The drum kit of the late Judas Priest drummer, Les Binks, who played on one of the most legendary live albums in heavy metal history, could make £3,000 at auction.
Binks, who joined the band in the 1970s, played on the band’s famous Unleashed in the Eastalbum, recorded in Japan in 1979. He died in March, aged 73.
Now his concert-used Tama Artstar drum kit, including eight cymbals and two pairs of drumsticks, has an estimate of £2,000-£3,000 at Hansons Auctioneers’ music sale at its Etwall saleroom on December 10.
As well as Unleashed in the East, Binks also played on Judas Priest’s landmark albums, Stained Class and Killing Machine, establishing a reputation as one of the most influential heavy metal drummers of the late ‘70s.
Binks’ leather jacket and a Les Binks Priesthood t-shirt has an estimate of £80-£120 at the same sale.
With his pummelling 190 beats per minute, Binks was a pioneer of later thrash metal and punk.
Hansons Auctioneers’ music specialist, Claire Howell, said: “Les is widely regarded as influencing the development of speed and thrash metal drumming. Before bands like Slayer or Metallica, he was doing clean, rapid double-bass patterns that pushed tempo boundaries. It is an honour to be offering this icon’s drumkit for sale.”
Born in Portadown, County Armagh in 1951, self-taught Binks was given his first drum kit by his parents aged five.
After playing in various bands as a teen, he moved to London in 1972 soon establishing himself as a successful session musician.
He drummed for Eric Burdon of the Animals later achieving minor fame with the band Fancy before playing on a concept album produced by Deep Purple’s Roger Glover.
In 1977 at Glover’s suggestion, he joined Judas Priest, the band named after the Bob Dylan song The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest.
Claire Howell continued: “While Les only played with them for two years he helped form the band’s legendary sound.
“He left the band after falling out with management in 1979 but stayed on good terms with band members.”
When Judas Priest was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Binks was on hand to accept the prize and perform with the band.
After leaving Judas Priest he continued to work as a session musician before launching his own project, Les Binks Priesthood, to perform classic Judas Priest material.
The drum kit going under the hammer dates from the ‘80s.
Binks said: “In the mid-eighties, I started using Tama drums. Great build quality and they seemed to be the most innovative drum company, inventing Octobans and the gong drum. I first heard those on Billy Cobham’s Magic album (1977) and decided to get some. I bought the Tama Artstar II maple drums with the quirky 11in tom (cylindrical drum) which they also introduced. They are easy to tune and record great.”
Auction Details
Auction: Derby December Music, Vinyl & Film Memorabilia Auction
Auction date: 10th December 2025 | 10am
Location: Hansons’ Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
