Tim 'Ripper' Owens

Born Timothy Owens in 1968 in Akron, Ohio. This young Ohio salesman and tribute band frontman made headlines in 1996 when from a fan he became the frontman for legendary British metal act Judas Priest, filling the shoes of no other than Rob Halford and by so doing ispiring the movie Rock Star[?] (later to be discredited by the band). Owens quickly proved to be a vocalist of great class, possessing a range equal to that of legendary "Metal God" Halford, but has often been criticized for trying to mimic his hero and for having a poor stage presence. Despite numerous roumours that Halford is reuniting with Priest, Owens has so far recorded two studio albums with his childhood heros, as well as two live albums and a 2002 DVD release.