''The Best of Judas Priest'' is a compilation album featuring select songs from English heavy metal band Judas Priest's first two albums, ''

Rocka Rolla ''Rocka Rolla'' is the debut studio album by English heavy metal band Judas Priest, released on 6 September 1974 by Gull Records. It was produced by Rodger Bain, who had made a name for himself as the producer of Black Sabbath's first three ...

'' (1974) and ''

Sad Wings of Destiny ''Sad Wings of Destiny'' is the second studio album by English heavy metal band Judas Priest, released on 23 March 1976 by Gull Records. It is considered the album on which Judas Priest consolidated their sound and image, and songs from it su ...

'' (1976).

Overview

After forming in 1969, Judas Priest signed with Gull Records in 1974. When the band jumped to

CBS Records CBS Records may refer to: * CBS Records or CBS/Sony, former name of Sony Music, a global record company * CBS Records International, label for Columbia Records recordings released outside North America from 1962 to 1990 * CBS Records (2006), founde ...

in early 1977, they had to break their contract with Gull to do so. In the legal fallout that ensued, the band forfeited their rights to all material recorded with Gull. The album is not a typical "greatest hits" type of collection as the title would imply. It was the first of a handful of releases featuring material Judas Priest had recorded during their time with Gull, and was produced by the label in an effort to capitalize on the band's growing popularity. As the band had forfeited their legal claim to the music, the album was released without their consent.

Track listing

Original LP release

All songs originally from ''

'' (1974), except Diamonds & Rust, which was an outtake from the ''

'' sessions and was included to generate more interest on the compilation. All songs originally released on ''

'' (1976). § - at least on certain releases both on vinyl and CD the track is featured in a different mix from its original 1976 version. An example can be found on the 1989 CD release on

Possum Records Possum may refer to: Animals * Phalangeriformes, or possums, any of a number of arboreal marsupial species native to Australia, New Guinea, and Sulawesi ** Common brushtail possum (''Trichosurus vulpecula''), a common possum in Australian urban a ...

from Australia.

1987 CD release

2001 CD release

This release contains, according to Judas Priest's website, a "mindless interview" from former drummer John Hinch, who was let go from the band because he was "musically inadequate". They have described it as "not only misleading but full of rubbish and false information". In a 1998 interview with

Goldmine Magazine ''Goldmine'', established in September 1974 by Brian Bukantis out of Fraser, Michigan, is an American magazine that focuses on the collectors' market for records, tapes, CDs, and music-related memorabilia. Each issue features news articles, inter ...

, Tipton commented on the reason the company bothered to release the album:

"We believe that they're abusing the kids with...The Best Of Judas Priest and the re-packaging. It's not fair for us to condone them, because it's ripping the kids off. On the "Insight Series" CD, they include bullshit interviews with our first drummer John Hinch, who couldn't even play the drums, believe you me. But it's tracked to look like new songs. We don't get royalties off it, but the kids think we do."

Personnel

* Rob Halford – lead vocals, harmonica * K.K. Downing – guitar *

Glenn Tipton Glenn Raymond Tipton (born 25 October 1947) is an English guitarist. Often noted for his complex playing style and classically influenced solos, he is best known as one of the lead guitarists for heavy metal band Judas Priest. Early life and ...

– guitar, backing vocals *

Ian Hill Ian Frank Hill (born 20 January 1951) is an English musician, best known as the bassist and the sole continuous member for the heavy metal band Judas Priest. Biography Hill learned how to play the double bass from his father, a bass player ...

– bass * John Hinch – drums *

Alan Moore Alan Moore (born 18 November 1953) is an English author known primarily for his work in comic books including '' Watchmen'', ''V for Vendetta'', '' The Ballad of Halo Jones'', ''Swamp Thing'', ''Batman:'' ''The Killing Joke'', and '' From He ...

– drums

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Best Of Judas Priest, The Judas Priest compilation albums 1978 greatest hits albums