David Crosby Called Judas Priest ‘Heavy Metal Garbage,’ Refused to Share Stage with Them
Shockwaves in Rock: David Crosby Blasts Judas Priest as “Heavy Metal Garbage,” Refuses to Share Stage
July 11, 2025 | Rock & Culture News Desk
In a moment that has reignited age-old tensions between rock purists and heavy metal icons, the late legendary singer-songwriter **David Crosby** is making headlines once again — this time posthumously — after a recently surfaced interview revealed that he **flat-out refused to share a stage with British metal giants Judas Priest**, calling their music “*heavy metal garbage.*”
The comments, recorded during a private conversation in the mid-2000s and released this week as part of a new documentary series on backstage conflicts in music history, have sparked intense debate among fans of both artists.
### “Not My Kind of Noise”
Known for his sharp opinions and no-filter commentary, Crosby didn’t mince words when asked about a potential joint appearance at a benefit concert that once considered pairing acts from across the rock spectrum.
> “They asked me if I’d go on the same bill as Judas Priest,” Crosby said in the newly uncovered audio.
> “I said, ‘Absolutely not. That’s not music, that’s heavy metal garbage.’ I’m not sharing the stage with that kind of noise.”
Crosby, a founding member of **The Byrds** and **Crosby, Stills, Nash (and Young)**, was long known for his melodic, harmony-driven folk-rock and outspoken views on the evolution of music. But few expected such a blunt dismissal of a band that helped define an entire genre.
### Judas Priest Responds with Class
While David Crosby passed away in 2023, the comments have quickly made their way to the remaining members of **Judas Priest**, who responded with characteristic grace — and a dash of metal defiance.
> “We’ve always known metal’s not for everyone,” said **Rob Halford**, the band’s frontman.
> “But we’re proud of what we do and the fans we’ve inspired over the decades. If David didn’t get it — that’s okay. Music’s a wide world.”
### Fans React: Clash of Eras and Attitudes
Social media exploded with mixed reactions. Crosby loyalists defended his right to artistic preference, while metalheads accused him of musical elitism.
> “Crosby helped shape folk-rock. Priest helped shape metal. Both changed music. Why the hate?” one fan posted.
> Another quipped: “Imagine thinking ‘Cowgirl in the Sand’ rocks harder than ‘Painkiller.’ Be serious.”
Some have pointed out that Crosby’s rejection may reflect a broader generational divide in musical values — melody versus aggression, introspection versus rebellion.
### Final Notes
This controversy, though stemming from comments made years ago, serves as a reminder of how passionate and personal musical identity can be. David Crosby may have never shared a stage with Judas Priest — but now, in a strange way, their names are forever linked in one of rock’s most unexpected posthumous showdowns.
As one fan put it:
> “Crosby sang about peace. Priest screams power. Maybe we need both.”
— *Stay tuned for more stories from the untold backstage history of rock.*
