Sad news for the metal world today, as legendary drummer Les Binks has passed away at the age of 73. Best known for his work with Judas Priest during their meteoric rise in the late 1970s, Binks leaves behind a legacy that helped shape the very sound of heavy metal.
Born in Northern Ireland, Les Binks joined Judas Priest in 1977 and played on three of their most iconic releases: Stained Class (1978), Killing Machine (also released as Hell Bent for Leather in the US, 1978), and the blistering live album Unleashed in the East (1979). His technical skill, speed, and dynamic range brought a new level of precision and intensity to the band’s sound — a sound that would go on to define an era.
For many fans and musicians, Unleashed in the East stands as one of the greatest live metal albums ever recorded. Alongside Rob Halford’s soaring vocals, it was Binks’ drumming — a seamless mix of proto-metal double bass power and jazzy finesse — that propelled the performance into legend. It remains a benchmark in live metal recordings to this day.
Though Binks’ time with Priest was relatively short, his influence runs deep. His drumming during that period laid the groundwork for countless metal drummers to come. Yet, as many fans have noted, he never quite received the recognition he truly deserved.
Outside of Judas Priest, Binks also played with Lionheart, Axis Point, Tytan, and more recently with KK’s Priest, reuniting with former bandmate K.K. Downing. In 2022, he was inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame — a long overdue honour for a drummer whose contributions were nothing short of foundational.
Rest in peace, Les.
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