Rob Halford Says Nikki Sixx Once Named The Judas Priest Record That ‘Did It For Mötley Crüe’

Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford recently joined Metal Hammer for an interview and revealed which one of the band’s albums Nikki Sixx claimed was an influence for Mötley Crüe.

Formed in 1969, Judas Priest significantly influenced glam metal bands with their unique style. Especially with their 1982 album, ‘Screaming For Vengeance,’ Priest made a breakthrough and achieved great success. Like many bands of the era, they were enjoying the sex, drugs, and rock and roll lifestyle at the time of the album’s release.

Priest recorded ‘Screaming For Vengeance’ at Ibiza Sound Studios, Spain. During the recording period, the band spent a lot of time partying and hitting local clubs. They entered the studio during their spare time and finished working on the album in Florida. Like Priest, Mötley Crüe was also a band known for their hedonistic lifestyle.

According to what Ian Hill told Metal Hammer, the Crüe got their crazy ideas from Priest. Moreover, Rob Halford also admitted that he didn’t know how they ended up recording ‘Screaming For Vengeance’ because they were partying hard. He also recalled when Hill drove a rental car into a pond in front of their studio while they were all sleeping.

After that, Rob Halford talked about the influence of ‘Screaming For Vengeance’ on glam metal bands in the scene. According to Halford, Nikki Sixx has always told him that this album was the record that did for Crüe. The musician then added that Sixx told him the Crüe members were always listening to ‘Screaming For Vengeance.’

Speaking about how the Priest lived life in the fast lane, Ian Hill told Metal Hammer the following:

“Oh, it was about the same for us as in every other camp. Where do you think Mötley Crüe got their ideas from? We killed several cars, then a couple of motorcycles as well.”

Rob Halford then said the following about ‘Screaming For Vengeance’:

“How we got through that record — I don’t know. We were dancing with death. I went into town every night getting absolutely fucking bladdered. Ian drove a rental car into the pond out the front of the studio at four o’clock in the morning, waking everybody up.”

Halford also added:

“Nikki Sixx always tells me – ”Screaming For Vengeance is the record that did for Crüe – we just kept playing it over and over again.'”

So, it seems like Ian Hill believes that Judas Priest influenced Mötley Crüe with their hedonistic and notorious lifestyle. On the other hand, Rob Halford has disclosed that Nikki Sixx said their ‘Screaming For Vengeance’ was a great inspiration source for the Crüe.