by Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford recently opened up about his admiration for the late David Bowie. He revealed his celebrity crush from the 1980s in an interview with WCNC.
Halford was asked about his celebrity crush from that era during the conversation, which took place as Judas Priest previewed their tour stop in Charlotte. His response highlighted his deep appreciation for Bowie’s artistic evolution during that decade.
“Well, whether it’s a crush or a fanboy, I was always a massive fan of David Bowie,” Halford said. “What David Bowie was doing in the ’80s was extraordinary with his dance period. When he went to Australia [to shoot the video for ‘Let’s Dance’] and did all that stuff.”
Halford’s admiration for Bowie extends far beyond the 1980s and represents a profound artistic influence that shaped his career. David Bowie World reported that Halford recalls seeing Bowie perform the Ziggy Stardust tour live in 1973 at Wolverhampton Civic Hall as an “unbelievable” experience. He highlighted Bowie’s conviction and transformative stage persona.
The Judas Priest vocalist has consistently praised Bowie’s ability to reinvent himself throughout his career. Halford has described Bowie as “the master of disguise” for his many evolving characters like Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke. He praised Bowie’s unparalleled imagery and artistry in music, as Ultimate Guitar noted.
Bowie’s influence on Halford went beyond musical inspiration. Academic research revealed that Bowie’s gender-bending style and openness about sexuality resonated within the 1980s pop and rock context. This scene influenced Halford in his own journey as a queer artist navigating a traditionally masculine heavy metal world.
Halford’s respect for Bowie is also reflected in his musical preferences. Rock and Roll Garage highlighted that Halford includes Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars among his favorite albums. He described it as a record that “really took his fans on a journey” and set a high bar for rock artistry.
The interview also touched on Judas Priest’s legacy and their upcoming performances.
