Tim "Ripper" Owens Biography

Story of how Ripper Owens became the lead singer of Judas Priest. This aired in 1998.

[@epic103]

Ripper's ability to sing those classic Priest songs is uncanny. I doubt anyone can do Priest stuff better than Ripper. I think this is a great story. The movie RockStar, was based on Ripper Owens.

[@MungasaurusBravo69420]

the original idea for the movie was that it was going to be a full accurate biopic with judas priests input in the production but the studio changed their mind and created an entirely made up story based on teh same idea of ' cover band singer joins favourite band' Thus the film has very little to do with ripper

[@Rstar63]

The only other guy who is capable is the singer from Primal Fear, He actually auditioned and they went with Ripper

[@cretoolsen5031]

This is the best story ever!, I've been drumming 46 yrs. and you only wish to have an opportunity like this in your life time.

[@adamkane7513]

I'm almost 50, I can't sing, I'm fat & out of shape... ... I _should_ be a shoe in to replace Ozzy - but I couldn't stand Sharon for a week!

[@batphink2655]

@@adamkane7513 None of us could LOL!

[@rickynix]

Nobody could have done what Tim did for Priest, I loved both albums he did with them, and I love Rob, I would have been fine if Rob never came back, because i was getting Priest and Rob Halford music that was just as good as Priest.

[@sycpup]

FIGHT was Fuckin' awesome!!

[@cudapaul957]

met Tim at rock the house in wallington nj 1995 my friend was doing sound. we said to the guy(tim) i hope your singer can pull this off we'll be packed tonight,. he just gave a lil sneaky smile and said we'll be alright,.. well the first line of sound check had jaws dropping. great vocalist and a great person.

[@gerardoneri5115]

Hemi Cuda wow... I bet

[@buckeyedragracer]

I was lucky enough to see many of Tim's shows when he was in the band "Seattle". Nice guy and very talented.

[@200pumb]

Most underrated vocalist in all heavy metal hands down … he’s a beast !!!

[@lamoureuxrico9399]

It's so great to see someone really reach their dream, no matter what field that may be.

[@marinaalari9867]

excellent singer and great dude. I met him 2 years ago in Argentina. He gave his best and rocked the audience! great shows

[@billhayes4868]

Never turn your back on the "The Ripper".

[@mallard4495]

You mean ‘on Rob H.’…

[@batphink2655]

This man is 'gifted' just an amazing singer all night long! Saw him live sang everything Rob did.

[@dudekiller82]

"Plus Tim aint gay", but he still wears leather like the metal god.

[@elevateordie]

Hahahahaahahahhahahahahahaha!!!!!!!

[@maddrop]

Hahahaha he´s a truly Metal god you got that right

[@bigbo1764]

I honestly like Tim Owens as much as Halford.Tim’s performances of Halford’s songs were fantastic and didn’t leave anything to be desired, and simultaneously Jugulator was a great album, songs like Cathedral Spires, Bullet Train, and Death Row should be up there as some of the best Priest songs of all time.

[@MultiDom20]

Tim Ripper Owens is a badass vocalist

[@paulwall1981]

What a truly amazing life he has lead. Tim is a brillaint sinnger and I liked him all the way. He kicks ass and hold no punches. He is so cool!!

[@headmetal80]

That Painkiller scream at the beginning of the vid. is sick!

[@Shanedog76]

80's chicks Baby!!!!!!!!

[@BL-cc1vm]

Those chicks are hot! I wish women looked like that now!

[@clemedicaredotcom2616]

Oh yeah.

[@LEFF21]

GREAT SINGER, 2 ALBUMS WITH HIM IN PRIEST ARE AWESOME !!!!!!

[@SuperDenonciateur]

Best singner ever. And what a personalty.

[@Hammersmashed68]

I had no idea before that the movie Rock Star with MArk Wahlberg was based on Tim's experience

[@AceLM92]

I don't care what people say, Ripper Owens is a kick ass singer! He may not be the real Rob Halford, but he is fucking great

[@charly77ish]

Cathedral spires 1 of the best priest songs ever

[@seanmoloney7797]

charly77ish Amen

[@jasonzaremba4551]

OH HELL FUCKING YES MY BROTHER !!!! MY ALL TIME FAV🤘

[@PatrickBMusic-sf2hu]

My favorite too!

