<P> An earlier band with a different line - up had been formed in the West Midlands area in 1969 by Al Atkins ( lead vocals ) , Bruno Stapenhill ( bass , born Brian Stapenhill , in 1948 , Stone Cross , W. Bromwich ) , John Partridge ( drums , born c. 1948 , W. Bromwich ) , and John Perry ( guitar ) . Perry was killed in a suicide - related car accident , according to Al Atkins , shortly after the band 's formation and was subsequently replaced by Ernie Chataway . Stapenhill came up with the name Judas Priest from Bob Dylan 's song `` The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest '' and they rehearsed at his house in Stone Cross . The band played their first gig on 25 November 1969 at The George Hotel in Walsall and then toured Scotland in December 1969 and January 1970 . The group disbanded in April 1970 after their last gig on 20 April at The Youth Centre in Cannock . </P>
where did judas priest get their name from
The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest