JUDAS PRIEST RELEASES 'THE BEST OF JUDAS PRIEST' WITH NEW STUDIO ALBUM FORTHCOMING ... RICHIE FAULKNER AND ELEGANT WEAPONS RELEASE SOPHMORE STUDIO ALBUM 'EVOLUTION' EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

 

JUDAS PRIEST RELEASES 

'THE BEST OF 

JUDAS PRIEST'

 WITH NEW STUDIO ALBUM FORTHCOMING WHILE PREPARING FOR  SUMMER EUROPEAN 

'FAITHKEEPERS' TOUR'

RICHIE FAULKNER AND ELEGANT WEAPONS RELEASE SOPHMORE STUDIO ALBUM 'EVOLUTION' 

EXCLUSIVE ZOOM INTERVIEW

WITH JUDAS PRIEST/ELEGANT WEAPONS GUITARIST

RICHIE FAULKNER

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

 W/RAY SHASHO

Richie Faulkner is an acclaimed English guitarist best known as a co-lead guitarist for the legendary heavy metal band Judas Priest. He joined the band in 2011 to replace founding member K.K. Downing. He is credited with injecting fresh energy into the band, helping revitalize their career and sound for subsequent studio albums like Redeemer of Souls, Firepower, and Invincible Shield. Faulkner is highly recognized for his blistering solos, tasteful phrasing, and use of Gibson Flying V guitars.

Judas Priest announced a major career-spanning collection titled "The Best of Judas Priest",  released on June 19, 2026. The collection traces the evolution of the band and features 16 quintessential heavy metal tracks.

The band has also confirmed a return to the studio for new music and is gearing up for their summer European "Faithkeepers" tour. The tour starts: July 25, 2026, in Monchengladbach, Germany and Ends: September 21, 2026, in London, UK.  Judas Priest is also set to record a New Studio Album sometime In 2026.

Also, Ritchie Faulkner’s Elegant Weapons return with their sophomore studio album, Evolution.

This quartet of lifelong musicians — guitarist Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest), vocalist Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, MSG), bassist Dave Rimmer (Uriah Heep), and drummer Christopher Williams (Accept) — have rallied around a collective vision. Together they’ve forged a signature style built on unforgettable riffing, surgically precise solos, bold grooves, and skyscraping hooks.

PURCHASE

'THE BEST OF 

JUDAS PRIEST '

The Best of Judas Priest is a career spanning collection celebrating one of the most influential and enduring bands in heavy metal. Judas Priest have defined and redefined the sound and imagery of heavy metal for more than five decades. With over 50 million albums sold worldwide and more than 2.5 billion streams across their catalogue, their impact on music and culture remains unmatched. This special collection of 16 songs brings together some of the band’s globally revered recordings, including ‘Breaking The Law,’ ‘You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,’ ‘Electric Eye,’ ‘Turbo Lover’ and ‘Painkiller.’ Together, these tracks represent key moments from across their catalog and trace the evolution of a band that helped shape the genre itself. The Best Of Judas Priest serves as both an accessible entry point for new listeners and a definitive collection for longtime fans looking to revisit the song that cemented the band’s legacy.

AVAIALBLE AT ALL MAJOR PLATFORMS

PURCHASE

THE NEW ALBUM

BY

ELEGANT WEAPONS

ENTITLED

‘EVOLUTION’

Elegant Weapons, the heavy metal supergroup founded by Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner, released their sophomore studio album, Evolution, on April 24, 2026.Released via Exciter Records, the album features 11 dynamic tracks ranging from hard-hitting riffs to classic power ballads.

You can stream or purchase the album across all major platforms using the Exciter Records Evolution Stream link. You can also pick up physical media like the CD directly via Darkside Records or Rough Trade.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

JUDAS PRIEST

VISIT

https://judaspriest.com/

OFFICIAL Website

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialJudasPriest/

Facebook

https://www.instagram.com/judaspriest/?hl=en

Judas Priest Instagram

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

ELEGANT WEAPONS

VISIT

https://elegantweapons.exciterrecords.com/

Elegant Weapons Official website

https://www.richiefaulkner.com/

Richie Faulkner oFFicial website

https://www.instagram.com/falconfaulkner/

Richie Faulkner Instagram

https://open.spotify.com/artist/68LxTdkzuDW3cnp83NKfpQ?nd=1

SPOTIFY

youtube.com/channel/UCqdC4CpGCouDxCCQ83qwB1g?sub_confirmation=1

YOUTUBE

https://www.facebook.com/elegantweaponsband

FACEBOOK

JUDAS PRIEST

Discography

Studio albums

Rocka Rolla (1974)

Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)

Sin After Sin (1977)

Stained Class (1978)

Killing Machine (1978)

British Steel (1980)

Point of Entry (1981)

Screaming for Vengeance (1982)

Defenders of the Faith (1984)

Turbo (1986)

Ram It Down (1988)

Painkiller (1990)

Jugulator (1997)

Demolition (2001)

Angel of Retribution (2005)

Nostradamus (2008)

Redeemer of Souls (2014)

Firepower (2018)

Invincible Shield (2024)

 

ELEGANT WEAPONS

Discography

Studio Albums

• Horns for a Halo (2023)
• Evolution (2026)

 

 

 Judas Priest

On Tour

Jul 25 Sat

Bobfest 2026 @ 12:00 PM

Mönchengladbach, Germany

Jul 26 Sun

MESSEHALLE @ 8:00 PM

Halle, Germany

Jul 28 Tue

TORWAR I Hala Widowiskowa @ 8:00 PM

Warszawa, Poland

Jul 31 Fri

Wacken Open Air 2026 @ 12:00 PM

Wacken, Germany

Aug 2 Sun

OSTRAVAR ARENA @ 8:00 PM

Ostrava, Czechia

Aug 4 Tue

Tipos Arena @ 8:00 PM

Bratislava, Slovakia

Aug 6 Thu

WILEYSPORTPARK @ 8:00 PM

Neu-ulm, Germany

Aug 9 Sun

Bloodstock Open Air 2026 @ 12:00 PM

Burton Upon Trent, United Kingdom

Aug 12 Wed

O13 @ 8:00 PM

Tilburg, Netherlands

Aug 14 Fri

RE-LOAD FESTIVAL @ 8:00 PM

Bremen, Germany

Aug 16 Sun

MOTOCULTUR FESTIVAL @ 8:00 PM

Carhaix-plouguer, France

Aug 18 Tue

NAVARRA ARENA @ 8:00 PM

Salinas De Pamplona, Spain

Aug 20 Thu

Roig Arena @ 8:00 PM

València, Spain

Aug 23 Sun

LORELEY AMPHITEATRE @ 8:00 PM

Sankt Goarshausen, Germany

Aug 25 Tue

Pula Arena @ 8:00 PM

Pula, Croatia

Aug 28 Fri

Park Ušće @ 8:00 PM

Belgrade, Serbia

Aug 29 Sat

VIDAS ART ARENA @ 8:00 PM

Sofia, Bulgaria

Sep 1 Tue

BUDAPEST ARENA @ 8:00 PM

Budapest, Hungary

Sep 3 Thu

PARCO S. VALENTINO @ 8:00 PM

Pordenone, Italy

Sep 5 Sat

TEATRO CLERICI @ 8:00 PM

Brescia, Italy

Sep 7 Mon

Fiera del Levante @ 8:00 PM

Bari, Italy

Sep 9 Wed

CAVEA AUDITORIUM PARCO DELLA MUSICA @ 8:00 PM

Rome, Italy

Sep 11 Fri

Festhalle Bern @ 8:00 PM

Bern, Switzerland

Sep 12 Sat

Zenith @ 8:00 PM

Strasbourg, France

Sep 14 Mon

DECINES-CHARPIEU, LDLC ARENA @ 8:00 PM

Lyon, France

Sep 15 Tue

FLOIRAC, ARKEA @ 8:00 PM

Bordeaux, France

Sep 17 Thu

ARENA ZENITH @ 8:00 PM

Paris, France

Sep 18 Fri

Forest National @ 8:00 PM

Bruxelles, Belgium

Sep 21 Mon

Eventim Apollo @ 8:00 PM

London, United Kingdom

RICHIE FAULKNER

APPEARS 

JUNE 16TH 2026

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH

RAY SHASHO

RAY'S NEW NOVEL

'THE LIBERTY CODE'

The Liberty Code is a thrilling blend of science

 fiction, political intrigue, and military strategy.

