Judas Priest former drummer Les Binks dead at 73: 'Your acclaim will live on'
Les Binks, the drummer responsible for Judas Priest's beats in the late-'70s, has died at 73.
A funeral notice for Binks lists his passing at a London hospital, with some reports adding his death occurred March 15.
The band announced Binks' death in an Instagram post Tuesday, stating, 'We are deeply saddened about the passing of Les and send our love to his family, friends and fans. The acclaimed drumming he provided was first class – demonstrating his unique techniques, flair, style and precision. Thank you, Les – your acclaim will live on …'
More: Clem Burke, legendary drummer for Blondie and the Ramones, dies at 70
Binks joined the British heavy metal band in 1977 after drumming with Eric Burdon and the Animals and War and made his first appearance on Judas Priest's major label debut, 'Sin After Sin,' that same year, playing on the bonus track, 'Race with the Devil.'
The sticksman's resume also included stints with Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover, as well as the pop band Fancy, before his Judas Priest association.
Born James Leslie Binks in Northern Ireland Aug. 8, 1951, Binks' two-year membership in the Rob Halford-fronted outfit included the band's tour supporting 'Sin After Sin,' which marked Judas Priest's first outing in America.
But it was Binks' double bass drum assault that earned his acclaim in the Judas Priest canon. The 1978 albums 'Stained Class' and 'Killing Machine' (released as 'Hell Bent for Leather' in the U.S.) as well as the 1979 live album 'Unleashed in the East,' spotlighted Binks' signature speedy playing, which featured prominently on the band's first hit in the U.K., 'Take on the World.'
The drum patterns from that song lived on in future generations, with both The Human League utilizing them during their 1980 tour and the indie rock band Spoon interpolating the patterns in their 2021 song, 'Wild.'
Binks also co-wrote 'Beyond the Realms of Death' from the 'Stained Class' album.
But two years after joining Judas Priest, Binks departed just before the tour behind 'Hell Bent for Leather.'
In a 2017 interview on a fan site for Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing, Binks cited management refusing to pay him for contributions on 'Unleashed in the East' that 'led to my decision to leave the band. I just didn't see the point in continuing to work with a band whose manager (Mike Dolan) didn't want me to receive any payment for that live album. A completely ludicrous scenario … But that's what happens if a band allows someone like that to manage them. They lose members. So exit drummer number four.'
Binks stayed active in his post-Priest years, joining British hard rock band Lionheart and the short-lived Tytan in the early '80s and since 2017 played Judas Priest songs in the band Les Binks' Priesthood.
Despite a somewhat acrimonious parting with Judas Priest, Binks joined his former mates at the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and played three songs with the band. It was the first time he shared a stage with them in 43 years.
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