Les Binks

James Leslie Binks (8 August 1951 – 15 March 2025) was a Northern Irish heavy metal drummer. He is best-known for being the drummer for Judas Priest, where he was a member from 1977 to 1979.

Life and career

Early years

Previously working for Eric Burdon of the Animals and the funk band War, Binks was also a drummer on Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover's album '' The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast'' (1974). The album project began as a soundtrack for an animated film based on a well-known English children's book, but a promo for the film never gained any interest, so the project was scrapped. Glover went on to release the soundtrack as a "Roger Glover and Friends" title. One of the featured vocalists, Eddie Hardin previously of The Spencer Davis Group, later released his own albums, the first of which was ''Eddie Hardin's Wizard's Convention'' (1976), which again included Binks on drums.

Binks played for the pop band Fancy who had two U.S. hits in 1974 with a cover of Chip Taylor's " Wild Thing", and "Touch Me". Fancy's song "Feel Good" from the album ''Wild Thing'' has been sampled over one hundred times, most notably by the Beastie Boys on the song " 3-Minute Rule" off their album '' Paul's Boutique'' (1989).

Judas Priest

Through his connection to Roger Glover who had just wrapped up production of their album '' Sin After Sin'', Binks joined the up-and-coming heavy metal act Judas Priest in March 1977 for their world tour – their first on American soil. Binks stepped into the role held briefly by noted session drummer Simon Phillips who had performed on ''Sin After Sin'' but did not wish to continue. Binks remained with Judas Priest for two and a half years, until July 1979, recording the studio albums '' Stained Class'' and '' Killing Machine'' (both 1978) and the live album '' Unleashed in the East'' (1979), all of which feature a faster thrash metal, speed metal double bass drumming approach, thus helping to develop and explore new terrain within heavy metal music, building on foundations already established by bands like Deep Purple on '' Fireball'' and '' Deep Purple in Rock''.

Whilst with Judas Priest, he received a writing credit for the song " Beyond the Realms of Death" from the album ''Stained Class''. Binks made a home demo of the track with friend Steve Mann of the Michael Schenker Group helping on guitar, and at a band rehearsal he picked up a guitar to show them the song. The band loved the song and vocalist Rob Halford then crafted the song's lyrics and title.

Les Binks features prominently on Judas Priest’s drum-dominated " Take On the World", released as a single in January 1979 and notable as the first Judas Priest single to chart in the UK top 40, reaching number 14. "Take on the World" was also later covered by new wave band The Human League on their 1980 tour. In 2021, the band Spoon released the single "Wild", which sampled Les Binks' drum patterns from "Take On the World." The record was also remixed by Dennis Bovell, featuring the same Les Binks’ drum pattern.

Binks left the band just before the start of the North American leg of the " Killing Machine" (Hell Bent for Leather) tour. Binks said in 2017 that he left because he felt he was essentially hired as a "freelance session drummer" by the band and was never made an official member. He felt insulted when the band's then-manager Mike Dolan suggested that he "waive his fees" (i.e. not get paid for his performance) on the live album ''Unleashed in the East'', a RIAA-certified platinum seller.

Later career

In 1979, Binks joined Charlie Whitney and Axis Point and remained active in the British hard rock/heavy metal underground. In 1981, he was a member of Lionheart which featured Dennis Stratton (ex-Iron Maiden) on guitar and Jess Cox (ex-Tygers of Pan Tang) on vocals, though this was only a brief stint. Also in 1981, Binks played on the album '' Finardi'' by Italian rock singer Eugenio Finardi.

Binks toured with the bands Lionheart (1981) and Tytan (1982–1983) soon after their first single release.

After then, Binks appeared in a classic rock cover band around South London called The Shakers, with Dave Bunce, guitarist Pete Friesen (formerly with Jeff Beck and with Alice Cooper), and vocalist/guitarist Tom Lundy (of The Poor Mouth). Rounding out the band was bassist Phil Rynhart, co-founder member of The Poor Mouth. Binks and Pete Friesen have also done time in Metalworks, along with ex-Iron Maiden guitarist Tony Parsons, playing covers of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and other metal bands around London.

In 2013, he joined the band Raw Glory, which also featured singer Paul Manzi (of Arena).

In 2015, Binks played live around London in Broken Bones with ex-Bad II The Bone members Ed Hudson and Paul Smith, and in original prog-folk-rock band Kindred Spirit with whom he recorded the album ''Phoenix Rising''.

From 2017, Binks performed classic Judas Priest songs live with a new band called Les Binks' Priesthood. He additionally intended to join the band KK's Priest after a one-time show in November 2019 playing Judas Priest songs at KK's Steelmill in Wolverhampton, along with other former Judas Priest members K. K. Downing (guitar) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals). Other participants included David Ellefson (bass) of Megadeth and A.J. Mills (guitar) of the UK band Hostile. However, Binks reportedly suffered a fractured wrist prior to the recording of KK's Priest's first album in 2020, so he was replaced by Sean Elg (The Three Tremors).

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 2022, Binks was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Judas Priest via the Award for Musical Excellence. On 14 October, K. K. Downing confirmed that he and Binks would be joining Judas Priest for a performance at the induction ceremony.

Binks played a three-song set with Judas Priest at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction on 5 November 2022. This was one of Binks' last public performances before his death.

Death

Binks died in London on 15 March 2025, at the age of 73. His death was confirmed on 14 April.

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Binks, Les
1951 births
2025 deaths
Male drummers from Northern Ireland
British heavy metal drummers
Judas Priest members
People from Portadown
20th-century drummers from Northern Ireland
21st-century drummers from Northern Ireland
20th-century male musicians from Northern Ireland
21st-century male musicians from Northern Ireland