Les Binks or James Leslie Binks (8 August 1951 – 15 March 2025) from Northern Ireland, was the drummer for Judas Priest between 1977 to 1979.
James Leslie Binks (8 August 1951 – 15 March 2025) from Northern Ireland. He was the drummer for Judas Priest, where he was a member from 1977 to 1979.
Through his connection to Roger Glover who had just wrapped up production of their album "Sin After Sin", Binks joined the then up-and-coming act Judas Priest in March 1977 for their world tour – their first on American soil. Binks stepped into the role held briefly by noted session drummer Simon Phillips who had performed on "Sin After Sin" but did not wish to continue. Binks remained with Judas Priest for two and a half years, until July 1979, recording the studio albums "Stained Class" and "Killing Machine" (both 1978) and the live album "Unleashed in the East" (1979), all of which featured a faster double bass drumming approach then previously, thus helping to develop and explore new terrain for the band.
Whilst with Judas Priest, he received a writing credit for the song "Beyond the Realms of Death" from the album "Stained Class". Binks made a home demo of the track with friend Steve Mann of the Michael Schenker Group helping on guitar, and at a band rehearsal he picked up a guitar to show them the song. The band loved the song and vocalist Rob Halford then crafted the song's lyrics and title.
Binks left the band just before the start of the North American leg of the "Killing Machine" ("Hell Bent for Leather") tour. Binks said in 2017 that he left because he felt he was essentially hired as a "freelance session drummer" by the band and was never made an official member. He felt insulted when the band's then-manager Mike Dolan who suggested that he "waive his fees" (i.e. not get paid for his performance) on the live album "Unleashed in the East", a RIAA-certified platinum seller.
Les Binks playing a drum solo in Armagh city centre (Northern Ireland), August 1994.