JUDAS PRIEST was inducted into the Hall Of Heavy Metal History on August 2 at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany. The ceremony, which can be seen below, took place just before the iconic metal band performed one of the biggest shows of its current "Firepower" world tour in front of more than 75,000 fans. "We have made sure that JUDAS PRIEST finally gets the induction and respect they truly deserve," said Pat Gesualdo, founder/CEO of the Hall Of Heavy Metal History. "We thank them for the decades of hard work and dedication to heavy metal, an art form they helped establish." An official statement from the band reads: "JUDAS PRIEST are thrilled and honored to accept induction into the Hall Of Heavy Metal History and be amongst so many of our friends. This also sends a great message of inclusion for the metal community around the world, and keeps us defending the metal faith together." The Hall Of Heavy Metal History is a non-profit organization dedicated to enshrining forever those iconic musicians and music industry executives who are responsible for making hard rock and heavy metal music what it is today. Their contribution to the genre is invaluable, and they keep inspiring heavy metal fans throughout the world, from generation to generation. The Hall Of Heavy Metal History throws an annual celebrity benefit gala in January, in Anaheim, California. The Hall also has holds a European annual onstage induction ceremony at Wacken Open Air. The Hall Of Heavy Metal History is part of the non-profit organization D.A.D. (Drums And Disabilities). PRIEST will return to the United States at the end of August for a co-headlining run with fellow classic heavy rockers DEEP PURPLE. The "Firepower" trek is PRIEST's first since guitarist Glenn Tipton announced that he was retiring from the road due to his battle with Parkinson's disease. He is being replaced on tour by "Firepower" album producer Andy Sneap, also known for his work as the guitar player in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT. Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease four years ago — after being stricken by the degenerative condition at least half a decade earlier — but only recently announced he was going to sit out touring activities in support of "Firepower". The guitarist, who is now 70 and has performed on every PRIEST album since the band's 1974 debut set, "Rocka Rolla", is not quitting the band, but simply cannot handle the rigorous challenges of performing live.
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