Les Binks, former Judas Priest drummer, playing a drum solo in Armagh city centre (Northern Ireland), August 1994. Filmed by Vincent Loughran, Armagh, solo
As a lifelong Priest fan, I constantly fantasize about Les Binks rejoining Judas Priest. His smooth and technical style allowed them to utilize all their creative talents to their fullest extent, if you think about it. Simon Phillips brought Priest double bass with his session drumming on Sin After Sin, which helped unlock their true colors in songwriting, musicianship, and overall sound. Les was the only logical fit for them when they were looking for a new drummer in early 1977. They were a much more creative band with him in the fold, and crowds went insane for his drumming while he was in Priest. I've heard all the bootlegs, and they make Stained Class and Killing Machine pale in comparison. He truly commanded the show with his drumming, and hearing entire audiences roar after a Les Binks solo just makes you wonder what happened in July 1979, because JP lost something extremely special. Not even Scott Travis can hold a candle; I don't think there's a contest at all.
Indeed Priest were at their very best with Les Binks (and Simon Phillips on Sin after Sin). Whatever reason their was for Binks departure is just a terrible shame. The band was never as good after the stellar Binks era. The albums after Unleashed would have only been better had Binks remained the drummer, and the band would've aged with far more integrity. If anyone in the band could've used replacing early on its Ian Hill, who in my opinion is average at best.
+sabbathtribute Binks left on his own because he wasn't happy with the direction the band was going. They started working on British Steel and it had shorter, radio friendly songs. He wanted them to continue with Stained Class and Leather compositions.
Although I can't quite take his snare tone, his melody, groove, and dynamics are beautiful. Definitely too good for pop-Priest, if I were him that stuff would have driven me away too.
What a drummer! I didn't expected that kinda fusion jazz solo on ex Judas priest drummer. I have Stained Class and Killing Machine on vinyl format and love his drum parts.
Makes me glad to see all the support Les gets in these comments.I hope he knows he has a lot of fans all over the world! You knew when to play double bass and when not to,like shifting gears! I love it Dynamics is what it is all about.
Les played on "Stained Class" which had "Exciter" and "White Heat/Red Hot". He also played on "Hell Bent For Leather". The songs he played on never sounded the same with any other drummer.
WOW!! this is incredible!! next to Bill Ward, Les IS my greatest drumming inspiration. when i was in Toxik, we did a raging cover of Judas Priests' Exciter as their years with him were a crucial influence to our music. thank SO much 4 posting this. is there any way to contact this guy?
Holy smokes byes !!!!!! What an awesome drummer !!!!! I remember the name from early Judas Priest . I love this drummer !!!!! Great style and technical as hell !!!!! His selection of percussive pieces in his kit are very personal and distinct and I love the sounds of all of him s cymbals !!!!! Hello Les !!!!! Keep on rocking brother !!!!!!!
This is actually my favorite drum solo of ALL time. The only other solo that I find interesting is Moby Dick and some T Aldridge stuff - only because it was so unique - but this, this is just cool it covers it all and has some grit. Les Binks is a - Legend
Les binks on unleashed in the East (my first metal album) was and still is one of biggest influences on my playing! So pleased he's finally getting some well overdue praise! Gutted when he wasn't with them when I saw them on British steel tour, still loved priest but imagine if he'd stayed?
I really dig Scott Travis, but Les Binks was the best drummer Priest ever had. First Priest album I ever bought was Unleashed in the East and the drums blew my mind even back then - I think I was 11. Without Binks I don't think that album would be the classic it is today. Why they got rid of him I'll never understand.
You seem to be speaking in my name too. My falling-in-love-with-Priest story is nearly identical. And while I just might understand why they got rid of Les Binks, I will NEVER understand why they hired Dave Holland, who is besides a lousy drummer also a child molester!
Iztok Volk lol! I agree with y'all about Binks - he was a friggin' badass drummer for PRIEST. I dig Holland's playing, too, though. That's probably 'cause the albums that he played on are nostalgic for me - I grew up jammin' to "Screaming for Vengeance". I do not like the fact that he plays with young boys' wee-wees, though! Fucking weird shit, huh?! lol! I just found out about that recently....very disappointing.....& despicable. The boy was mentally challenged, also, which makes it even worse. :/
I agree with superzombie, Dave holland was a great drummer. LB is also great as is ST. Please stop comparing, each man left his great stamp on the band. They are all great, or they wouldn't have been in the band. They all did/do the job at hand. I can say , for myself, I can listen to 3JP records back to back with the 3 and still enjoy them all. Les /Dave/Scott, all great! Quit comparing and enjoy them all!
This is incredible! Thanks for sharing. I'd bet that the drums are happy that they are being played like a set of drums want to be played. Blue collar, meat and potatoes way of doin' it Les! Rock on forever hard!
