Glenn Tipton & Rob Halford, 2022 50 Heavy Metal Years tour.

Glenn Tipton & Rob Halford, 2022 50 Heavy Metal Years tour.

 

 

Celebrating Half a Century: Glenn Tipton & Rob Halford Rock the 2022 ‘50 Heavy Metal Years’ Tour

In 2022, **Judas Priest** – the titans of heavy metal – marked an extraordinary milestone with the **“50 Heavy Metal Years” tour**, an electrifying celebration of their legendary career. Central to this momentous run were original guitarist **Glenn Tipton** and vocal powerhouse **Rob Halford**, whose reunion underscored the passion and resilience behind the band’s enduring legacy.

### 🗓️ A Return to Glor

After being sidelined in 2018 due to Parkinson’s disease, Tipton made notable onstage returns in 2022 during the North American leg of the tour—including intimate performances in Las Vegas and Oakland. On March 13 at Las Vegas’s Zappos Theater, after Halford introduced him as a “heavy metal hero,” Tipton joined the band to perform iconic tracks like *“Metal Gods,” “Breaking the Law,”* and *“Living After Midnight”* ([hennemusic.com][1])

Tipton’s appearances offered fans rare yet unforgettable glimpses of his signature dual-guitar attack, reminding the world that despite his health struggles, the spirit of Priest’s classic sound remains unbroken.

### 💪 Halford’s Tribute to a Metal Warrior

Rob Halford paid glowing tribute to his fellow icon, lauding Tipton as **“a heavy metal hero whether he likes it or not.”** He praised Tipton’s unwavering courage, describing how he battled through Parkinson’s to contribute to the *Firepower* album, and quietly passed on touring duties when needed ([rockandrollgarage.com][2]).

Halford emphasized Tipton’s decision to step back was deeply rooted in his professionalism and dedication to the band’s high performance standards—ensuring fans always experienced Judas Priest at their best.

### 🎶 Crafting the Perfect Setlist

The 2022 tour was more than a nostalgia trip—it was a carefully curated celebration of Priest’s vast catalog. The band used an old-school pen-and-paper method, laying out song choices and structuring a show that balanced massive hits (*“Breaking the Law,” “Painkiller”*) with deeper cuts like *“Desert Plains”* and *“Blood Red Skies”* ([scotfagerland.com][3]).

Despite the challenges of age and health, Halford’s voice remained a formidable force, delivering powerhouse performances night after night ([scotfagerland.com][3]).

### 📚 Beyond the Shows: A Legacy Immortalized

The tour coincided with the release of *50 Heavy Metal Years of Music*, a mammoth 42‑disc box set featuring the band’s full catalog and rare live material ([loudersound.com][4]). Additionally, a deluxe coffee-table book—available in multiple formats, including a charity edition for the Glenn Tipton Parkinson’s Foundation—documented Priest’s visual and sonic impact over five decades ([bravewords.com][5]).

### 🔚 The Power of Perseverance

The 2022 tour was a powerful testament to what makes Judas Priest enduring icons: the unity of their core members, their commitment to fans, and their refusal to let adversity define them. Tipton’s occasional stage returns, Halford’s unwavering support, and the meticulous crafting of each show combined to deliver not just a concert, but an experience.

 

As Halford aptly put it: *“Defending the heavy metal faith for fifty years… The Priest is back.”* ([loudwire.com][6], [loudersound.com][7])

### 🎤 Final Thoughts

The *50 Heavy Metal Years* tour was a celebration, a reunion, and a declaration. It reminded fans old and new that Judas Priest’s fire still burns bright—and no challenge, not even Parkinson’s, can extinguish the spirit of metal.

In an industry that thrives on reinvention, Priest found their strength in memory, loyalty, and authenticity. And with Tipton and Halford standing together once more, they showed us all just what legends look like.

Want a timeline of Pest’s setlists or more stories of Tipton’s triumphs? I’ve got you covered!