Les Binks, former drummer of Judas Priest, has died at the age of 73.
The band confirmed Binks’ passing in an official Facebook statement on Monday (April 14th): “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…”
Following numerous drummers to play in Priest during the band’s formative years, Binks was a member from 1977 through 1979 and recorded two studio albums while behind the kit: Stained Class (1978), and Killing Machine/Hell Bent for Leather (1978).
Binks also performed on Judas Priest’s iconic 1979 live album Unleashed in the East, which eventually led to his departure from the band due to royalty disputes with the group’s manager at the time.
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Speaking on his exit from the band in an interview for K.K. Downing’s official website [via Blabbermouth], Binks said that the live album “caused a rift between me and [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 said. “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 reconnected with Downing — another former member of Priest — in 2017, and both were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Priest in 2022 along with Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill, Scott Travis, and the late Dave Holland.
“It was a bit surreal because this all came out of the blue,” said Binks of Priest’s induction in an interview with The Metal Crypt in 2022. “They included me on that. They recognized me on that level, which is good. Of course, K.K., who was one of the finer members of the band, left in 2011. We were both included.”
Prior to Priest, Binks played with Eric Burdon of The Animals and Roger Glover of Deep Purple, as well as in the pop band Fancy. After exiting Priest, he briefly joined the bands Lionhart and Tytan, He also played in various cover bands throughout the years, and formed Les Binks’ Priesthood in 2017 to perform Judas Priest classics on the road.
See Judas Priest’s official statement on Binks’ passing below, as well as Binks’ Rock Hall induction speech.