I have been a Judas priest fan and a drummer since the early eighties, and without question Les was the best drummer the Priest ever had!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He’s nearly 70 now and he’s just started a new band with KK Downing and Tim Ripper Owens. Hopefully they play a lot of the Stained Class/Killing Machine songs, because he still has it.
I'm a drummer, and I don't think it's a coincidence that my favorite Judas Priest albums are "Stained Class" and "Hell Bent For Leather", probably in that order.
Simply one of the greats, up their will John Bonham and Bill Ward... Dave Holland fit the Priest sound of the 80's but Les's style was the peak of metal and energy that made Priest what they became and his talent inspired thousands even if he's never named.
Always loved Les Binks drumming, pissed me off when JP replaced him with someone half as good. His rendition of "Victim of Changes" on Unleashed in the East is far better than the original by Alan Moore.
Get this. Binks said in a 2017 interview that he left because he was hired as a "freelance session drummer" for Judas Priest, and then-manager Mike Dolan suggested that he should "waive his fees", i.e. not get paid for his performance, on the live "Unleashed in the East" album, a RIAA certified platinum seller. That's proof how crooked the music industry is.
Les Binks was good and I personally like this kind of drumming. But Dave Holland was perfect for his job. His style was more simple and straightforward and that's exactly what the band wanted from 1980 onwards 'till the late 80's. British Steel, Screaming for Vengeance and Defenders of the Faith are probably the most legendary Priest albums and I wonder if Binks would've even wanted to play in the band if he wasn't allowed to play in his own style.
As a drummer who was highly influenced by Les, I can't imagine what it must feel like to have that level of skill and control... so seemingly effortless. Truly an amazing drummer.
Les Binks is great! Period. Priest were foolish to get rid of him. He is the best drummer they ever had. Granted,Scott Travis is good but he is no Les Binks..
@@adameves5970 are you joking? You think he's worse than fucking Dave Holland? Sure Scott is a one trick pony with his double bass pedal, but at least he was skilled enough to play on painkiller. They used a drum machine of ram it down because Holland wasn't technical enough
Actually, Simon Phillips was the best drummer they ever had, but unfortunately, he never joined the band and only played on one album. Sin After Sin has the best drumming of any Priest album. The new guy, Scott? All his beats sound the same to me...typical machine gun double bass just like every other metal band out there.
He's one of those old school drummer, not the hardest hitting guy around but tons of groove and tons of chops up his sleeve, almost jazzy, finesse and nuances for days, great double strokes, great speed, pioneered double kicks like no other... Amazing musician. Curious to hear him with KK soon.
He is not hitting the drums hard but drums are sounding absolutely huge when he's playing. Everything what he played is just spot on, simply perfect hits. He is very ,very technically skilled drummer
Anyone who took over from Simon Philips (who was 18 when he recorded Sin After Sin with Priest, let's not forget) needed to be exceptional, and Les was up to the job. He is certainly one of the most under-rated of players, listen to his footwork in the age of sluggish old single BD pedals played on two separate BDs. He's one of my all time fave sticksmen. A gem of a video! Thanks
Very dynamic and musical drummer! one can see his influences, the Mozambique a la Steve Gadd, the Double Bass pattern a la Carmine Appice and the octobans a a Neil Peart. He was very versatile.
Brilliant solo. Thank you for posting it. I wish I could find live footage of Binks with Priest in the seventies. As much as I respect and enjoy Scott Travis, Binks was the best drummer priest ever had and its a shame they didn't work out. Dave Holland was a good drummer as well, but he's not in the same category as Travis and Binks.
Defo the best out of Priests 3 main drummers. Dave had good groove and played tastefully but he lacked technique and was sometimes predictable. Scott has great technique and can play really fast complex stuff but he lacks groove and sometimes overplays. Les had groove, technique and could be both tasteful and complex. He had the lot, ticked all the boxes :)
LES is my favorite I hated Dave for years until now . Because i listened stuff outside Priest and he s not playing the same at all. Trapeze , Glenn hughes, Al atkins . More double bass playing , more jazzy and he was Killer on Funk . Not the more technical . But he was more capable than most people think .
I love scott too. But again , he played more groovy and with finesse not only in the early 90s than Now. But in 80s .. his solos and some drums part in Hawk and Racer X were more nuanced and varied and even more technical than in Priest .
For all the drummers out there…..Les Binks is/was very special! We’re talking insane physical ability and creativity. What a shame Judas Priest let him go…..
Yes, agreed, but...Dave Holland was special/incredible with all things Glenn Hughes in the 70's. Check him out on Hughes' solo effort Play Me Out, his funk drumming is awesome.
