JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford is celebrating a major personal milestone: four decades of sobriety.
On Tuesday, January 6, the 74-year-old metal legend shared a heartfelt video message reflecting on his journey.
“ Hi, everyone. Today I stand here with deep gratitude and thankfulness as I celebrate 40 years of sobriety,” Halford said. “Four decades ago, I made a decision to change the entire course of my life, stepping out of darkness into the light, toward the future I couldn’t see. As I’ve said before, it wasn’t easy, and still isn’t.
“Recovery asks for complete honesty, humility and a willingness to grow one day at a time. With the love and support from my higher power, my family, friends and fans helping me guiding the way, I kept moving forward.
“Over these years, I’ve learned that sobriety isn’t just about staying clean, it’s the presence of clarity, purpose and connectivity — a gift of showing up for my life each day for the people I love. I’m grateful for the person I became and every challenge I’ve faced that made me stronger.
“To those of you who may be considering that first step on to the journey with me, I hope that my own journey proves that recovery is possible. Hope is real, and each day at a time is a chance to begin again.
“I love you.”
Back in 2022, he spoke to Spain’s Mariskal Rock about how he’s managed to resist the urge to relapse since 1986. He explained: “I think about it all the time. It’s an addiction. When I’m watching the Phoenix Cardinals play on TV the other day, there’s constantly adverts for beer and for alcohol and stuff. And I know it’s there. And it’s a temptation. So you have to have all of the mental tools ready to get you through that instance. ‘Cause it’s all about instances. And I live one day at a time. I’ve lived one day at a time for [more than] 35 years now. And that’s all that matters. It’s the moment. You live in the moment — not yesterday, not tomorrow; it’s now. And you have to be ready for when that little beer devil comes on your shoulder and goes, ‘Come on, Rob. Have a little drink of beer.’ ‘Fuck off.’ [Laughs] Because I don’t wanna feel that way again, man. I don’t want to be that person. I was miserable. I wasn’t happy. I was bad to people. I don’t wanna go through that again. So that’s also part of my finding a balance in my day-to-day life.”
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