| Al Atkins | |
| Birth Date: | 1947 10, df=y West Bromwich, West Midlands, England |
| Genre: | Heavy metal, blues rock, hard rock |
| Occupation: | Vocalist |
| Associated Acts: | Judas Priest, Lion, Simon Lees, Holy Rage, Atkins May Project |
| Years Active: | 1964–present |
Alan John Atkins (born 14 October 1947)[1] is an English heavy metal vocalist, best known for being the original lead vocalist and founder of Judas Priest.
Atkins formed what would become Judas Priest in 1969. With a wife and young daughter to support, Atkins was forced to drop out of Judas Priest "to get a 9-to-5 job" in May 1973.[2] Atkins' position as lead vocalist was succeeded by Rob Halford, who has remained the bands singer since. With Atkins out of the group, no founding members of the band remained (original members Brian "Bruno" Stapenhill, and John Partridge had left the band in 1970, and John Perry committed suicide in 1969).
As of 2012, Atkins fronts the band Atkins/May Project, which also features guitarist Paul May.[2] A press release dated 21 May 2011 stated that Atkins would be contributing session vocals for the heavy metal opera project, Lyraka.[3] In 2013, Atkins recorded a solo album of his favorite songs written between his days in Judas Priest and his Holy Rage days.
Lyraka