Les Binks died aged 74 in London. Source: @METALKTALKS/YOUTUBEcover
Legendary Judas Priest drummer Les Binks has died at age 74, leaving fans and musicians mourning his loss.
A funeral notice confirmed Binks passed away at a hospital in London surrounded by loved ones.
He was a cherished brother to Stephen, Movine, Irene, and the late Tamela, Ann, and Carole.
While some reports listed March 15 as his death date, Judas Priest confirmed his passing on Tuesday, April 15.
Judas Priest paid tribute to Les Binks on Instagram, expressing deep sadness and sending love to his fans and family.
The band praised Binks’ drumming as “first class,” highlighting his style, technique, flair, and precision behind the kit.
They thanked him for his legacy, saying his musical excellence will continue to inspire generations of drummers.
Binks reunited with Judas Priest in 2022, performing with them for the first time in 43 years.
He joined the band onstage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in November 2022.
This performance marked one of his final public appearances before his passing.
Binks earned fame for drumming on Judas Priest’s iconic 1978 albums Stained Class and Killing Machine.
Les Binks joined Judas Priest in 1977 after performing with Eric Burdon and the Animals and the funk band War.
He played with Judas Priest until 1979, leaving a lasting impact on the band’s heavy metal sound.
Fans flooded the comment section, mourning Binks and honoring his influence on the genre.
One fan wrote, “Very sad news, an excellent drummer who was an integral part of the Priest sound.”
Another added, “Les deserves so much respect and recognition for his contributions to shaping heavy metal. May he RIP.”
A third fan wrote, “Rest in peace and power. Your metal legacy will never be forgotten.”
Fans praised Binks for his “precise” and “powerful” drumming style, calling his death “a sad day” for metal.
Besides drumming, Binks also played bass and appeared on Roger Glover’s 1974 project The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper’s Feast.
He earned a writing credit for Judas Priest’s Beyond the Realms of Death from the Stained Class album.
The cause of death remains undisclosed. His funeral notice requested donations to the Chest, Heart & Stroke Association.
Les Binks was born on August 8, 1951, in Portadown, Northern Ireland.
