As prominent leaders of the rapidly evolving New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden were natural partners for an electrifying tour. The latter band made a shrewd decision to inject some competitive spirit by joining the former’s iconic British Steel tour on March 7, 1980. This collaboration not only showcased their respective talents but also highlighted the burgeoning metal scene that was capturing the attention of fans worldwide.

Both bands epitomized a subgenre characterized by the British press, merging the intricate sounds of heavy metal with the raw speed and energy of punk rock. They shared the stage with other notable acts like Def Leppard, Motorhead, and Saxon, although some of these groups were less enthusiastic about being categorized under this label.

Reflecting on this phenomenon, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford expressed his thoughts in his 2020 memoir Confess, stating, “Now, many bands dislike being pigeonholed by music journalists, but I welcomed the idea of the New Wave. After being overlooked for so long, it was refreshing for metal to finally receive recognition. It felt like a well-deserved validation.”

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Discover How ‘British Steel’ Catapulted Judas Priest to Metal Superstardom

Judas Priest was on the brink of achieving significant global recognition. In April 1980, they were set to release their sixth studio album, British Steel, which would become a defining record of ’80s heavy metal. With popular tracks like “Living After Midnight” and “Breaking the Law,” British Steel soared to the Top 5 on the British charts and broke into the Top 40 in the United States, effectively transforming Judas Priest into a major arena-filling act.

The excitement was palpable as Judas Priest launched their British Steel tour, making it a perfect opportunity for Iron Maiden to join them. The rising stars had built anticipation with their debut single “Running Free,” which debuted in February 1980, and they were set to release their self-titled album in April, coinciding with British Steel.

Iron Maiden quickly gained acclaim for their high-octane performance style and energetic presence. So, when asked about their participation in the Judas Priest tour, frontman Paul Di’Anno made a bold statement, setting the stage for friendly rivalry.

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Iron Maiden’s Bold Challenge: ‘We’ll Outperform Judas Priest Every Night’

<p"On the eve of the tour, during a press interview, Iron Maiden’s then-vocalist, Paul Di’Anno, confidently asserted that they would outshine Judas Priest every night. Halford recounted, “I didn’t worry about it at all, because for one, they were mistaken, and secondly, that’s the kind of bravado young bands are expected to display! We had done the same to major bands we supported, so why shouldn’t they? I found it amusing.”

However, Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing didn’t share Halford’s lighthearted view. Halford noted that Downing was deeply offended and even suggested that they should remove Maiden from the tour. “The rest of us felt that would be an overreaction to a casual comment, but he was genuinely furious,” Halford recounted.

In the end, cooler heads prevailed, and Judas Priest initiated the European leg of their British Steel tour at Cardiff University in Wales on March 7, 1980, with Iron Maiden in tow. Despite the buzz surrounding both bands and their shared commitment to excellence, they didn’t socialize much offstage, apart from one potentially awkward moment that thankfully didn’t escalate.

“We didn’t socialize with Maiden much during that tour, but perhaps I took Di’Anno’s comment about overshadowing Priest too seriously… because one night when we got drunk together, I attempted to flirt with him!” Halford revealed. “We went to my room for more drinks, but I was too inebriated to make a move, and he was too intoxicated to even realize what I intended.”

He added, “I think it was definitely for the best.”

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Burying the Hatchet: Judas Priest and Iron Maiden Reconcile

The collaboration proved successful, as Iron Maiden continued to support Judas Priest on tours in 1981 and 1982. Years later, Di’Anno reflected on his earlier comments about Judas Priest, acknowledging the absurdity of the situation and revealing that he and his bandmates were actually big fans of their tour companions.

“If I recall correctly, there was an article suggesting that Maiden had been disparaging Priest, or something to that effect,” Di’Anno shared in a 2004 interview with Rock Hard. “But I’m convinced it was exaggerated because we were all fans of Judas Priest. The story was blown out of proportion, as is often the case, but I’m certain there’s no lingering resentment, as I’ve met Rob Halford and the rest of the Priest guys several times, and everything has always gone smoothly.”

Downing also affirmed that despite Di’Anno’s bravado, Judas Priest maintained their dominance during the British Steel tour. “Let me clarify, they didn’t outshine Judas Priest in any way,” the guitarist stated in a 2018 interview with Eddie Trunk. “We were already well-established at that time, while they were still rising through the ranks. That’s just how it went down. However, it didn’t create a positive atmosphere on the tour, and that’s not something I enjoy reflecting on.”

Nonetheless, both bands ultimately reconciled. Downing recounted, “I encountered Paul Di’Anno years later, around 1985, and he apologized, saying, ‘Hey, K.K., we’re sorry about that quote in the paper.’ And that was all that was necessary.”