 With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and

 timely themes, this novel offers a captivating

 journey through a world where the line between

 fiction and reality blurs. It's a must-read for fans of

 dystopian futures, extraterrestrial encounters, and

 high-stakes political drama.

Are you ready to decode the secrets of The Liberty

 Code and join the fight for Earth's future?

AVAILABLE 

NOW!

RAY'S INCREDIBLE NEW 

POLITICAL THRILLER

SCI-FI BOOK!

THE

 LIBERTY

 CODE

In a near-future America, where democracy has collapsed under the iron grip of the Commonwealth Party, redemption lies in the unlikeliest of places—a novel. The Liberty Code, penned by decorated Marine veteran and journalist Sam Edwards, uncovers the hidden truths of a dystopian world teetering on the edge of annihilation.

Guided by telepathic messages from two Centauri extraterrestrial ambassadors, J-Rod and Naxia, who secretly collaborate with the U.S. Air Force, Edwards reveals a master plan to save Earth. This gripping tale begins as fiction but evolves into a stark reality, reflecting real-world geopolitical conflicts and revolutionary military operations.

OFFICIAL TRAILER

AVAILABLE AT

 bookbaby.com

amazon.com

and on audiobook 

at barnesandnoble.com

SPOTIFY.COM

NEW RELEASE

 BY THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED

 NEW ARTIST KYLIE WILLOW

AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR 

STREAMING SITES

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

RAY SHASHO'S NEW PRODUCTION COMPANY

ROCK RAYMOND PRODUCTIONS

LEGENDARY GUITARIST STEVE CROPPER ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM ‘FRIENDLYTOWN’ FEATURING BILLY F GIBBONS … BRIAN MAY … TIM MONTANA ...EXCLUSIVE ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS!

 

LEGENDARY GUITARIST

STEVE CROPPER

ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM

‘FRIENDLYTOWN’

OFFICIALLY RELEASED

AUGUST 23^RD ON MASCOT LABEL GROUP

FEATURING

BILLY F GIBBONS

BRIAN MAY

 TIM MONTANA

FIRST SINGLE

“TOO MUCH STRESS”

featuring BRIAN MAY

EXCLUSIVE 

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS 

Not many people start new bands in their 80s, but legendary guitarist, producer, and songwriter Steve Cropper isn’t slowing down any time soon. The triple-threat musician, recently nominated for his first solo GRAMMY for the debut album from his tight and tuneful rock n’ soul quintet, Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour, has announced details of his highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘Friendlytown,’ due out August 23^rd on the  Mascot Label Group.

Always pushing ahead and never repeating himself, Cropper has brought in the talents of Billy F Gibbons from ZZ Top to play on the record. The album also features guest appearances from Queen guitarist extraordinaire Brian May and country-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist Tim Montana, who has balanced a successful solo career with high-profile collaborations with Gibbons and Kid Rock.

In conjunction with the album announcement, Cropper has released the album's first single, “Too Much Stress feat. Brian May,” giving fans a tantalizing taste of the new music. This groovy mid-tempo number features gospel-style backing vocals and a trifecta of the baddest rock guitar players. Brian May sings the duet vocal together with Roger C. Reale and the backing vocals while May and Gibbons trade back-to-back solos. The Queen’s axeman’s trademark snarling tone and lyrical licks perfectly complement Gibbons’ searing blues-based style, with Cropper holding it all down with some signature slinky rhythm guitar work.

PREORDER

THE NEW ALBUM

BY

STEVE CROPPER

and

 The Midnight Hour

entitled

FRIENDLYTOWN

Available August 23rd Via Mascot Label Group

Featuring

Billy F Gibbons, Brian May and Tim Montana

First Single 

“Too Much Stress feat. Brian May” Available Now

Pre-order Friendlytown at

https://lnk.to/stevecropper

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

STEVE CROPPER

VISIT

https://playitsteve.com/

Official website

https://www.facebook.com/stevecropper

Facebook

https://x.com/OfficialCropper?mx=2

Twitter

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Steve+Cropper

YouTube

https://www.instagram.com/thestevecropper/

Instagram

 

DISCOGRAPHY

    1969: With a Little Help from My Friends

    1969: Jammed Together (with Albert King and Pops Staples)

    1971: This Is ... Steve Cropper & His Friends (compilation of With a Little Help from My Friends and Jammed Together, released in France only)

    1981: Playin' My Thang

    1982: Night After Night

    1998: The Interview — Play It, Steve!

    2008: Nudge It Up A Notch (with Felix Cavaliere)

    2010: Midnight Flyer (with Felix Cavaliere)

    2011: Dedicated — A Salute to the 5 Royales

    2017: Steve Cropper, Lou Marini and the Original Blues Brothers Band — The Last Shade of Blue Before Black

    2018: Telemasters (with Arlen Roth)

    2021: Fire It Up 

Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour

2024: Friendlytown

 

Collaborations

With Alabama

• Southern Star (RCA Records, 1989)

With Jimmy Barnes

• Soul Searchin' (Liberation Music, 2016)

With William Bell

• The Soul of a Bell (Stax Records, 1967)
• Bound to Happen (Stax Records, 1969)

With Barbi Benton

• Something New (Polydor Records, 1976)

With Stephen Bishop

• Bish (ABC Records, 1978)

With Frank Black

• Honeycomb (Cooking Vinyl, 2005)
• Fast Man Raider Man (Cooking Vinyl, 2006)

With Bobby and the Midnites

• Where the Beat Meets the Street (Columbia Records, 1984)

With Booker T. & the M.G.'s

• Green Onions (Stax Records, 1962)
• Soul Dressing (Stax Records, 1965)
• And Now! (Stax Records, 1966)
• In the Christmas Spirit (Stax Records, 1966)
• Hip Hug-Her (Stax Records, 1967)
• Doin' Our Thing (Stax Records, 1968)
• Soul Limbo (Stax Records, 1968)
• UpTight (Stax Records, 1969)
• The Booker T. Set (Stax Records, 1969)
• McLemore Avenue (Stax Records, 1970)
• Melting Pot (Stax Records, 1971)
• Universal Language (Asylum Records, 1977)
• That's the Way It Should Be (Columbia Records, 1994)

With Ronnie Baker Brooks

• Times Have Changed (Provogue Records, 2017)

With Billy Burnette

• Try Me (Curb, 1985)

With Jimmy Buffett

• Hot Water (MCA Records, 1988)

With Brian Cadd

• White On White (Capitol Records, 1976)

With Cate Brothers

• Cate Bros. (Asylum Records, 1975)
• In One Eye and Out the Order (Asylum Records, 1976)

With Chicago

• Chicago XXXIII: O Christmas Three (Chicago Records, 2011)

With David Clayton-Thomas

• David Clayton-Thomas (Columbia Records, 1972)

With A. J. Croce

• Just Like Medicine (Compass Records, 2017)

With Patti Dahlstrom

• Your Place or Mine (20th Century Records, 1975)

With Delaney & Bonnie

• Home (Stax Records, 1969)
• D&B Together (Columbia Records, 1972)

With Ned Doheny

• Hard Candy (Columbia Records, 1976)
• Prone (CBS Records, 1979)

With Yvonne Elliman

• Rising Sun (RSO Records, 1975)
• Night Flight (RSO Records, 1978)
• Yvonne (RSO Records, 1979)

With José Feliciano

• Compartments (RCA Victor, 1973)
• For My Love... Mother Music (RCA Victor, 1974)

With Eddie Floyd

• Knock on Wood (Stax Records, 1967)
• Down to Earth (Stax Records, 1971)

With Peter Frampton

• Where I Should Be (A&M Records, 1979)

With Richie Furay

• I've Got a Reason (Asylum Records, 1976)

With Art Garfunkel

• Breakaway (Columbia Records, 1975)

With Cyndi Grecco

• Making Our Dreams Come True (Private Stock Records, 1976)

With Richie Havens

• The End of the Beginning (A&M Records, 1976)

With Levon Helm

• Levon Helm & the RCO All-Stars (ABC Records, 1977)
• Levon Helm (ABC Records, 1978)

With Chris Hillman

• Slippin' Away (Asylum Records, 1976)

With Rebecca Lynn Howard

• Rebecca Lynn Howard (Universal Music, 2000)

