Les Binks, former drummer for Judas Priest, has passed away at the age of 73.
The band shared the following statement on social media last night (Monday, April 14): “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 served as Judas Priest’s drummer from 1977 to 1979, contributing to three notable releases: Stained Class (1978), Hell Bent for Leather (1979), and the live album Unleashed in the East (also released in 1979). He later reunited with former Priest guitarist K.K. Downing, spending two years (2019–2021) drumming for Downing’s project, KK’s Priest.
In November 2022, Binks was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, joining several other current and former members of Priest in receiving the honor.
In a December 2022 interview with The Metal Crypt, Binks reflected on what it was like to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
He said at the time: “It was a bit surreal because this all came out of the blue. Priest had been put forward for this award — nominated, I think is the word — three times in total. The first two times, they didn’t get through. Third time lucky. It’s up to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame to decide who they’re going to induct. They looked back on the band’s career. It has to go back as far as 25 years. They say who’s been influential on the creative side of things and the band’s legacy has to form — what’s the word? — the band’s identity and led to the success that they achieved. They included me on that. They recognized me on that level, which is good. Of course, K.K., who was one of the finer members of the band, left in 2011. We were both included.”
“I think there was some nervousness on the management side of things as to how the reunion with K.K. would go because there’s been a lot of anguish between the two sides,” he continued. “I spoke to K.K. before. We flew together to Los Angeles and flew back together. We just decided, we are here at the invitation of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Let’s just be professional about this, just bite your tongue and just get on with giving the audience the performance they came to see. That’s what we did.
“I hadn’t seen them for such a long time,” Les added. “I gave them all a big hug because I never fell out with anyone in the band. I fell out with the band’s management, but not with them. I never had any cross words or any problems with anyone in the band personality-wise or creatively. I know there were issues that K.K. had, especially with Glenn and the management as well, but I didn’t have those issues. I was able to reunite with the guys in the band without any problems at all.
