📍Walsall, West Midlands, UK
1951 – 1973“Robert John Arthur Halford was born in Sutton Coldfield in August 1951 and grew up in Walsall, in the industrial Black Country, at 38 Kelvin Road on the Beechdale estate, a new council estate built after the war, which felt like a new life for families like his. The eldest of three children of Barrie and Joan, with a sister, Sue, and a brother, Nigel, he grew up on the same estate as Noddy Holder of Slade. His father worked in the steel industry, and his mother worked at home and in factories. He went to Beechdale Infants and Richard C. Thomas School. Walsall was surrounded by metal works and foundries, and Rob remembered walking past them, seeing molten metal poured from huge vats and breathing in the fumes, sounds and smells that he later said helped inspire heavy metal. He loved singing, and had a powerful voice with a remarkable range, and he was drawn to the theatre and performing. He listened to everything from the Beatles to Elvis and Shirley Bassey, and as a gay teenager in the 1960s he kept a part of himself hidden. In 1973 he joined Judas Priest, a Birmingham band formed by the guitarist K. K. Downing, after his sister Sue, who was dating the band's bassist, recommended him. With albums like British Steel and Screaming for Vengeance, he became the Metal God, with his soaring voice and leather and studs look. In 1998 he came out publicly, becoming a hero to many. Walsall has honoured him with a star on its Walk of Stars, and he is proud of the Black Country.”
🗺️ Approximate location today
📍 Street view today