HOLY FUCKING SHIT?!?!!! PHENOMENAL drumming from my favorite and 2nd influential drummer!!! Definitely a MAJOR factor in me becoming a drummer myself!!! 🤘 Judas Priest went downhill (for me personally) after Les' departure from the band! And, 🤔 IMPO, Dave Holland SUXXX on drums, and..............little boys...... 😨😲😠🖕💩
Les Binks was the best drummer in Judas Priest's history..Replacing him with Dave Hill was a joke..Les has incredible double bass technique and his use of accents is mind blowing..Reminds me of Philthy Animal Taylor of Motorhead coupled with Cozy Powell..Wherever you are Les you still can play your ass off..One of my favorites in early 70's metal drummers circle..
+terrance singerling - replaced with dave HOLLAND, not dave HILL. hill is bassist ;) but i'm agree with your opinion. unleashed in the east is the best live-recorded album ever.
Les Binks was a huge influence on me, and I'm so grateful for that. In the same way that Bonham and Simon Phillips were for me. All three very powerful drummers with amazing feel, finesse and musicality. I can't believe he didn't go on to have a better career in drummer. This makes me somewhat sad watching this, but who knows, maybe his happy.
One thing that gets me is why no other bands snapped him up for example and no disrespect to Vinny Appice but Sabbath should have replaced Bill Ward with Les when he left or maybe Blackmore could have got him for Rainbow when Cozy left
Glad you enjoyed it. He was great - turned up in a station wagon packed with drums and went to work! You can't tell from this as it sounds acoustic, but his drumming through the PA was like thunder... awesome.
to be honest i think all of the Judas Priest drummers were great. Alan Morre, Les Binks (who's real name is actually James), Dave Holland and Scott Travis. i think they were all as good as each other
I cant believe this! Les Binks, WOW! 1 of my biggest influences of all times........wow and he's great! If the Priests saw him now they would probably say "We shouldve kept him"! Lol! Thanks a million for this outstanding video of him shredding, he's 1 of my favorites!
I was fortunate to see Judas Priest on the Hell Bent for Leather and Unleashed in the East tours. Band was spectacular and Les Binks was incredible. I saw them at their peak. I love every era of Priest and have seen them in 70s,80s,90s and the last tour they did with KK. Phenomenal band.\m/
I'll never understand why they let this guy go. or why they continue to cut robo-drummer Travis a paycheck while Les still draws breath. Best drummer Priest ever had by a mile, hands-down.
Really good drummer, but id have to state scott travis as not only best priest drummer has ever had, but also one within top-5 world wide". His double bass triplets, transitioned into combined double bass/symbol timing is unique. As well as his endurance being very high. Plus scott has actual teaching Abilitys, beginner through very advanced. Hes very patient, also knows all interested must start somewhere. Being said he had tricks that leave felix the cat within land time forgot" ive attended 2 priest shows, large arenas, scott is stellar and beyond.
Into the best songs of Judas Priest into his best albums, the drummer was Dave Holland, and Well, i knew Judas Priest with screaming for vengeance album, so for me the best Judas Priest's drummer was Dave Holland, he was a great drummer with a perfect tempo, he never lost a note, not in studio and not in live performances. Rip Dave Holland, you was a metal god.
Thanks for that! Yes LB is seriously under-represented on here. He certainly put a shift in. The day Les came to town was a unique day never to be repeated.
WOW. My new hero... Up there with Peart, Bonham and this guy. WOW. Creative, massive talent... rally mixes it up well. I've always been a fan of Buddy Rich but his solo' got redundant to me. This is just awesome.
Why, why, why did this guy ever leave Judas Priest? Don't get me wrong, I know why but, why? Could you imagine what the "Painkiller" album would've been like with Les Binks? I hope this guy gets enough royalties that he never has to work a day job. What he did on "stained class" and "killing machine" is some of the finest beat laying ever beaten or laid.
Fantastic drummer. Lovely feel to his drumming, reminds me a bit of Ian Paice. Great dynamics, ups and downs and relaxed yet exciting technique. Best drummer Priest ever had, surprised he didn't go on to other major things. Dave Holland couldn't even be his drum tech in my opinion. Love ya Les
Les Binks was the Best drummer Judas Priest ever had, as well as one of the original members, his drumming gave the band that signature sound we all know & love.
Best Priest drummer. I love Scott Travis but Les just killed it. Great technique !! His drum tracks are amazing with Priest. Dave Holland was a useless hack. I don't know why they ever hired him.
Why priest let go of phillips or binks is beyond me. Scott travis rocks but these two old school drummers along with neil peart , barriemore barlow and steward copeland were the shyt in rock drumming when I was in high school
Simon P. was never a member of the band, he recorded sin after sin strictly as a session drummer. L. Binks was also originally hired as a session drummer too for the Stained Class record, but was kept-on for the follow tour and the next album.
