R.I.P. James Leslie Binks (August 8th, 1951 - March 15th, 2025). Apparently he passed away last month but word is just getting out now. More details about his death to come.
Statement from Judas Priest:
Through his connection to Roger Glover who had just wrapped up production of their album Sin After Sin, Binks joined the up-and-coming heavy metal act Judas Priest in March 1977 for their world tour– their first on American soil. Binks stepped into the role Simon Phillips had held in the band. Simon Phillips went on to enjoy success as a session player for, amongst others, Brian Eno, Michael Schenker and The Who. Binks remained with Judas Priest for two and a half years, until July 1979, recording the studio albums Stained Class and Killing Machine and the live album Unleashed in the East, all of which feature a faster thrash metal, speed metal double bass drumming approach, thus helping to develop and explore new terrain within heavy metal music, building on foundations already established by bands like Deep Purple on Fireball (album) and Deep Purple in Rock.
Whilst with Judas Priest, he received a writing credit for the song "Beyond the Realms of Death" from the album Stained Class. Binks made a home demo of the track with friend Steve Mann of the Michael Schenker Group helping on guitar, and at a band rehearsal he picked up a guitar to show them the song. The band loved the song and vocalist Rob Halford then crafted the song's lyrics and title.
Les Binks features prominently on Judas Priest’s drum-dominated "Take On the World", released as a single in January 1979 and notable as the first Judas Priest single to chart in the UK top 40, reaching number 14. "Take on the World" was also later covered by new wave band The Human League on their 1980 tour. In 2021, the band Spook released the single "Wild", which samples Les Binks' drum patterns from "Take On the World." The record was also remixed by Dennis Bovell, featuring the same Les Binks’ drum pattern.
Binks left the band just before the start of the North American leg of the "Killing Machine" (Hell Bent for Leather) tour. Binks said in 2017 that he left because he felt he was essentially hired as a "freelance session drummer" by the band and was never made an official member. He felt insulted when the band's then-manager Mike Dolan suggested that he "waive his fees" (i.e. not get paid for his performance) on the live album Unleashed in the East, a RIAA-certified platinum seller.
In 2022, Binks was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Judas Priest via the Award for Musical Excellence. Binks played a three-song set with Judas Priest at their Rock and Roll Fall of Fame induction ceremony on November 5, 2022, marking his first appearance with the band in 43 years.
