This Day in Metal August 19th 1991: The Time Rob Halford Fell Off His Motorcycle And Knocked Himself Out

It was on This Day in Metal, August 19th 1991 that Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford would play his last concert with the band before rejoining them in 2003.

The band was in Toronto performing at the C.N.E. with Alice Cooper, Motörhead, Metal Church and Dangerous Toys. The tour was called "Operation Rock & Roll". Motörhead didn't perform however as Lemmy had fallen and broke some ribs.

During the first song 'Hell Bent for Leather', Rob Halford's motorcycle entrance went wrong. He drove his Harley onto the stage, hit a metal beam, broke his nose, sprained his neck and knocked himself unconscious. The band continued playing the song, making it so far the only time in history that this song was played as an instrumental.

He woke up and completed the show then was taken to a hospital immediately afterward.

Not sure at the time if anybody knew but this was Rob's last concert with the band before embarking on a solo career.

Judas Priest Setlist

01 - Intro-Hell Bent for Leather
02 - Heading Out to the Highway
03 - The Hellion/Electric Eye
04 - All Guns Blazing
05 - Metal Gods
06 - Some Heads Are Gonna Roll
07 - The Ripper
08 - Night Crawler
09 - A Touch of Evil
10 - Painkiller
11 - The Green Manalishi
12 - Breaking the Law
13 - Living After Midnight
14 - You've Got Another Thing Comin'