What I loved about les was the subtle licks you hear when you put on headphones and really listen. Straight 4/4 beats by him have some cool syncopated stuff.
It was incredible having him do this - the locals had never seen anything like it. You can't tell from this old video but the drums were linked up to a really powerful PA system and the walls of the shops across the square were literally vibrating to Les's thunder.
yes, simon is a legend, but was never "in" band- they hired him as a session drummer for that album so shouldn't really be included in a discussion about Priest Drummers
Dave Holland and Scott Travis are okay drummers. If anything, I blame Judas Priest for commercializing their music since Les Binks probably refused to simplify his drumming.
OutDoorKitchenBoy Holland was actually very good, but played in an era where Priest drumming was simplified. Travis is a great metal drummer in the Mickey Dee mode.
john pyle Dave Holland is a good drummer. Furthermore, if Glenn and the others let Les perform how he wants, he would had stick with Priest til this day.
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As a lifelong Priest fan, I constantly fantasize about Les Binks rejoining Judas Priest. His smooth and technical style allowed them to utilize all their creative talents to their fullest extent, if you think about it. Simon Phillips brought Priest double bass with his session drumming on Sin After Sin, which helped unlock their true colors in songwriting, musicianship, and overall sound. Les was the only logical fit for them when they were looking for a new drummer in early 1977. They were a much more creative band with him in the fold, and crowds went insane for his drumming while he was in Priest. I've heard all the bootlegs, and they make Stained Class and Killing Machine pale in comparison. He truly commanded the show with his drumming, and hearing entire audiences roar after a Les Binks solo just makes you wonder what happened in July 1979, because JP lost something extremely special. Not even Scott Travis can hold a candle; I don't think there's a contest at all.
Your right on! cool post
i feel glenn was tired of being overshadowed by the drummer. binks stole the show EVERY night.
I wouldn't go that far but Les should have been Priests drummer forever!
Indeed Priest were at their very best with Les Binks (and Simon Phillips on Sin after Sin). Whatever reason their was for Binks departure is just a terrible shame. The band was never as good after the stellar Binks era. The albums after Unleashed would have only been better had Binks remained the drummer, and the band would've aged with far more integrity. If anyone in the band could've used replacing early on its Ian Hill, who in my opinion is average at best.
+sabbathtribute Binks left on his own because he wasn't happy with the direction the band was going. They started working on British Steel and it had shorter, radio friendly songs. He wanted them to continue with Stained Class and Leather compositions.
Scott Travis: Technicality
Dave Holland: Groove
Les Binks: EVERYTHING
Simon Phillips
@@KevinBARRYFoster But Phillips (my favorite of all of them) never toured with Priest, did he?
Dave Holland sounds hardest for me. Binks so cool.
@@Incomudro1963 i say no he only recording the album on studio
Certainly THE best drummer Judas Priest has EVER had...Les Binks!!!
Binks and Philips had the best drumming on any Priest records
One of the best rock drummers ever, who seldom gets his due recognition.
He's now a Hall of Famer 👍.
Wow this dude can play thats for sure. Like an old school jazz drummer, very skilled indeed
Although I can't quite take his snare tone, his melody, groove, and dynamics are beautiful. Definitely too good for pop-Priest, if I were him that stuff would have driven me away too.
Best drummer Judas Priest EVER had...Les Binks!!!
What a drummer! I didn't expected that kinda fusion jazz solo on ex Judas priest drummer. I have Stained Class and Killing Machine on vinyl format and love his drum parts.
He is the person who wrote Beyond the Relms of Death. with Rob. Best JP drummer ever ,
Makes me glad to see all the support Les gets in these comments.I hope he knows he has a lot of fans all over the world! You knew when to play double bass and when not to,like shifting gears! I love it Dynamics is what it is all about.
Les played on "Stained Class" which had "Exciter" and "White Heat/Red Hot". He also played on "Hell Bent For Leather". The songs he played on never sounded the same with any other drummer.
My fav Priest drummer
WOW!!
this is incredible!! next to Bill Ward, Les IS my greatest drumming inspiration. when i was in Toxik, we did a raging cover of Judas Priests' Exciter as their years with him were a crucial influence to our music. thank SO much 4 posting this. is there any way to contact this guy?
hey man! LOVE the album Think This -you did with Toxik. incredible Guitar & Drum work - band definitely deserved a lot more attention
Les was the best drummer for JP.Versatile,dynamic in the pocket good flowing groove drummer.I can't believe they got rid of him.Keep going MR BINKS!
