Latest news with #Binks'
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Cat went missing 5 years ago. Owner drove through dust storm to see him again
A cat is now safe and sound back home with one of her owners after a five-year absence. Binks, a 14-year-old feline who now has many adventures under his belt, was discovered after a long absence — that went on just a tad bit longer after he was found. 'Binks went missing from his family five years ago, but thanks to a kind-hearted Good Samaritan and a microchip that still had a trail to follow, he's finally back where he belongs,' Lost Dogs Illinois, a nonprofit organization said in a May 17 Facebook post. The organization usually helps reunite lost dogs with their families and announced Binks' happy reunion in their 2025 Microchip Hunter Reunion Stories. 'Binks was found on the North Side of Chicago by a wonderful woman named Shainy, who brought him to a vet to be scanned for a microchip. The chip company was contacted and made attempts to reach the registered owner, but no luck. That's when Shainy reached out to Microchip Hunters for help—while continuing to care for Binks with 'food, water, gentle pets, scritches, and lots of sunbeam naps.'' According to the Lost Dogs Illinois website, Microchip Hunters are a group of volunteers 'dedicated to research dead-end microchips and rabies/ID tags' to track down families. 'Microchip Hunter Weslee took on the case and, after hitting some dead ends with the primary contact, was able to locate a working number for the emergency contact listed on the chip—Binks' owner's ex-husband,' the post continued. 'He was shocked to learn Binks had been found and didn't hesitate to drive a couple of hours from his home in Indianapolis through a dust storm to reunite with him last night!'
USA Today
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Judas Priest former drummer Les Binks dead at 73: 'Your acclaim will live on'
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.
Forbes
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Former Judas Priest Drummer Les Binks Dead At 73
Les Binks, former drummer for the legendary heavy metal outfit Judas Priest has died at age 73. Binks was the drummer for Judas Priest between 1977 to 1979, and he performed on the band's iconic studio albums Stained Class (1978) and Killing Machine (1978), as well as their revered live album Unleashed In The East (1979). The current members of Judas Priest put out a statement on social media regarding Binks' death 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....." The last time Binks had made a public appearance with his former band members was when he, Rob Halford (vocals), Ian Hill (bass), Glenn Tipton (guitar) and Scott Travis (drums), along with other former members KK Downing and Dave Holland were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. According to Binks, he had left Judas Priest in 1979 after a rift developed between him and the band's manager during the making of the live album Unleashed In The East. In an interview, Binks stated that it 'caused a rift between me and [Judas Priest's] In 1989 Unleashed In The East became certified platinum. After Binks' exit in 1979 Dave Holland would take over as the band's drummer until 1989. Since then Scott Travis has become Judas Priest's longest standing drummer having over 3 decades behind the kit and 6 studio albums with the band.
