Rob Halford, the “Metal God,” Announces 2026 North American Tour
Table of Contents
Judas priest vocalist Rob Halford will embark on a 20-city North American tour in Fall 2026, celebrating his five-decade career in heavy metal. The tour, titled “Heavy Metal Legacy,” will feature Halford performing classic Judas Priest hits alongside solo material.
Early Life adn Career Beginnings
Rob Halford was born on August 14, 1951, in Birmingham, England. AllMusic details his early musical influences, citing Little Richard and Elvis presley as key inspirations. He joined judas Priest in 1973, replacing original vocalist Al atkins, and quickly became known for his powerful vocal range and stage presence.
Judas Priest and Global Success
Judas Priest achieved international recognition throughout the 1970s and 1980s, becoming one of the pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Halford’s distinctive vocals were central to the band’s sound, featured on landmark albums like british Steel (1980) and Painkiller (1990). The band has sold over 50 million albums worldwide, according to the official Judas Priest website. Halford briefly left Judas Priest in the early 1990s to pursue a solo career, releasing the album Halford in 1992.
Solo Career and side Projects
Halford’s solo work explores a range of musical styles, including industrial metal and classical influences.he released several solo albums, including Crucible (2002) and Winterfall (2015). He also formed the band Halford, which released two albums in the late 1990s. In 2003, halford published his autobiography, Heavy Metal Diary, detailing his life and career. The book reached #33 on the New York Times Best Seller list.
“Heavy metal Legacy” Tour Details
The 2026 “Heavy Metal Legacy” tour will begin on September 15th in Seattle, Washington, and conclude on November 10th in Orlando, Florida.Tickets will go on sale on February 27,2026,through Ticketmaster. The tour will feature a full band, including long-time collaborators. Halford stated in a Blabbermouth.net interview on January 22, 2026, “I’m incredibly excited to hit the road again and share my love of heavy metal with fans across North America. This tour is a celebration of everything I’ve achieved over the past five decades.”
Awards and Recognition
Rob Halford has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1998 for Judas Priest’s album Jugulator. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Judas Priest in 2022. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame details the band’s impact on music history. Halford is widely regarded as one of the greatest metal vocalists of all time, earning him the nickname ”Metal God” among fans.