Holy smokes byes !!!!!! What an awesome drummer !!!!! I remember the name from early Judas Priest . I love this drummer !!!!! Great style and technical as hell !!!!! His selection of percussive pieces in his kit are very personal and distinct and I love the sounds of all of him s cymbals !!!!! Hello Les !!!!! Keep on rocking brother !!!!!!!
This is actually my favorite drum solo of ALL time. The only other solo that I find interesting is Moby Dick and some T Aldridge stuff - only because it was so unique - but this, this is just cool it covers it all and has some grit. Les Binks is a - Legend
It would be great if Les Binks and KK Downing would collaborate and make an album.
I heard today they are getting together with ripper owens
Your dreams have come true... sort of...
live at K.K metal mill
They have a band now. KK’s Priest, with Tim Ripper Owens on vocals too.
Really good solo, but what I loved was how played on the Priest tunes. Best fit for them. Phillips was their best drummer technically. MONSTER!
Never heard him solo.
Holy fuck. He gets nothing but praise, but he deserves even more.
Les binks on unleashed in the East (my first metal album) was and still is one of biggest influences on my playing! So pleased he's finally getting some well overdue praise! Gutted when he wasn't with them when I saw them on British steel tour, still loved priest but imagine if he'd stayed?
I really dig Scott Travis, but Les Binks was the best drummer Priest ever had. First Priest album I ever bought was Unleashed in the East and the drums blew my mind even back then - I think I was 11. Without Binks I don't think that album would be the classic it is today. Why they got rid of him I'll never understand.
You seem to be speaking in my name too. My falling-in-love-with-Priest story is nearly identical. And while I just might understand why they got rid of Les Binks, I will NEVER understand why they hired Dave Holland, who is besides a lousy drummer also a child molester!
Iztok Volk lol! I agree with y'all about Binks - he was a friggin' badass drummer for PRIEST. I dig Holland's playing, too, though. That's probably 'cause the albums that he played on are nostalgic for me - I grew up jammin' to "Screaming for Vengeance". I do not like the fact that he plays with young boys' wee-wees, though! Fucking weird shit, huh?! lol! I just found out about that recently....very disappointing.....& despicable. The boy was mentally challenged, also, which makes it even worse. :/
I like Scott's drumming , but I prefer Led Binks' style
simon phillips, guys
@@JasonPizzolato That young boy was 17 if it in fact did happen
I agree with superzombie, Dave holland was a great drummer. LB is also great as is ST. Please stop comparing, each man left his great stamp on the band. They are all great, or they wouldn't have been in the band. They all did/do the job at hand. I can say , for myself, I can listen to 3JP records back to back with the 3 and still enjoy them all. Les /Dave/Scott, all great! Quit comparing and enjoy them all!
@@rbagel55 He wasn't and he did all in his power to fight that charge. Even if you say he was a homo the kid he supposedly raped was 17
What a beast. Amazing performance!
This is incredible! Thanks for sharing. I'd bet that the drums are happy that they are being played like a set of drums want to be played. Blue collar, meat and potatoes way of doin' it Les! Rock on forever hard!
I have been a Judas priest fan and a drummer since the early eighties, and without question Les was the best drummer the Priest ever had!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He’s nearly 70 now and he’s just started a new band with KK Downing and Tim Ripper Owens. Hopefully they play a lot of the Stained Class/Killing Machine songs, because he still has it.
Les Bink's Priesthood. Gigged a few times this year, the dude has still got what it takes
I'm a drummer, and I don't think it's a coincidence that my favorite Judas Priest albums are "Stained Class" and "Hell Bent For Leather", probably in that order.
jazz trained drummers = best metal drummers.
TRUE THAT! Bill Ward, Ian Paice, Cozy Powell,...the list goes on...
They can play it all
Considering that double bass ajd stuff were created by jazz guys ..
Yes
Word!
@@martinnitschmusic Gar Samuelson
Simply one of the greats, up their will John Bonham and Bill Ward... Dave Holland fit the Priest sound of the 80's but Les's style was the peak of metal and energy that made Priest what they became and his talent inspired thousands even if he's never named.
Always loved Les Binks drumming, pissed me off when JP replaced him with someone half as good.
His rendition of "Victim of Changes" on Unleashed in the East is far better than the original by Alan Moore.
back in 78-79 les knew what we needed/wanted and gave it to us. god bless you les!!!!
I think Les Binks left Judas Priest because the rest of the band couldn't keep up with him
It was more of an issue with Judas Priest's management (who tried to screw him out of money for his performance on Unleashed In The East).
How do you go from This BEAST on drums to Dave Holland???????
