Chad Bowar: Why did you decide to write a book about Judas Priest?
Neil Daniels: Well, there hadn’t been a book on the band since Heavy Duty by Steve Gett and that was published way back in 1984. I felt it was about time the fans were delivered a biography. Also, given the fact that they had reunited and released an excellent album in Angel Of Retribution a book was a timely release.
How long did the interviewing, research and writing take?
It took me about a year of writing and researching. I really enjoyed tracking people down and wanted to write about the early years of the band which had never really been done before in a lot of depth. Of course, getting in contact with Dave Holland was also a coup.
How difficult was it to locate the former members to do interviews for the book?
The band’s ex-singer and founding member Al Atkins was very generous with his time and give me some contact details of other ex-members. Also, I wrote to various local newspapers in the West Midlands – where Priest are from – asking for ex-members, fans and friends to come forward. I got a good response. So in the end I spoke to John Ellis, John Hinch, Ernie Chataway, Al Atkins and Bruno Stapenhill. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to locate either Alan Moore or Chris “Congo” Campbell but would love to speak to them now. Maybe there’ll be an updated edition one day?! Through a contact I found out that Les Binks wasn’t interested in speaking to me for various reasons. Shame, as he is a cult icon. I also spoke to David Howells of Gull Records and John Pasche who designed the cover for Rocka Rolla. I interviewed various bands who supported Priest over the years as well as friends and fans.
Why wouldn’t the band cooperate?
They felt that it was not the right time for a book. There’s 30 years of heavy metal to celebrate, what better time then now! They’d been approached by many other writers over the years about a biography so I wasn’t the only one to been turned down.
Did them not cooperating actually give you more freedom to write what you wanted?
In a way, yes, because they would never have agreed to printing the letter from Dave Holland or going in such depth on the Al Atkins years. But on the other hand, it would have been cool to have had their cooperation because I would have liked to have gone into more detail about their success in American during the eighties. Through their management they were sent copies of the book but I doubt they’ve read it.
Did any of the former band members seem bitter about not being in the band, or have they come to terms with it by now?
Nobody was bitter at all. Okay, maybe drummer John Hinch was a bit annoyed about the way he was treated and he felt what he had done for them (he was practically their manager and tour bus driver) was not acknowledged in full. But everybody else seemed pleased for the band and what they have achieved.
How difficult was it to find every live show the band ever played for the appendix?
Not as hard as you might think. There is so much information on the internet that it’s just a matter of compiling it all into a document and cleaning it up. There’s an excellent website called ‘The French Metallian’ that lists all the tour dates and Al Atkins also had a complete list of tour dates from 1969-1974 so I had help. I can’t take all the credit. Also, I’ve got nearly all the Kerrangs and Metal Hammers from the eighties so I ploughed through those for tour dates.
What has been the response to the book, both from fans and from those close to the band?
The response has been pretty good, I’m pleased with it. The reviews have been great and I’ve got some good feedback. In fact only a few days ago did Brian Tatler of Diamond Head email me a cool quote. He said: “This is a well-written and enlightening account of the Judas Priest story, it made me want to go back a re-visit their back catalogue. A must for Priest fans.” I can’t argue with that!
Have you heard Nostradamus yet?
No, I haven’t heard it yet although I have heard some very mixed reports. This was always going to be a controversial album, not just because of the concept but because it’s their second post-reunion album. Literally, it has to be good. I’ve read two official reviews and they’re both positive. I hope they have great success with this one. They still don’t get the credit they deserve. They are called the Metal Gods for a reason.
