Former Judas Priest Drummer Les Binks Dies at 73

Les Binks, the renowned drummer best known for his pivotal role in Judas Priest’s rise during the late 1970s, has died at the age of 73. News of his passing was confirmed by multiple sources close to the musician, who stated that Binks died following a brief illness, though the exact cause has not been publicly disclosed.

Binks, born in Northern Ireland in 1951, joined Judas Priest in 1977 and was instrumental in shaping the band’s sound during a formative period in heavy metal history. His drumming is featured on three landmark Judas Priest releases: Stained Class (1978), Killing Machine (1978) — also known as Hell Bent for Leather in the U.S. — and the live album Unleashed in the East (1979), which captured the raw intensity of the band’s performances and became one of their best-selling records.

Though his time with the band was relatively short, Binks’ influence on Judas Priest’s style and success was profound. His technical prowess and versatility behind the kit helped define the band’s transition into a harder-edged metal sound that would influence generations of drummers to come. He parted ways with the group in 1979 but remained respected within the heavy metal community, often cited by fans and fellow musicians alike as a key contributor to the genre’s evolution.

In later years, Binks stayed active in the music scene, performing with various bands and participating in Judas Priest tribute projects. In 2017, he briefly reunited with former Priest guitarist K.K. Downing in a new project titled KK’s Priest, though he ultimately did not record with the group.

Tributes have poured in from across the rock and metal world, with former bandmates and fans expressing their admiration for Binks’ talent and his contributions to one of metal’s most enduring legacies.

Les Binks leaves behind a legacy of precision, passion, and power — a drummer whose rhythms helped forge the steel of British heavy metal.

 Judas Priest Drummer Les Binks Dies at 73

Les Binks, the renowned drummer best known for his pivotal role in Judas Priest’s rise during the late 1970s, has died at the age of 73. News of his passing was confirmed by multiple sources close to the musician, who stated that Binks died following a brief illness, though the exact cause has not been publicly disclosed.

Binks, born in Northern Ireland in 1951, joined Judas Priest in 1977 and was instrumental in shaping the band’s sound during a formative period in heavy metal history. His drumming is featured on three landmark Judas Priest releases: Stained Class (1978), Killing Machine (1978) — also known as Hell Bent for Leather in the U.S. — and the live album Unleashed in the East (1979), which captured the raw intensity of the band’s performances and became one of their best-selling records.

Though his time with the band was relatively short, Binks’ influence on Judas Priest’s style and success was profound. His technical prowess and versatility behind the kit helped define the band’s transition into a harder-edged metal sound that would influence generations of drummers to come. He parted ways with the group in 1979 but remained respected within the heavy metal community, often cited by fans and fellow musicians alike as a key contributor to the genre’s evolution.

In later years, Binks stayed active in the music scene, performing with various bands and participating in Judas Priest tribute projects. In 2017, he briefly reunited with former Priest guitarist K.K. Downing in a new project titled KK’s Priest, though he ultimately did not record with the group.

Tributes have poured in from across the rock and metal world, with former bandmates and fans expressing their admiration for Binks’ talent and his contributions to one of metal’s most enduring legacies.

Les Binks leaves behind a legacy of precision, passion, and power — a drummer whose rhythms helped forge the steel of British heavy metal.