In this episode, Robert John Hadfield is joined by author Shelle Crow for a deep dive into a vintage issue of Circus Magazine (September 30, 1986) — featuring a fascinating article on Judas Priest during their Turbo era.

Robert and Shelle explore the magazine’s historical context — from the rivalry of David Lee Roth vs. Van Halen, to the rise of Metallica, and the always-relevant presence of Ozzy Osbourne. Together, they revisit Judas Priest’s career arc from British Steel and Screaming for Vengeance to the controversial synth-heavy Turbo, which marked both their last platinum release and a turning point in the band’s legacy.

Highlights include:

📖 Reading and reacting to the Circus Magazine Judas Priest feature
🎤 Rob Halford’s motorcycle stage antics & origins of the “Judas Priest” name
⚡ How MTV shaped Priest’s success with Turbo Lover
🚨 Concert chaos in the 1980s, from riots to tragic incidents
🏛 The infamous PMRC “Filthy 15” list and heavy metal scapegoating
🎶 Why Judas Priest turned down Top Gun’s soundtrack (and regretted it later)
🤘 Reflections on Priest’s longevity, influence, and fan culture

It’s both a nostalgic trip and a cultural time capsule, showing how 80s metal evolved — and how magazines like Circus kept fans connected in the pre-internet era.

⏱ Time Stamps
00:00 – Intro & Shelle Crow joins the show
00:34 – Why flip-throughs & old articles matter
01:00 – Circus Magazine (Sept 30, 1986) overview
03:00 – Van Halen vs. David Lee Roth rivalry on the cover
04:38 – Judas Priest in the Turbo era
05:22 – The rise from British Steel to Screaming for Vengeance
07:00 – Concert memories: Defenders of the Faith tour
07:23 – Rob Halford’s motorcycle stage entrance
08:16 – Origins of the name “Judas Priest”
09:12 – Why Turbo was controversial (digital synths & 80s influence)
10:46 – MTV and the power of music videos in the 80s
12:00 – Priest vs. younger rising bands like Metallica & Mötley Crüe
13:41 – How Rob Halford & Ian Hill viewed longevity in 1986
15:13 – Concert violence & tragic incidents in the 80s
16:30 – The Seattle stabbing & unfair blame on heavy metal
17:45 – PMRC, Tipper Gore & the “Filthy 15” list (Eat Me Alive)
19:30 – Dance remix of Turbo Lover & the 12-inch single trend
22:15 – Priest’s democratic band dynamic vs. ego-driven bands
24:50 – Priest as veterans influencing the next generation of metal
26:55 – Concert chaos, riots, and security issues in the 80s
31:00 – Why fans and critics misunderstood Turbo
34:30 – Judas Priest and the Top Gun soundtrack opportunity they missed
43:53 – Priest as “defenders of the metal faith”
47:22 – Wrapping up the article & reflections on Priest’s legacy
48:44 – Final thoughts & call for fan memories