In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Tim “Ripper” Owens spoke about his time in JUDAS PRIEST and about band’s recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
Owens recorded two studio LPs with the British heavy metal legends — 1997’s Jugulator and 2001’s Demolition — before the group reunited with Rob Halford.
W asked about JUDAS PRIEST‘s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Owens said: “It’s a shame that they can’t bring in members that were in the band almost 10 years and had a Grammy nomination, two studio records, two live records, a DVD. It’s a shame that they can’t do it. What gets me more than anything is that I haven’t even gotten a call from JUDAS PRIEST on it. I did get a call that an Australian agent was using the name Metal Gods. ‘We’ll let it slip this time, but in the future, you can’t let them use it.’
“That’s your phone call? How about the guys in the band getting into the Hall of Fame that deserve it? There’s never been a call saying, ‘You were a big part of this. Here’s the reasons you’re not being inducted, but you were a big part of us and you’re a big part of the family.’ There wasn’t even a phone call. Not getting in, whatever. Here’s how I look at it: I’m in the Hall of Fame. I was in the band for almost 10 years. When someone says that JUDAS PRIEST is in the Hall of Fame, I sang for JUDAS PRIEST, so I’m basically in the Hall of Fame.
“It just would have been nice to get an e-mail or a call,” he continued. “The only e-mails I ever get are threats. It’s a shame because we’re friends. It’s a shame that’s all management is worried about, instead of, ‘We should probably send a letter to Tim or a bottle of champagne to thank him for his years in the band.’
Asked why the Jugulator album isn’t on Spotify, Owens said: “I don’t know. It’s funny. I won’t make any money from it if they’re being sold on Amazon and Spotify. I wouldn’t make any money from sales. But the guys in the band would. I’m dumbfounded. They would sell. I don’t know if they realize that. They must not need any more money.
“It’s easier to find Demolition, but that was recorded on Atlantic in America and SPV in Europe. Jugulator was on CMC International. That was a new label that went under. But it’s strange to me. I know I’ve talked in the past about re-recording them, but I’m just so busy now. It’s the last thing I want to do.
“It is shocking though that they’ve kind of erased my time. At least [IRON] MAIDEN plays Blaze Bayley stuff live.”
