Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

The Pete Waterman Collab with Judas Priest We Never Got to Hear

Stefan Bollmann, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
Stefan Bollmann, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons

In a fusion of heavy metal and pop music, Judas Priest's collaboration with Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) was an ambitious project that never saw the light of day. The project, dating back to the late 1980s, involved the legendary heavy metal band Judas Priest recording tracks with the equally renowned British pop production team of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman. The trio, known for producing hits for artists like Rick Astley and Kylie Minogue, crafted three songs with the band, including a cover of “You Are Everything” by The Stylistics. This unlikely partnership aimed to create a groundbreaking crossover, blending the raw power of metal with the catchiness of pop.

The project has since become a source of intrigue and nostalgia for the involved parties and fans alike. Pete Waterman, in particular, has recently expressed his lingering regret over the collaboration's shelving. Describing it as “the biggest hit we never had,” Waterman lamented what could have been a global sensation. He reflected on the vibrant recording sessions in Paris, noting the potential global success that the collaboration might have achieved. However, concerns over Judas Priest's image and the possibility of the pop tracks overshadowing their heavy metal identity led to the project's abandonment. Despite the regret, Waterman fondly recalled the mutual respect and the musical energy shared during those sessions.

Frontman Rob Halford has also voiced his nostalgia and support for the unreleased tracks. In interviews, Halford reminisced about the excitement of the Paris recording sessions and the innovative spirit that drove the collaboration. He shares Waterman's sentiment that the songs had the potential to be significant hits and appreciates the quality of the music produced. Halford suggests a more liberal approach to the music's release, hoping to see the tracks eventually leaked, perhaps on platforms like TikTok, to gauge public reaction.

The project was not without internal debate within Judas Priest. While Halford championed the collaboration as an artistic experiment, other band members were more cautious. Concerns about the band's credibility in the heavy metal community and potential backlash from fans contributed to their decision to keep the collaboration under wraps. Guitarist K.K. Downing has mentioned the band's decision to shelve the tracks despite acknowledging their professional quality. The fears of compromising their identity were too significant to ignore, leading to a unanimous decision not to release the music.

Yet, as time progresses, perspectives on the unreleased tracks are shifting. The collaboration has gained a mythical status, and there is growing curiosity about what might have been. The music industry has evolved, and the stigma around genre-blending has diminished, leading key figures, including Halford, to openly advocate for the music's release. The concept that blending metal and pop could “kill Judas Priest” seems less relevant today as audiences embrace diverse musical expressions. Furthermore, with examples of artists successfully crossing genre boundaries, there is a potential audience ready to appreciate the unique sound born from this distinctive collaboration.

 

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

Heart - Nancy Wilson and Ann Wilson iHeartRadio Music Festival, Day 1, Show, Las Vegas, USA - 20 Sep 2019

Heart Announces 2025 Summer Tour With Todd Rundgren

In an exciting announcement for rock enthusiasts, Heart, the legendary band fronted by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, has revealed…

Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams and John Pierce of the American rock band Toto perform during their concert at Veszpremfest festival in Veszprem, Hungary, 20 July 2024 (issued 21 July 2024). Veszpremfest music festival in Hungary, Veszprem - 20 Jul 2024

Toto’s Hit ‘Africa’ Has Been a Cursed Blessing

Toto’s 1982 hit “Africa” has been both a blessing and a curse for the band, according to Steve Lukather, the…

Roger Daltrey, Zak Starkey and Pete Townshend of The Who The Who in concert, Opening night of The Who Hits Back! North American Tour, Hard Rock Live, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USA - 22 Apr 2022

Drummer Zak Starkey Fired From The Who

In a surprising move that has left fans and industry insiders talking, legendary rock band The Who has parted ways…

Tributes left to the late singer Liam Payne at the West Park bandstand in Wolverhampton, Britain, 08 November 2024. Liam Payne, former member of the British band One Direction, died on 16 October 2024 in Buenos Aires after falling from the third floor of a hotel, according to police. Tribute for late singer Liam Payne in his home town, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom - 08 Nov 2024

Girlfriend of Liam Payne, Kate Cassidy, Recalls His Last Words

Kate Cassidy, Liam Payne’s girlfriend, has been candidly sharing her grief journey after the singer’s tragic demise. In a touching…

LEFT PHOTO: Serena Williams watches the men's singles fourth round match between Novak Djokovic (not pictured) and Lorenzo Musetti (not pictured) at the 2025 Miami Open presented by Itau at Hard Rock Stadium. TENNIS 2025: Miami Open 2025 - Men'S Singles - Fourth Round, Florida, USA - 25 Mar 2025 RIGHT PHOTO: Miami Heat v New York Knicks, NBA Basketball game, Madison Square Garden, New York, USA - 27 Jan 2024

Serena Williams Says Super Bowl Dance Wasn’t Drake Shade

Serena Williams’ dynamic presence on and off the tennis court continues to attract significant media attention, especially following her appearance…

LEFT PHOTO: John Mayer in concert at the Kia Forum, Inglewood, California, USA - 14 Apr 2023 RIGHT PHOTO: Kings of Leon and Phantogram in Concert, Forest Hills Stadium, New York, New York, USA - 18 Sep 2024

John Mayer & Kings of Leon to Headline The 2025 Pilgrimage Festival

The Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, a staple of the Tennessee music scene since its inception in 2015, is set…

Post Malone and Morgan Wallen 57th Annual CMA Awards - Show, Nashville, Tennessee, USA - 08 Nov 2023

Morgan Wallen and Post Malone Collab on New Song

Morgan Wallen and Post Malone have reignited their musical synergy with the announcement of a new single, “I Ain’t Comin’…

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Press Room, Los Angeles, California, USA - 05 Nov 2022

Les Binks, Former Drummer of Judas Priest, Dies at 73

Les Binks, the former drummer for Judas Priest, passed away at the age of 73, as confirmed by multiple reports…

Elwood Francis and Billy Gibbons, of ZZ Top, Perform Onstage at The Brown County Music Center ZZ Top in concert, The Elevation Tour at Brown County Music Center, Nashville, Indiana USA - 01 Apr 2025

ZZ Top Sets Massive 2025 Tour

ZZ Top, known as one of the quintessential names in American rock, has unveiled an expansive list of tour dates…