JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford will release his autobiography, "Confess", on September 29 via Hachette Books. Pre-orders are now available at Amazon.
In a new interview with Robert Cavuoto of Sonic Perspectives, Halford stated about the book's title: "I would like to feel there are parts of this book which are relatable to others. Everybody is the same, as we all share similar life experiences. There are so many things that happen to us; we are almost identical no matter where we are from. I've traveled the world and seen how our music can touch people from all walks of life and professions. Confessing these stories or episodes is important, and it gives the reader a look-see into this guy that you only see from one point of view."
Asked if he has any regrets about sharing some of his stories with the world, his friends, his family and bandmates, Halford said: "That's a really great question. When I was sitting with [co-writer] Ian [Gittins, who also co-wrote The New York Times bestseller 'The Heroin Diaries' by Nikki Sixx], I was very open and honest. It just flows out of me. Being clean and sober for 30 years, I don't lie anymore, nor do I hold anything back. I like people to be the same towards me.
"I don't doubt for one minute that some people will be shocked by what's in 'Confess'. This is my life, and me telling you all the important parts of it. It's up to you to decide how to interrupt and utilize it.
"Going one step further, when I was having these long sessions with Ian, I would stop and go, 'Why did I say that?' particularly with some of the family incidents. I really had to let that go.
"The book isn't even out yet, and I think about it nearly every day," he continued. "I have to find a commonplace, because I am exposing parts of my life, which some people will be quite shocked. That's not my intent.
"When you are confessing, it's exactly what you are doing. To protect certain individuals, we just changed their names out of respect.
"It's crazy â some days I feel great that it's all out there. Some days I would like to rewrite a paragraph or part all over.
"I'm sure I'm not the first person who has made this kind of book.
"Quite frankly, if I weren't feeling that way, I would think there is something wrong with me.
"I'm a very emotional person. I'm still trying to find a settled place. That is why these interviews are good for me, as I can talk things out. Talking and communication are so vital to us in life, especially when we are trying to figure things out."
Halford is not the first member of PRIEST's classic lineup to release a book. Former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing released his autobiography, "Heavy Duty: Days And Nights In Judas Priest", in September 2018 via Da Capo Press.
In 2009, original JUDAS PRIEST singer Al Atkins released his autobiography, titled "Dawn Of The Metal Gods: My Life In Judas Priest And Heavy Metal". JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill penned the foreword to the book, which was written with Neil Daniels â a freelance rock writer and heavy metal fan who befriended Atkins during the writing of Neil's book "The Story Of Judas Priest: Defenders Of The Faith" (Omnibus Press).
