Rob Halford of Judas Priest Reveals Marriage to Longtime Partner

In a heartfelt revelation, Rob Halford, the iconic frontman of Judas Priest, shared that he tied the knot with his longtime partner, Thomas, last year. During a recent episode of the Queer the Music podcast, hosted by Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters, Halford opened up about their intimate wedding ceremony.

Details of the Wedding Ceremony

“We got married by the cactus outside on December the something or other, about a year or so ago,” Halford remarked, reminiscing about the special day. He described the ceremony as “simple,” with only a few cherished friends present. “It was obviously me and him and an officiant, who are legalized to marry people. Two of my dearest friends, Jim Silvia, who was Priest’s [tour] manager forever, and his wife. There were just four of us around the pool, around the cactus, the heavy metal cactus. And it was over in an instant. But it was just a beautiful, simple ceremony,” he said.

Significance of Marriage to Halford

Although Halford and Thomas had been together for 30 years, they delayed marriage for a long time, partly due to cultural differences, as Thomas hails from a conservative background in Alabama. “I stopped asking, ‘Let’s get married.’ ‘No, I don’t want to get married.’ ‘Oh, let’s just get married. We’ve been together forever.’ ‘No, I don’t want to get married,'” Halford shared. However, during a casual evening walk, Thomas suggested they should marry. “I went straight home and got on the phone to get a pastor,” Halford recounted.

Halford emphasized the importance of marriage, stating, “Is marriage important? I’ll leave that up to you. You decide whether you think a piece of paper is valuable. In some cases, it is — it’s extremely valuable. But for us to tie the knot, it’s just nice. It seems like you’ve completed something in your relationship, more than anything else. The commitment goes to another level when you get married. It’s a great thing to do. And if it doesn’t work, that’s life. But I think after being together for 35 years, it’s working.”

Advice for a Successful Relationship

When discussing the keys to a thriving relationship, Halford offered a straightforward yet vital piece of advice: “If one of you cooks dinner, the other one should wash the dishes. You don’t cook dinner and wash the dishes. It has to be 50/50,” he advised. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining individuality within a partnership, saying, “The thing about relationships is that even though you love somebody deeply, you’ve still got this independence, haven’t you? You’re still a person, you’re still you, and I think that’s the great joy of a relationship, even if it’s a turbulent one.”

Judas Priest’s Ongoing Journey

Currently, Judas Priest is co-headlining a North American tour with Alice Cooper, which is set to run through late October. The band’s enduring presence in the rock and metal scene continues to inspire fans across generations.

Conclusion

Rob Halford’s candid sharing of his marriage story not only celebrates love and commitment but also highlights the importance of personal growth within relationships. His journey with Thomas exemplifies how love can flourish over decades, culminating in a beautiful, albeit delayed, union.

FAQs

When did Rob Halford get married?

Rob Halford revealed that he married his partner Thomas about a year ago, on a date in December.

What was the nature of Halford’s wedding ceremony?

Halford described the ceremony as simple and intimate, with only a few close friends and an officiant present, taking place by a cactus.

How long have Halford and Thomas been together?

Halford and Thomas have been together for 30 years before deciding to get married.

What advice does Halford give for maintaining a successful relationship?

Halford emphasizes the importance of sharing responsibilities equally, suggesting a 50/50 approach to household tasks like cooking and cleaning.