Screw the Ripper critics! I'll go toe-to-toe with them any day. Ripper was the best possible man to step into Rob's shoes. In a way, he brought fresh blood into the band and fit right in. It didn't seem the least bit unnatural to see Ripper on the same stage as the rest of Judas Priest. If Rob had not rejoined I'd still be happy with Judas Priest!

Personally, I think Priest should've brought Ripper with them on the 30th Anniversary tour and let him sing a couple tracks that Priest did with him. After all, Ripper WAS a part of those 30 years that Priest were making music! So, it only seemed fair.

I don't mean to gush over Ripper, or say I prefer him over to Rob. I refuse to pick one over the other. It just really lets me down to see how so many Priest fans -- so-called "Purists" -- want to sweep Ripper Owens under the carpet and treat him like part of an embarrassing chapter in the history of Judas Priest! But he save the band from otherwise certain death, and Priest fans ought to be a little more grateful for that. Besides, if Rob can be friends with Ripper (which he is), why can't the fans accept him?


Max