<P> An earlier band with a different line - up had been formed in the West Midlands area in 1969 by Al Atkins ( lead vocals ) , Bruno Stapenhill ( bass , born Brian Stapenhill , in 1948 , Stone Cross , W. Bromwich ) , John Partridge ( drums , born c. 1948 , W. Bromwich ) , and John Perry ( guitar ) . Perry was killed in a suicide - related car accident , according to Al Atkins , shortly after the band 's formation and was subsequently replaced by Ernie Chataway . Stapenhill came up with the name Judas Priest from Bob Dylan 's song `` The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest '' and they rehearsed at his house in Stone Cross . The band played their first gig on 25 November 1969 at The George Hotel in Walsall and then toured Scotland in December 1969 and January 1970 . The group disbanded in April 1970 after their last gig on 20 April at The Youth Centre in Cannock . </P>
<P> An earlier band with a different line - up had been formed in the West Midlands area in 1969 by Al Atkins ( lead vocals ) , Bruno Stapenhill ( bass , born Brian Stapenhill , in 1948 , Stone Cross , W. Bromwich ) , John Partridge ( drums , born c. 1948 , W. Bromwich ) , and John Perry ( guitar ) . Perry was killed in a suicide - related car accident , according to Al Atkins , shortly after the band 's formation and was subsequently replaced by Ernie Chataway . Stapenhill came up with the name Judas Priest from Bob Dylan 's song `` The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest '' and they rehearsed at his house in Stone Cross . The band played their first gig on 25 November 1969 at The George Hotel in Walsall and then toured Scotland in December 1969 and January 1970 . The group disbanded in April 1970 after their last gig on 20 April at The Youth Centre in Cannock . </P>
where did judas priest get their name from
where did judas priest get their name from
The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest
The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest