off stage as often as I do, it’s not to go to the loo [laughs]; although, at my age, you must go before you go on! Instead, I’m going for a quick sit down and a sip of my tea. I also have one of those Vicks things in my little off-stage “man cave” that’s constantly putting out menthol vapors. It’s all about keeping those airways as clear and as strong as you possibly can.
I also do something that I really wish I could stop, but I can’t — and that’s chewing gum! Wrigley’s make a gum called Airwaves that contains menthol, which helps clear my nasal passages. “Hell-bent for Heather” is always on the side of the stage with a stick of gum at the ready for me. I go through two or three packs a night! It’s one of the tricks of the trade . . .
So, you’re literally chewing gum and singing at the same time?
Yeah, it’s one of the few things I can do! Don’t ask me to do anything else, though [laughs].
Are there any foods or liquids you avoid before singing?
Yeah, I avoid milk because milk can create a lot of phlegm buildup in your throat. I’ve always said that it’s a lot easier for me to sing “Painkiller” as opposed to, say, the acoustic version of “Diamonds and Rust” or “Beyond the Realms of Death,” where you have to hit really clean, clear notes with no phlegm rattling around!
You’re not just hitting those high notes; you’re often
holding them for a considerable amount of time. Do you do any lung-capacity
exercises to help make that possible?
It’s technique, Nick. It’s something you’ve got to work at.
Did you take vocal lessons to help develop that skill?
No, it’s something I developed myself through practice, practice, practice, practice — even now. It’s all about that “10,000 hours rule” thing, or whatever you want to call it. When you sing, you’ve also really got to let go. You can’t be singing and thinking, “Oh no, there’s a really high note coming up, and I don’t think I’m gonna get it.” It’s a constant mind game I think all musicians will attest to.
It’s funny; when I’m singing and going for something difficult, I instinctively know when I’ve got it right. It’s very difficult to describe, but there’s something that happens — there’s this clarity. It’s almost like this Obi-Wan Kenobi thing [laughs]: “Let the metal force be with you!” Let it go. Don’t trap it or control it. Let it be free, let it be natural, let it be organic, let it be real. It’s hard to get to that place, but you can!