So late they regretted for that decision and hired Scott Travis. But I prefer Les.
craigster1573 from a beast to a bloody butcher, a great mystery indeed
Get this. Binks said in a 2017 interview that he left because he was hired as a "freelance session drummer" for Judas Priest, and then-manager Mike Dolan suggested that he should "waive his fees", i.e. not get paid for his performance, on the live "Unleashed in the East" album, a RIAA certified platinum seller. That's proof how crooked the music industry is.
Les Binks was good and I personally like this kind of drumming. But Dave Holland was perfect for his job. His style was more simple and straightforward and that's exactly what the band wanted from 1980 onwards 'till the late 80's. British Steel, Screaming for Vengeance and Defenders of the Faith are probably the most legendary Priest albums and I wonder if Binks would've even wanted to play in the band if he wasn't allowed to play in his own style.
Dave simply was the best drummer for Priests music.
As a drummer who was highly influenced by Les, I can't imagine what it must feel like to have that level of skill and control... so seemingly effortless. Truly an amazing drummer.
Les Binks is great! Period. Priest were foolish to get rid of him. He is the best drummer they ever had. Granted,Scott Travis is good but he is no Les Binks..
Better than any Scott Travis solo I've heard- and I do like Scott Travis....
Scott Travis is so "meh". Not even the 4th best drummer that JP had.
Scott was influenced by Les Binks
@@adameves5970 are you joking? You think he's worse than fucking Dave Holland? Sure Scott is a one trick pony with his double bass pedal, but at least he was skilled enough to play on painkiller. They used a drum machine of ram it down because Holland wasn't technical enough
@@davidnissim589 Scott didn’t even start listening to JP until he was an accomplished drummer in his late 20s.
Best drummer they ever had.
Actually, Simon Phillips was the best drummer they ever had, but unfortunately, he never joined the band and only played on one album. Sin After Sin has the best drumming of any Priest album. The new guy, Scott? All his beats sound the same to me...typical machine gun double bass just like every other metal band out there.
@@acesmitty6441 Every time I'm certain nobody out there has a clue in hell... Cheers mate! Couldn't have said it better myself!
@Kal El He is a great drummer but for some reason it feels like he holds back a lot. He is the racer x drummer after all.
True that. A jazz man who joined a metal band.
@@acesmitty6441 actually i think alan moore was credited as playing on the sin after sin album.according ti wiki.
Makes me wonder what the later JP albums would've sounded like had Les stayed in the band. He's a great drummer.
Much better and progressive than they do from drums perspective that's for sure.
He's one of those old school drummer, not the hardest hitting guy around but tons of groove and tons of chops up his sleeve, almost jazzy, finesse and nuances for days, great double strokes, great speed, pioneered double kicks like no other... Amazing musician. Curious to hear him with KK soon.
He is not hitting the drums hard but drums are sounding absolutely huge when he's playing. Everything what he played is just spot on, simply perfect hits. He is very ,very technically skilled drummer
Always liked Les with Priest. Do I hear a hint of Simon Phillips?
He is, was a jazz drummer before going into priest. At least that's what I read, or heard years ago
Absolutely loved it , takes you back to the classic priest albums stained class and killing machine top man
Anyone who took over from Simon Philips (who was 18 when he recorded Sin After Sin with Priest, let's not forget) needed to be exceptional, and Les was up to the job. He is certainly one of the most under-rated of players, listen to his footwork in the age of sluggish old single BD pedals played on two separate BDs. He's one of my all time fave sticksmen. A gem of a video! Thanks
Very dynamic and musical drummer! one can see his influences, the Mozambique a la Steve Gadd, the Double Bass pattern a la Carmine Appice and the octobans a a Neil Peart. He was very versatile.
Brilliant solo. Thank you for posting it. I wish I could find live footage of Binks with Priest in the seventies. As much as I respect and enjoy Scott Travis, Binks was the best drummer priest ever had and its a shame they didn't work out. Dave Holland was a good drummer as well, but he's not in the same category as Travis and Binks.
Defo the best out of Priests 3 main drummers. Dave had good groove and played tastefully but he lacked technique and was sometimes predictable. Scott has great technique and can play really fast complex stuff but he lacks groove and sometimes overplays. Les had groove, technique and could be both tasteful and complex. He had the lot, ticked all the boxes :)
LES is my favorite
I hated Dave for years until now .
Because i listened stuff outside Priest and he s not playing the same at all.
Trapeze , Glenn hughes, Al atkins .
More double bass playing , more jazzy and he was Killer on Funk .
Not the more technical .
But he was more capable than most people think .
I love scott too.
But again , he played more groovy and with finesse not only in the early 90s than Now.
But in 80s .. his solos and some drums part in Hawk and Racer X were more nuanced and varied and even more technical than in Priest .
That’s because Les started off as a jazz drummer. He had that musical technicality long before he became a metal drummer.
@@Nissardpertugiu
Dave was great with Trapeze!
