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Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford is celebrating 40 years of sobriety and opened up about his journey in a video message to fans.
In the clip posted to Instagram, 74-year-old singer stated (as transcribed by Blabbermouth):
“Today I stand here with deep gratitude and thankfulness as I celebrate 40 years of sobriety.
Four decades ago, I made a decision to change the entire course of my life, stepping out of darkness into the light, toward the future I couldn’t see. As I’ve said before, it wasn’t easy, and still isn’t.
Recovery asks for complete honesty, humility and a willingness to grow one day at a time. With the love and support from my higher power, my family, friends and fans helping me guiding the way, I kept moving forward.
Over these years, I’ve learned that sobriety isn’t just about staying clean, it’s the presence of clarity, purpose and connectivity — a gift of showing up for my life each day for the people I love.
I’m grateful for the person I became and every challenge I’ve faced that made me stronger.
To those of you who may be considering that first step on to the journey with me, I hope that my own journey proves that recovery is possible. Hope is real, and each day at a time is a chance to begin again. I love you.”
Halford has previously discussed his sobriety over the years, describing himself as a “recovering alcoholic and drug addict.” Since entering rehab in 1986, the Metal God has stayed clean, though he’s said that it remains a daily exercise of willpower and restraint. Most recently, Halford opened up about the topic to ex-Megadeth bassist David Ellefson during a Q&A at last November’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Scottsdale, Arizona, as reported by Blabbermouth.
When asked by Ellefson if there was “a particular moment, a moment of clarity” that changed him, Rob replied: “Yes. It’s difficult to express that moment, but when you’ve had your stomach pumped, because you were so sick of feeling sick and everything around you was so black and dark that you just wanted to leave all of that, that was part of the first major mental crisis that I went through. And then shortly afterwards, after punching the wall for the umpteenth time… I would need my walls fixed, ’cause I was a puncher. After so many drinks, I’d become angry at myself and start punching walls.”
Halford continued: “Anybody in recovery will tell you that there’s a point where they’re just sick and tired of feeling sick and tired anymore, and then you make a change. And you think it’s gonna be easy from that point on. No. Every day — for me every day, when a beer commercial comes on, or a hard liquor commercial comes on, I’m [feeling an emotional effect]. It’s amazing. It never, ever leaves you. That’s why it’s called an addiction. I’m an addict. I’m a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. So it never, ever leaves your body. The strength and power that you pull on from your higher power, from the tools that you have from staying clean and sober is a reference right now. It’s always ticking in the back of your mind. So, I’m just so happy and grateful that I’m at this place and living in the moment.”
Rob also recounts his journey to sobriety in his 2020 autobiography, Confess. You can see his Instagram message to fans below.
English (US) · 