Former Judas Priest drummer Les Binks dead at 74
Former Judas Priest drummer Les Binks has died at the age of 74. He served in the group from 1988 to 1979.
The band confirmed the news on their Instagram on April 15th, writing, “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…..”
No information has been provided regarding Binks’ cause of death.
In 2022, Binks was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with several of his Judas Priest bandmates, Rob Halford, Ian Hill, Glenn Tipton, and Scott Travis, as well as former members K.K. Downing and Dave Holland.
Binks sat at the drum kit for Judas Priest’s Stained Class, Hell Bent For Leather (released as Killing Machine in the United Kingdom) and Unleashed In The East albums before departing the band at the end of the latter’s recording process.
Binks later revealed why he left the band at that point, telling guitarist KK Downing’s official website that the making of the live album “caused a rift between me and [Judas Priest’s] manager and ultimately led to my decision to leave the band. I just didn’t see the point in continuing to work with a band whose manager didn’t want me to receive any payment for that live album.”
He continued: “A completely ludicrous scenario. It’s a classic heavy metal live album which I believe eventually went platinum and he didn’t want me to receive a penny for it. Crazy fucker. But that’s what happens if a band allows someone like that to manage them — they lose members. So exit drummer number four.”
Binks revealed that his induction to the Hall of Fame, along with his bandmates, allowed him to connect with Downing, in particular, someone who he hadn’t spoken to since 2017.
Downing later described the experience of regroupring with Binks as “great,” later calling him “one of the greatest drummers in the world and a good friend and a great guy.”
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