Former Judas Priest and current KK’s Priest vocalist Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens recently addressed concerns about the state of his voice. He sent a clear message to critics in an interview published on Heavy Talk.
Owens spoke candidly about comments he had previously made to the press regarding vocal struggles. He clarified what he actually meant and reassured fans that his voice remains strong.
“It’s still there. I think I sing as good now [as], if not better than, I ever have. I know I said in the press a while ago, and they ran with it, that I’ve been struggling with my voice,” Owens said. “But when I say I’ve been struggling, that’s probably 75% for me, and it’s probably better than a lot of other people at 100%. But I try really hard. Every night, you just hope you can sing. But my high notes have been really great. And I just hope I can get up there and sing.”
Owens went on to explain that the core of his “struggle” is simply the need to warm up before performances. This is something he never had to do earlier in his career.
“Today, I’ve been doing these warmups because my… When I said my voice is struggling, what I mean is I actually have to warm up for shows. I’ve never warmed up in my life, ever. Like Ronnie [James] Dio, he never warmed up,” he continued. “I didn’t warm up, but then I started struggling where it wasn’t warmed up, and that’s when I said that. Today I said, ‘You know what? I’m gonna not warm up. I’m just gonna go up and sing.’ So it worked out today. You guys were watching, so that’s scary. I could’ve sang like crap, and then you would’ve been there, filming it, probably.”
Owens’ comments come as he continues his work with KK’s Priest. Despite the natural demands of vocal maintenance, he remains confident in his abilities on stage.
The remarks carry added weight when placed against the backdrop of a career that has spanned decades and multiple high-profile projects. Owens first rose to widespread recognition in the late 1990s when he stepped in to front Judas Priest following Rob Halford’s departure. He served as the band’s lead vocalist from 1996 to 2003. It was a role that demanded an extraordinary vocal range and cemented his reputation as one of heavy metal’s most capable singers.
Since parting ways with Judas Priest, Owens has remained consistently active across the metal world. He is currently involved in several projects simultaneously, including Spirits of Fire and The Three Tremors, in addition to his ongoing work with KK’s Priest alongside guitarist K.K. Downing.
KK’s Priest has been a central focus for Owens in recent years. The band has given him a platform to revisit the classic British metal sound that first brought him international attention. His commitment to the project has been a driving force behind his determination to keep his voice in peak condition.
The pressure of maintaining vocal performance at the highest level is something Owens takes seriously. His candid acknowledgment of the adjustments he has had to make reflects a broader reality for veteran rock and metal singers. Rather than stepping back, Owens has chosen to adapt — treating the need to warm up not as a sign of decline, but as a professional discipline that keeps him competitive night after night.
For a singer who built his name on raw, untrained power, the shift represents a significant personal evolution. That he continues to deliver on stage, by his own account and by the evidence of his ongoing touring schedule, suggests the voice that once filled arenas for Judas Priest remains very much intact.
