Les Binks

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Les Binks was a Northern Irish drummer. He was born James Leslie Binks on 8 August 1951 in Portadown and died in London on 15 March 2025 at the age of 73.

He is best known for playing with Judas Priest from 1977 to 1979. Before Priest, he worked with Eric Burdon of The Animals, the funk band War, and Roger Glover on The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast (1974). He also played with the pop band Fancy, which had two U.S. hits in 1974.

With Judas Priest, Binks joined for their world tour in March 1977. He helped develop the band’s fast, double-bass drumming style. He played on the albums Stained Class and Killing Machine (both 1978) and the live album Unleashed in the East (1979). He earned a writing credit for the song Beyond the Realms of Death after helping with a demo.

The single Take On the World (1979) featuring Binks on drums reached the UK Top 40. He left Judas Priest before the North American tour, saying he was treated as a freelance session drummer and wasn’t made an official member.

After Priest, Binks played with Axis Point, Lionheart, and Tytan, and later performed with The Shakers and other projects. He also joined Raw Glory in 2013 and Kindred Spirit, and in 2017 formed Les Binks’ Priesthood to perform Priest songs live.

In 2022, Binks was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Judas Priest, and he performed with the band at the induction ceremony.

Les Binks passed away in London on 15 March 2025, aged 73. His death was confirmed on 14 April 2025.