For those of us who grew up in the 1980s, chanting Breaking the Law by Judas Priest while running away from the local parkie was one of the great joys of childhood. Judas Priest, with their pummelling drums, squealing guitar solos, operatic vocals and songs about doing naughty things, such as breaking the law, were a boy’s own adventure in heavy metal form.
Then there was the frontman’s outfit. The chained sailor’s cap, leather trousers and cut-off leather jacket over a bare chest, accessorised by studded wristbands and a whip, screamed one clear message to us kids: he must be really hard.
“In all honesty it never crossed my mind,” says Rob Halford, who came out in 1998 to the surprise of no one, apart