But, Les is the man! His fills are amazing, They added to the songs. He makes his drums talk.
For all the drummers out there…..Les Binks is/was very special! We’re talking insane physical ability and creativity. What a shame Judas Priest let him go…..
Best Judas Priest drummer EVER!
dave holland was the best
Yes, agreed, but...Dave Holland was special/incredible with all things Glenn Hughes in the 70's. Check him out on Hughes' solo effort Play Me Out, his funk drumming is awesome.
I think that Scott is best JP drummer, but Binks is nice too.
Simon Phillips!
@@jasperedwards3341 you can't be serious?
HOLY FUCKING SHIT?!?!!! PHENOMENAL drumming from my favorite and 2nd influential drummer!!! Definitely a MAJOR factor in me becoming a drummer myself!!! 🤘 Judas Priest went downhill (for me personally) after Les' departure from the band! And, 🤔 IMPO, Dave Holland SUXXX on drums, and..............little boys...... 😨😲😠🖕💩
Les Binks was the best drummer in Judas Priest's history..Replacing him with Dave Hill was a joke..Les has incredible double bass technique and his use of accents is mind blowing..Reminds me of Philthy Animal Taylor of Motorhead coupled with Cozy Powell..Wherever you are Les you still can play your ass off..One of my favorites in early 70's metal drummers circle..
+terrance singerling - replaced with dave HOLLAND, not dave HILL. hill is bassist ;) but i'm agree with your opinion. unleashed in the east is the best live-recorded album ever.
terrance singerling . Les Bink's priesthood. Have gigged a few times this year, this dude has still got what it takes
He’s started a new band with KK Downing, so all of us Priest fans will be able to hear him play again.
Les Binks was a huge influence on me, and I'm so grateful for that. In the same way that Bonham and Simon Phillips were for me. All three very powerful drummers with amazing feel, finesse and musicality. I can't believe he didn't go on to have a better career in drummer. This makes me somewhat sad watching this, but who knows, maybe his happy.
Judas Priest best drummer EVER !!!
One thing that gets me is why no other bands snapped him up for example and no disrespect to Vinny Appice but Sabbath should have replaced Bill Ward with Les when he left or maybe Blackmore could have got him for Rainbow when Cozy left
They never made him a member got a fee never royalties manager was a thief. The band I guess didn't make decisions or reach out to him pretty sad.
Glad you enjoyed it. He was great - turned up in a station wagon packed with drums and went to work! You can't tell from this as it sounds acoustic, but his drumming through the PA was like thunder...
awesome.
Wow cool Les
to be honest i think all of the Judas Priest drummers were great. Alan Morre, Les Binks (who's real name is actually James), Dave Holland and Scott Travis. i think they were all as good as each other
Good solo! Reminds me of Ginger Baker during the Cream days with a touch of John Bonham. I've always loved his drum work with Priest.
I cant believe this! Les Binks, WOW! 1 of my biggest influences of all times........wow and he's great! If the Priests saw him now they would probably say "We shouldve kept him"! Lol! Thanks a million for this outstanding video of him shredding, he's 1 of my favorites!
I was fortunate to see Judas Priest on the Hell Bent for Leather and Unleashed in the East tours. Band was spectacular and Les Binks was incredible. I saw them at their peak. I love every era of Priest and have seen them in 70s,80s,90s and the last tour they did with KK. Phenomenal band.\m/
Fantastic drummer, all time fave in Judas Priest. Underrated world wide
I'll never understand why they let this guy go. or why they continue to cut robo-drummer Travis a paycheck while Les still draws breath. Best drummer Priest ever had by a mile, hands-down.
Scott had feel .
But 35 years ago
Really good drummer, but id have to state scott travis as not only best priest drummer has ever had, but also one within top-5 world wide". His double bass triplets, transitioned into combined double bass/symbol timing is unique. As well as his endurance being very high. Plus scott has actual teaching Abilitys, beginner through very advanced. Hes very patient, also knows all interested must start somewhere. Being said he had tricks that leave felix the cat within land time forgot" ive attended 2 priest shows, large arenas, scott is stellar and beyond.
don't forget travis poor live time.
Into the best songs of Judas Priest into his best albums, the drummer was Dave Holland, and Well, i knew Judas Priest with screaming for vengeance album, so for me the best Judas Priest's drummer was Dave Holland, he was a great drummer with a perfect tempo, he never lost a note, not in studio and not in live performances. Rip Dave Holland, you was a metal god.
Thanks for that! Yes LB is seriously under-represented on here. He certainly put a shift in. The day Les came to town was a unique day never to be repeated.
I'm still trying to work out why he left? I always thought he was great.
Dislike? No sir, it would be DIS I LIKE!
