Judas Priest forged a crucial link between hard rockers like Deep Purple and the rise of heavy metal in the late '70s and '80s. Their dual-guitar assault, fist-pump choruses and hell-bent-for-leather image inspired bands across the spectrum, from thrash to hair metal. Formed in 1970 by guitarist K.K. Downing and bassist Ian Hill, the band jelled in '73 when charismatic, big-lunged singer Rob Halford joined. By '78's Stained Glass, Priest were a worldwide force and '82's pop-thrash masterpiece Screaming for Vengeance had them leading the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement and securing their place in rock history.