[@JeffLB]

Hail AKRON OHIO!! Ripper two albums freaking ROCKED...dam you HALFORD

[@Highlander1518]

Tim Owens is a great singer. It's a shame that he'll be forever known as "the replacement singer" for not only Priest, but a myriad of other bands. He has an outstanding voice and deserves an indefinate position in a heavy metal band. I just wish people would stop compaing him to Halford, just like people compare Ozzy to Dio. Ripper is a great singer in his own right.

[@shelbyz88]

Thanks for posting. I saw this original airing on MTV back in the late 90’s and it is what got me into Judas Priest.

[@GenXMetal_Head]

I have re visited a lot of Ripper stuff and I am finding it enjoyable.

[@Ultra-Collector]

Such a Rad story! I love the movie Rock Star and we wouldn’t have it without Ripper!

[@Manoreid]

Killer vocalist hands down...with or without priest!

[@SNOWYSHAWOFFICIAL]

Unmatched fairytale story. Yes, dreams actually do come true, once in a blue moon. Tim rips! 🖤❤️🖤

[@taomahNEGEV]

The Ripper saved Judas Priest after Rob Halford's betrayal then they easily fired him when Halford returned after realizing he would come off much better with Judas Priest .

[@Red21Viper]

Winters Bane debut "Heart of a Killer" is an unbelievable album. Still thinks its Rippers best performance. Soaring and clear as never in the future.

[@chiefmegadeth]

Love the Priest! and Ripper was Amazing with priest! Loved Jugulator and Demolition. Went to see Ripper with Priest when they where in Australia last. He was incredible! Also loved Ripper in Iced Earth!

[@Schalke234]

He's an amazing vocalist!

[@ozzyozb1]

Ripper is great! He lived right down the street from me.

[@MCastleberry1980]

"PLUS TIM AIN'T GAY!" Good job random Priest fan.

[@PennyDreadful1]

Are you sarcastic.

[@oliverfletcher1939]

Erydiam Wintermoon what the fuck are you on about? Are you on drugs?

[@gerardoneri5115]

Michael Castleberry lmao

[@SaintGenesius666]

LMAO 🤣🤣. Akron’s Finest! God Bless America

[@tenzin682]

What the fuck kind of English is that, Wintermoon!! Moron!! Michael, it shows you how really fucking stupid some people are!! I wonder how many so called "fans" left because Rob's gay?! If they did then fuck them!!

[@YesYouAreAbsolutelyCorrect]

Ripper's a unique singer. Totally deserved the success and recognition he got and deserves even more.

[@dougieg74]

I agree.Tim is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet,and his bar in Akron The Taphouse is amazing.They have top notch entertainment come in to perform.Just a few nights ago U saw Marky Ramone(The Ramones) and Michale graves(The Misfits) play a show.Geoff Tate is playing there again in a few weeks.His second time in the last 2 months!Tim Thanks for all you have done for metal and for akron bro!

[@cass7142]

I was at those shows...LOVED THE OLD TAP HOUSE in Akron...to bad its gone..the NEW TAP HOUSE was ok, til BAR RESCUE came in and ruined a GREAT PLACE TO ROCK😪 I heard its closed now? Last show I saw there was JOHN 5...MISS THE PLACE... RIPPER ROX!!!!! R.I.P TAP HOUSE...😪🤘😪

[@JoeGibb]

Best Iced Earth singer by far.

[@seanrenzi7243]

JoeGibb no matter Barlow is Tim is second

[@shorerocks]

Nice. I always loved Tim in JP.

[@CAMAROG9]

I was at the concert where Tim met Rob for the first time. I wish I could post pictures. Oddly - I lost the picture only to find it again quite a while after while being mentioned in a German metal magazine. Imagine the meeting... very intense.

[@Renzo8375867]

Oh , so this is what "rockstar movie" with Mark Wahlberg was based on.

[@wafflcoptr]

It was originally supposed to explicitly be about Owens joining Priest, but Priest pulled out because of contractual obligations with their record company, and a made up band was used, although they are meant to be Judas Priest.

[@Renzo8375867]

I'm glad they did , that movie came with a great heavy metal album.

[@ankihansen2489]

A little bit but that movie sucked so much.

[@rbagel55]

+Anki Hansen Yeah it was rubbish

[@robertoricci3393]

Vaguely. "Rockstar" is basically a story of a typical glam band of the 80's. More inspired by Motley Crue than Judas Priest.

