Rob Halford recently addressed his future with Judas Priest in an interview with The Sound 228. He explained his determination to continue performing despite his age.
The Judas Priest frontman was asked about his longevity and whether he plans to keep performing for another decade or is simply taking it one tour at a time.
“Why not? The Lord has me still here to do the work. So that’s it for me. I’m here to do something that I’m blessed and joyful and grateful to have to do,” Halford said. “This voice, it’s still doing the business. It’s not really going to some of the places I wish it would. But it’s still doing the business.”
The metal icon went on to explain what drives his continued passion for performing.
“And, like I say, that desire for me has never left. I’ve been clean and sober 36, 38 years — who’s counting? My drug is getting on that stage. That’s my drug,” he continued. “I get my kicks, if that’s the right word, euphemism of what I’m talking about. I need to do it, man. I need to do it. It’s important to me. It’s what drives me. It’s what I thrive on.”
Halford concluded with a firm statement about his commitment to continuing his career.
“So, as long as I’m here and as long as I’ve got the voice and the physical ability, I ain’t stopping, man. I’m not stopping. I’m not putting the fire out,” he said. “Don’t call the fire brigade just yet.”
Halford’s commitment to continuing his career is evident in Judas Priest’s current touring schedule and ongoing projects. This demonstrates that retirement remains far from his mind.
Consequence reported that Judas Priest is currently on a co-headlining North American tour with Alice Cooper and support from Corrosion of Conformity. The tour runs from September 16, 2025, to October 26, 2025. The tour includes major cities like Toronto, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, showcasing the band’s continued commitment to live performance.
The band is actively promoting their 19th album, Invincible Shield. They maintain their reputation for high-energy performances. JamBase noted that the current Judas Priest setlist includes classics like “Painkiller,” “Breaking the Law,” and “Living After Midnight.” This demonstrates their ongoing commitment to delivering powerful metal performances that span their extensive catalog.
Halford has spoken enthusiastically about the current tour collaboration. He described the experience as “a larger-than-life experience on all levels” when discussing the energy and legacy of all three bands coming together. Metal Injection highlighted that this tour represents a significant moment in metal history. It brings together legendary acts that continue to define the genre.
The Metal God’s recent interviews have also touched on broader topics including the evolution of the music industry, songwriting, and even artificial intelligence. Loudwire revealed that these discussions reflect Halford’s continued engagement with both the present and future of heavy metal. This reinforces his statement that he has no plans to step away from the stage anytime soon.
