Life as a Metal God with Judas Priest founder Allan Atkins

Jul 17 2009 by Andrew Coleman, Birmingham Mail

IN the world of Heavy Metal Allan Atkins is a legend. But while the band he quit after forming it 40 years ago plays sold out shows in arenas around the world his current outfit will be performing mid-bill at JB’s in Dudley next week.

Al Atkins and Holy Rage will support Oliver/ Dawson Saxon and Demon at the Black Country venue’s Brit Rock festival on July 25. They will headline at Bilston’s Robin 2 on August 12.

But those in the know recognise 61-year-old Al as the founder of rock giants Judas Priest.

He’s now written his life story, Dawn Of The Metal Gods, explaining his place in heavy metal history.

Initially planned as a three or four month project, it has taken four years to complete with the help of co-writer, Neil Daniels.

‘‘He persuaded me to come at it from different angles,’’ explains Al who lives in West Bromwich. ‘‘I was only writing about Judas Priest at first but he realised I’ve got a lot of music history as I’ve been in the business for 45 years.’’

The Bitta Sweet, one of Al’s first bands, supported the likes of David Bowie, Cat Stevens and Long John Baldry’s Bluesology which featured Rod Stewart and Reg Dwight, now better known as Elton John.

The band broke up when guitarist Albert Hinton emigrated to Australia.

Says Al: ‘‘I haven’t seen him for 40 years but next month he’s coming back to England and we’ll be meeting up.’’

The end of The Bitta Sweet led to several other bands before the eventual formation in 1969 of Judas Priest with Bruno Stapenhill, John Partridge and Ernie Chatterway.

‘‘We auditioned for record companies at The George Hotel in Walsall and Robert Plant, who was a friend of mine, was in the audience,’’ Al recalls. ‘‘Led Zeppelin had recently returned from the States where they had just broken through.’’

Priest signed a four year contract with Immediate Records but within a month the company had gone bust.

‘‘It was not a great start for us and on April 20 we played our final gig at the Youth Centre in Cannock,’’ Al recalls.

He resurrected the name the following year when guitarist Kenny ‘KK’ Downing, bassist Ian Hill and drummer John Ellis joined him.

‘‘They were a bit younger than me, but very enthusiastic. Ken used to say ‘I just want to make it big time!’.’’

Despite regular gigging no record deal was forthcoming so in 1973 Al left for an office job in Sutton Coldfield.

‘‘I was married with a kid and we were on the road all the time with our overheads getting bigger and bigger.’’

Vocalist Rob Halford took Al’s place but it was the addition of second guitarist Glenn Tipton which Al believes gave them their distinctive sound putting them on the road to superstardom.

Five of Al’s co-written songs appear on Priest’s first two albums. ‘‘I still receive royalty cheques which keep me ticking over,’’ said the father-of-five and grandfather-of-two.

Al couldn’t stay away from music, forming the band Lion and recording a series of solo albums which are scheduled for re-release. One will include two new tracks recorded by Al’s current band, Holy Rage.

‘‘I don’t regret leaving Judas Priest – but I do regret not having the money the band members now have.’’

Signed copies of Dawn Of The Metal Gods cost £20 plus post and packing from www.alatkins.com or www.myspace.com/alatkinsholyrage

* Ticket Info

BRIT ROCK 2009
July 25: JB’s, Dudley (01384 253597)

HOLY RAGE
August 12: Robin 2, Bilston (01902 401211)