[@hiddenrockmusic]

Hometown boy rocking it still!!!

[@DomentorTheOnlyTrue]

Well, maybe some people think he's a "replacement singer", but the fact is NOBODY can erase the fact that he'd been a singer in Priest & he will FOREVER be, NO matter a replacement or not! All it matters is he Delivered the Goods when needed & went into Priest-history! As far as I'm concerned, he's The man & his Priest-era stands Strong on it's own.

[@cutsrosescents4950]

KK still wearing glasses in case a string breaks

[@dancollins8296]

Tim ripper owens is a great singer

[@cabitothekid]

i cant believe how the movie rockstar is so accurate with the real story,..i know the movie is based on tims life before during and after judas priest but wow...

[@practicalapplications8899]

Huge fan of Tim Ripper Owens! Priest and iced earth! Most of all, charred walls of the damed!

[@txmetalhead82xk]

This story was awesome! Will always respect the "Ripper"

[@metalslaveband9966]

Tim Amazing singer vocalist. Excellent memories 1997.🤘🎤😈🤘👍

[@rudianger123]

I was at that show!!!!!! It was unreal....

[@KevinCleon]

Tim is my inspiration! One of his more recent bands, Beyond Fear, is totally amazing! Every fan of metal should look up the song "Scream Machine"! You have not lived until you have heard it ( yes it is ripper )

[@johnadams9634]

Also" The Reconing" with Iced Earth.

[@LoLoCoSt224]

If Rob couldn't be in the band then they really couldn't have found any better than Ripper Owens. I'm glad Rob came back to Priest but it was also nice to have a couple of albums released with Tim lending a bit of a different sound to the band, and he did the old tunes plenty of justice too.

[@josephhoeber27]

Thank you for uploading this video!! Definitely a throw back & I got to learn more about Tim than I did before

[@DanteSteel]

I just found this on my old vhs and was going to post it..Glad to see this up.

[@68weav]

Screaming for Vengeance was my first Priest album too.

[@glennhecker4422]

Mine as well! 1982 was when I first heard Priest.

[@mark_beastpriest5539]

Jugulator is one of the best JP albums out there. One of my favourites. When it first came out, I couldn't stop playing it.

[@electriceyeproductions97058]

I went to see Priest with Tim not expecting much. When I left I was a fan of Ripper.

[@briansmith3568]

I love this. Ripper is one of my all time favorite singers. I get so damn sick of people putting him dawn cause he isn't this guy or that guy. He's Tim the Ripper fucking Owens! He's better then all the this guy or that guys. He's the god damn best.

[@rbagel55]

+Brian Smith I just watched a video of him coving Metal Church's "Metal Church and it i9s amazing how much he can sound like David Wayne !

[@LavendLady]

I STILL can't believe this holy shit!

[@lifeisgoid]

He is a living legend !!He is definitely heir to the Metal God thrown!!He mad history singing In Judas Priest. His LIVE IN LONDON PERFORMANCE IS LEGENDARY!!

[@sudsysutherland359]

I had no idea that Tim “Ripper” Owens was in a cover/tribute band to “Soundgarden ~ Pearl Jam ~ Alice In Chains ~ Nirvana” as Tim rubbed me that he was a specifically a British Heavy Metal & American Metal fan but the “Ripper” fits that Seattle grunge singing style perfectly especially with Chris Cornell & Layne Stanley’s voices \m/ on a quick note for fans of Chris Cornell’s voice then you gotta check out the Canadian singer/musician “Ian Thornley” of the band “Big Wreck” & his solo band “Thornley” + he’s an amazing guitarist & I mean amazing guitarist!! I’m honestly not sure in which Ian’s better at?? His vocals or guitar?

[@buckeyedragracer]

yep, got to talk to him at one of his shows right after it was announced he was singing for Priest. He was very humble about it.

[@cretoolsen5031]

Plus "Tim ain't gay!" great comment, Its gotta be unreal to know your band mate, best friend, made it into a real band!, what chance is there for any band member to make it big?,

[@GrimskullOfficial]

@rfa2068 It's not mentioned often, but Rock Star is actually based on Ripper Owens.

[@rivlesbeware]

Tim in iced earth is just epic

[@knowur10sand18s]

wow i remember this episode of mtv news when it originally aired! thanks for uploading =)

[@azertydu80g.r.p.s]

The day where Scott Travis smile it"s snowing to Hollywood ! Lol

[@Justentime77]

The movie 'Rock Star' was based on the Tim Owens/Judas Priest scenario.

