JUDAS PRIEST Bassist IAN HILL Talks Early Years, ROB HALFORD's Invitation To Join The Band; Audio Available

Wikimetal have posted their latest episode (#224) with the following update:

“This week we are honoured to have on our show, Ian Hill, bass player and founder of one of the biggest Heavy Metal bands ever, Judas Priest! Hill told us several stories including how Rob Halford was invited to join the band. He also told us about the influence that his father had in his life as a musician, about the importance of Judas Priest on the creation of heavy metal and the secret to keep the band together for 45 years.”

Check out the interview here.

The 35th Annual Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards will take place at Turner Hall Ballroom in Milwaukee, WI on April 19th.

The volunteer organization, devoted to promoting musicians in the state, will also for the first time recognize a band from outside Wisconsin, by proclaiming British metal band Judas Priest as the first-ever recipient of the Global Honorary WAMI Hall of Fame Award, reports Piet Levy of the Journal Sentinel.

“Wisconsin has frequently been included on Judas Priest’s seemingly relentless performance itinerary; fans recall the iconic concerts at Alpine Valley in the 1980s, as well as their historic 30th Anniversary British Steel performance at Milwaukee’s Summerfest on the Harley-Davidson stage in 2009,” WAMI president Zoy Begos said in a statement. “When I contacted the band several months ago, their reaction was enthusiastic.” Unfortunately, Judas Priest will not be at the WAMI Awards.

Further details can be found here.