Les Binks, the powerhouse drummer who helped shape Judas Priest’s signature sound in the late ’70s, has passed away at the age of 72. Known for his explosive technique and dynamic presence behind the kit, Binks played a crucial role in the band’s rise during one of its most iconic eras.
Binks’ death was confirmed by guitarist K.K. Downing, his former bandmate in both Judas Priest and the recent project KK’s Priest. According to Downing, Binks had been struggling with a serious illness after a shoulder injury and had recently been hospitalized. Despite these challenges, his legacy remains untouchable.
Les joined Judas Priest in 1977, stepping in just in time to record Stained Class—an album now considered a cornerstone of heavy metal history. His drumming was nothing short of electrifying, contributing to legendary tracks like “Exciter,” “Beyond the Realms of Death,” and “Hell Bent for Leather.” His tight, galloping rhythms and blistering fills elevated the band’s sound to new heights.
Although Binks left the group in 1979 after feeling shortchanged over royalties for their live album Unleashed in the East, his influence was lasting. He was later inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside the classic Judas Priest lineup in 2022—a long-overdue honor for one of metal’s most influential drummers.
In recent years, Binks kept the fire alive with projects like Les Binks’ Priesthood, celebrating the band’s classic era, and was also set to record a second album with KK’s Priest, though health issues sadly got in the way.
His passing marks the end of an era, but Les Binks’ thunderous beats will forever echo through the halls of metal history.
Rest in power, Les. The metal gods salute you.