With Etta James

• Seven Year Itch (Island Records, 1988)
• The Right Time (Elektra Records, 1992)

With Wynonna Judd

• Tell Me Why (Curb Records, 1993)

With Albert King

• Born Under a Bad Sign (Stax Records, 1967)
• Years Gone By (Stax Records, 1969)

With B.B. King

• King of the Blues: 1989 (MCA Records, 1988)

With Al Kooper

• White Chocolate (Sony Records, 2008)

With John Lennon

• Rock 'n' Roll (Apple Records, 1975)

With Ann-Margret

• Born to Be Wild (Cleopatra Records, 2023)

With Craig Morgan

• Craig Morgan (Atlantic Records, 2000)

With Aaron Neville

• The Tattoeed Heart (A&M Records, 1995)

With Wayne Newton

• Tomorrow (Chelsea Records, 1976)

With Harry Nilsson

• Flash Harry (Mercury Records, 1980)

With John Oates

• 1000 Miles of Life (Phunk Shui Records, 2008)

With Nigel Olsson

• Nigel Olsson (The Rocket Record Company, 1975)

With Roy Orbison

• Mystery Girl (Virgin Records, 1989)

With Dolly Parton

• Heartbreak Express (RCA Records, 1982)

With Wilson Pickett

• In the Midnight Hour (Atlantic Records, 1965)
• The Exciting Wilson Pickett (Atlantic Records, 1966)

With Michel Polnareff

• Michel Polnareff (Atlantic Records, 1975)

With John Prine

• Common Sense (Atlantic Records, 1975)

With Otis Redding

• Pain in My Heart (Atco Records, 1964)
• The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads (Atco Records, 1965)
• Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (Stax Records, 1965)
• The Soul Album (Stax Records, 1966)
• Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul (Stax Records, 1966)
• King & Queen (Stax Records, 1967)
• The Dock of the Bay (Stax Records, 1968)

With Bruce Roberts

• Bruce Roberts (Elektra Records, 1977)

With Leon Russell

• Will O' the Wisp (Shelter Records, 1975)

With Sanford & Townsend

• Duo-Glide (Warner Bros. Records, 1977)

With Leo Sayer

• Here (Chrysalis Records, 1979)

With Guy Sebastian

• The Memphis Album (Sony BMG, 2007)

With Neil Sedaka

• The Hungry Years (The Rocket Record Company, 1975)
• Steppin' Out (Polydor Records, 1976)

With Paul Shaffer

• Coast to Coast (Capitol Records, 1989)

With Paul Simon

• Songs from The Capeman (Warner Bros. Records, 1997)

With Broderick Smith

• Suitcase (Mushroom Records, 1992)

With The Soul Children

• Soul Children (Stax Records, 1968)

With Mavis Staples

• Mavis Staples (Volt Records, 1969)
• Only for the Lonely (Volt Records, 1970)

With Ringo Starr

• Ringo (Apple Records, 1973)
• Goodnight Vienna (Apple Records, 1974)
• Vertical Man (Mercury Records, 1998)

With Rod Stewart

• Atlantic Crossing (Warner Bros. Records, 1975)
• A Night on the Town (Warner Bros. Records, 1976)
• Foot Loose & Fancy Free (Warner Bros. Records, 1977)
• Every Beat of My Heart (Warner Bros. Records, 1986)

With Livingston Taylor

• Man's Best Friend (Epic Records, 1980)

With Carla Thomas

• Memphis Queen (Stax Records, 1969)

With Mickey Thomas

• As Long as You Love Me (MCA Records, 1977)

With The Manhattan Transfer

• Pastiche (Atlantic Records, 1978)

With Wendy Waldman

• The Main Refrain (Warner Bros. Records, 1976)

With Dale Watson

• Jukebox Fury (Cleopatra Records, 2022)

With Jerry Lynn Williams

• Gone (Warner Bros. Records, 1979)

 

 

STEVE CROPPER

APPEARS

JULY 27TH 2024

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH RAY SHASHO

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER

 

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   

Gold Award Winner

MORE BOOKS BY RAY SHASHO

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY

 

TO BE PART OF MUSIC HISTORY!

CALL 941-567-6193

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???