[@grimdrum2396]

This is such a cool story!!!❤

[@eternityx5413]

Tim Owens you rock

[@wendychan6679]

I bought both albums that Ripper was with JP and I thought the first one was OK but he really stepped it up on Demolition. That album had some really good songs on it. It would have been a great moment for him to do that first concert with JP and he looked like he fitted in very well with the rest of them.

[@jimlbw71]

Mom in the front row, That is sooo kool. Dreams really do happen :-) We love ya Timmy.

[@user-oe7lv1hs9x]

I adore him.

[@emilybryyson9562]

Momma Ripper ROX!!!

[@BegRo666]

Great Story...Great Man \m/ The RIPPER

[@joeshlong9614]

You can really see where the inspiration for rock star the movie comes from. I didn’t know how much this movies story is actually taken from this. Obviously it’s changed a lot but if you’ve seen the movie, you’ll notice things after watching this video It’s loosely based on Judas Priest and Tim joining the band.

[@Rockinwithloz]

great video. this guy has an amazing voice. i have jugulator on cd, good album. any of you lot wish you could sing this well.

[@dwaynereed4059]

ripper has a voice all his own

[@double42]

I really like his vocal style and i'm a fan

[@toddmitchell6362]

i think tim did a great in priest and in In iced earth listen to his vocals on the Gettysburg. trilogy that king diamond abigail cover on youtube is incredible too

[@kipcoulter9302]

NAILED ITTT ITTT

[@fredtello]

He took over as lead singer to replace my best friend Daniel Stevens (who left for the army) in a band called U.S. metal. then he sang in a grunge cover band call Seattle. I use to go see them often.. really top notch stuff.. like seeing the real band or better sometimes... rock on!!

[@billgeezeriommi]

Ripper deserved the gig tbh

[@xtwwrestling123]

haha, i lol'd when the dude mentioned Van Halen at the end xD

[@jmiller09brophy]

"Plus Tim aint gay" I lold

[@heavymetalheretic5386]

Funny as hell but its also sad. Luckily he`s in the minority.

[@gerardoneri5115]

jmiller09brophy lmao

[@jacquelinec.6785]

jmiller09brophy that was UN-Cool-did that guy really say that◽

[@megaduck7965]

That dude can't be judging anybody with that moustache and that hair line hahaha

[@Vazcular]

@@heavymetalheretic5386 Not back then.

[@TrooperLinks]

yeah that was hilarious. i can't believe they didn't cut that out :P

[@guysmiley5550]

Rob will always be Priest. With that being said. Still feel kinda bad for ripper.he sorta got treated like he worked for a temp service.but Rob came back so it's all good.ROCK FOREVER!!🤘🤘

[@JonBecker200]

Awesome stuff, Porter. Thanks for posting this.

[@hamidabasifar4306]

Tim is a god . my biggest wish is to him to be my singing teacher

[@paulokotipelto]

Esse cara é muito bom!!! Tenho saudades dele no Judas Priest, mandava muito bem!!

[@wytrzeszcz]

Check out the Blood Stained video in my favourites. In the video description there are links to the whole show on rapidshare.

[@yucchhiiowwee]

If TWO is your favorite band with Rob, that's fine, I respect that. I never really got into TWO. I liked "FIGHT" and "HALFORD"

[@BadgeAYAOTD]

The reason I stated he did not write anything was in reference to when I posted about him being worthless to the bands themselves. If Ripper was actually doing something other than singing, if he was actually contributing, he may have been considered less expendable.

[@billhayes4868]

Amen.

[@Metalstr8jacket]

Nice vid man, thank you for the upload.

[@silviamaringer2814]

Tim Ripper Owns 👊👊👊😎

[@jamesshelton4530]

My favorite song on Jugulator is Decapitate. "You've lost your head sir. Well, you will tomorrow. Sleep well".

[@IronDuke_xX]

I bet that first audition was the rush of his life

[@denmalski]

Dreams do come true, but alas all dreams do come to an end. It's too bad he really is an amazing singer, Bullet Train is his best song. good luck to him.

[@wytrzeszcz]

THanks so much for the vid! You've became my Master of Life and Death!

[@kapenrobu]

amazing video