Judas Priest opens summer tour here

7/4/2002
Members of the British heavy metal band Judas Priest pose at a London hotel Nov. 4, 1997. From left, K.K. Downing, Ripper Owens, and Glenn Tipton. Owens, 29, had for years been lead singer in a Judas Priest tribute band in Ohio. He makes his debut as the lead singer in the band of his dreams on Judas Priest's first album in seven years,
Members of the British heavy metal band Judas Priest pose at a London hotel Nov. 4, 1997. From left, K.K. Downing, Ripper Owens, and Glenn Tipton. Owens, 29, had for years been lead singer in a Judas Priest tribute band in Ohio. He makes his debut as the lead singer in the band of his dreams on Judas Priest's first album in seven years, "Jugulator." (AP Phot/Louisa Buller)

British heavy-metal band Judas Priest kicks off its North American summer tour tonight in Toledo.

“A Night with Judas Priest” begins at 8 p.m. in the Hard Hat Cafe, 4500 North Detroit Ave. The performance is the first of a tour that ends next month.

Hard Hat officials expect at least 700 people to attend tonight's show. The group plans to perform some of its newer songs, as well as classics such as “Desert Plains” and “Turbo Lover.”

Band members are vocalist Ripper Owens, guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis.

This month, Judas Priest is releasing a DVD, Live in London, which was filmed last December at a concert at the Brixton Academy in London. The band's most recent releases are “Demolition” last summer and Grammy-nominated “Jugulator” in 1997.

Advance tickets are $20 and are available at Ticketmaster. At the door, tickets are $22. Information: 419-269-1770 or www.judaspriest.com.