I wish he would have stayed with Priest. Hands down the best drummer Priest has ever had.
WOW. My new hero... Up there with Peart, Bonham and this guy. WOW. Creative, massive talent... rally mixes it up well. I've always been a fan of Buddy Rich but his solo' got redundant to me. This is just awesome.
The best era of JUDAS PRIEST - LES BINKS!!!
Why, why, why did this guy ever leave Judas Priest? Don't get me wrong, I know why but, why? Could you imagine what the "Painkiller" album would've been like with Les Binks? I hope this guy gets enough royalties that he never has to work a day job. What he did on "stained class" and "killing machine" is some of the finest beat laying ever beaten or laid.
He left because Priest’s manager wanted him to give up his royalties from Unleashed In The East.
2024....still an epic solo to showcase LB 's talent.
Stunning!
Fantastic drummer. Lovely feel to his drumming, reminds me a bit of Ian Paice. Great dynamics, ups and downs and relaxed yet exciting technique. Best drummer Priest ever had, surprised he didn't go on to other major things. Dave Holland couldn't even be his drum tech in my opinion. Love ya Les
Les Binks was the Best drummer Judas Priest ever had, as well as one of the original members, his drumming gave the band that signature sound we all know & love.
Not an original member,came on board for stained class album.
Fourth of six.
Best Priest drummer. I love Scott Travis but Les just killed it. Great technique !! His drum tracks are amazing with Priest. Dave Holland was a useless hack. I don't know why they ever hired him.
Great video!!! Les Binks is in my top 5 all time drummers!!! Influenced me greatly!!!
Amazing drumming. Les Binks is fantastic.
Like playing for 15 minutes whitout boring the listener,it,s rare for a drummer.great drummer,a king whitout a crown
Exactly... and he played with others on the day too
Great drumming...hevshould not been thrown out of Priest...
Why priest let go of phillips or binks is beyond me. Scott travis rocks but these two old school drummers along with neil peart , barriemore barlow and steward copeland were the shyt in rock drumming when I was in high school
Simon P. was never a member of the band, he recorded sin after sin strictly as a session drummer. L. Binks was also originally hired as a session drummer too for the Stained Class record, but was kept-on for the follow tour and the next album.
What I loved about les was the subtle licks you hear when you put on headphones and really listen. Straight 4/4 beats by him have some cool syncopated stuff.
beautiful piece of drumming
Wow simon phillips uses same set up, and muffles his bass drums the same way...wonder who copied from who?????
He is a genius !
my favorite drummers are bill ward, mitch mitchel and les binks!
delivering the goods as usual
best priest drummer..and best music period for priest when he was there
It was incredible having him do this - the locals had never seen anything like it. You can't tell from this old video but the drums were linked up to a really powerful PA system and the walls of the shops across the square were literally vibrating to Les's thunder.
A special drummer! Actually, a special MUSICIAN...
I was just listening to "Judas Priest,unleashed in the east" and had to look up Les Binks, my pick for best Priest drummer by far!
Excellent! & thanks to who ever recorded this..
Simon Phillips did some killer work as well on Sin After Sin.
yes, simon is a legend, but was never "in" band- they hired him as a session drummer for that album so shouldn't really be included in a discussion about Priest Drummers
@@Just4CaliJames false .
He was asked to join .
But Simon was committed with Jack bruce
Yes, but he was just a session man, not an official member. Both are versatile, but Les is more of a "metal" drummer and fits the songs a lot better.
JAMAS ENTENDI QUE PASO CON ESTE GRAN Y FUERA DE SERIE, UNO DE LOS MEJORES BATERIAS DEL MUNDO, PORQUE SE INFRAVALORO ESTE GENIO DE LA BATERIA??
no cabe duda que judas priest formo muy buenos bateristas, este ya es una leyenda simplemente por el hecho de haber formado parte de los priest.
WOW ¨What a great Drummer he is !!
Dave Holland and Scott Travis are okay drummers. If anything, I blame Judas Priest for commercializing their music since Les Binks probably refused to simplify his drumming.
OutDoorKitchenBoy Holland was actually very good, but played in an era where Priest drumming was simplified. Travis is a great metal drummer in the Mickey Dee mode.
john pyle Dave Holland is a good drummer. Furthermore, if Glenn and the others let Les perform how he wants, he would had stick with Priest til this day.
Well you can't blame them.It made them very rich.
he was too good..they wanted a simple drummer, Dave Holland..Glenn and KK did not want to share the musicianship spotlight
Les in a recent interview said that he left Priest because their management refused to pay him for his drumming on unleashed in the east.
Rock MONSTER!!!!! With obvious jazz leanings of finesse
Thanks for uploading! This is too awesome!! Blown away...amazing Drummer and a great guy! \m/