JUDAS PRIEST Guitarist Says 'Heavy Metal Parking Lot' Documentary Is 'Definitely A Treasure'

May 23, 2008

Greg Prato recently spoke to JUDAS PRIEST members Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing about the classic 1986 cult documentary "Heavy Metal Parking Lot". The 16-minute movie was filmed in the Capital Centre parking lot in Landover, Maryland, before a JUDAS PRIEST show and depicts interviews with fans about what it means to be metal. Capturing a slice in time, the movie depicts an abundance of mullets, leather, denim, spandex, perms, '70s Camaros and metal 'tude in spades. In addition to the original short film, the DVD version features two hours of exclusive content, including commentary by directors Jeff Krulik and John Heyn, video sequels from the 2004 Trio TV series "Parking Lot", various outtakes and new interviews with rockers featured in the film.

Q: Have you ever seen "Heavy Metal Parking Lot" and if so, what did you think of it?

Rob Halford: Yes, I have seen it. It's just a little microcosm of what happens at a metal event even though it's over 20 years old, it still happens today. You can still go to a metal event and everybody's doing what they do in the parking lot in 2008. Simply amazing.

Glenn Tipton: I think it's great yes, I have seen it. It's classic footage. I don't think it's totally representative of our fans, I have to say! But at the same time, there are a couple of guys on there that should have made it as comedians. Very funny.

K.K. Downing: I have seen it. I didn't see it for years and years, and I saw it, and I think it's great. It's a treasure, it's definitely a treasure.

Q: Do you have a favorite scene?

Rob Halford: Yeah where this girl says she wants to jump my bones. She had no clue [laughs]!

Glenn Tipton: The one guy that's foaming at the mouth I think he's very funny [laughs]!

K.K. Downing: No, just all of it. All of it epitomizes everything I guess. I can remember on so many occasions we've had to drive through the parking lot to get to the venue right here in Nassau Coliseum [an arena on Long Island, New York]. I can remember driving up there and it was sold out the one night we played there. I'm thinking, "My God all these people, all these cars are here for us...now I'm going to start to shit myself!" It gets pretty scary!

For more information on the "Heavy Metal Parking Lot" movie, visit www.heavymetalparkinglot.com.

"Heavy Metal Parking Lot" clips:

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