Tim Owens

Tim 'Ripper' Owens, born as Timothy S. Owens on September 13, 1967 in Akron, Ohio. The young Ohio salesman and tribute band frontman made headlines in 1996 when from a fan he became the frontman for the British metal act

Tim 'Ripper' Owens, born as Timothy S. Owens on September 13, 1967 in Akron, Ohio. The young Ohio salesman and tribute band frontman made headlines in 1996 when from a fan he became the frontman for the British metal act Judas Priest, filling the shoes of Rob Halford (and, by doing so, inspired the movie Rock Star, which was later discredited by the band). Despite numerous rumours that Halford would reunite with Priest, Owens recorded two studio albums with his childhood heroes, as well as two live albums and a 2002 DVD release.

Judas Priest reunited with Rob Halford in 2003. A year earlier the frontman for Iced Earth quit the band and Owens became the new lead singer for them after leaving Judas Priest. Iced Earth's first album with Owens, The Glorious Burden, came out in early 2004.