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{{Short description|1974 studio album by Judas Priest}}
{{For|the music magazine|Rock-A-Rolla}}
{{for|the music magazine|Rock-A-Rolla}}
{{Refimprove|date=June 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{sources|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Infobox album
⚫
| Name = Rocka Rolla
| Type = Studio album
| name = Rocka Rolla
| Artist = [[Judas Priest]]
| type = studio
| Cover = Rocka Rolla (Judas Priest album).jpg
| artist = [[Judas Priest]]
| cover = Rocka Rolla (Judas Priest album).jpg
| Released = 6 September 1974
⚫
| alt =
⚫
| Recorded = June – July 1974 at [[Sarm West Studios|Island]], [[Trident Studios|Trident]] and [[Olympic Studios]]
| released = {{start date|1974|09|06|df=y}}
| Genre =[[Hard rock]], [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]], [[blues rock]]<ref name=MetalRecusants>{{cite web |url=http://metalrecusants.com/2014/09/06/blast-from-the-past-judas-priest-rocka-rolla/|title=Metal Recusants}}</ref>
| recorded = June–July 1974<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Popoff | first1 = Martin | author-link1 = Martin Popoff | title = Decade of Domination | edition = 2nd | publisher = Wymer Publishing | year = 2018 | pages = 30 | isbn = 978-1-912782-63-5}}</ref>
| Length = 38:52
⚫
| studio = [[Island Studios|Island]], [[Trident Studios|Trident]] and [[Basing Street Studios|Olympic]], London
⚫
| Label = [[Gull (record label)|Gull]]
| Producer = [[Rodger Bain]]
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hard rock]]|[[blues rock]]}}
| Last album = –
| length = 38:49
⚫
| label = [[Gull (record label)|Gull]]
| This album = '''''Rocka Rolla'''''<br />(1974)
| producer = [[Rodger Bain]]
⚫
| Next album = ''[[Sad Wings of Destiny]]''<br />(1976)
| Misc =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
{{Extra album cover
⚫
| next_title = [[Sad Wings of Destiny]]
⚫
| Upper caption = Reissue cover
| Type = studio
| next_year = 1976
| Cover = Rockarollareissue.JPG
| misc = {{Extra album cover
⚫
| header = Reissue cover
| type = studio
| cover = Rockarollareissue.JPG
| border =
| alt =
| caption =
}}
}}
{{Singles
{{Singles
| Name = Rocka Rolla
| name = Rocka Rolla
| Type = Studio
| type = studio
| Single 1 = [[Rocka Rolla (song)|Rocka Rolla]]
| single1 = Rocka Rolla
| Single 1 date = August 1974
| single1date = August 1974
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''''Rocka Rolla''''' is the debut studio album by British [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Judas Priest]], released on 6 September 1974 by [[Gull (record label)|Gull Records]]. It was produced by [[Rodger Bain]], who had made a name for himself as the producer of [[Black Sabbath]]'s first three albums. It is the only album to feature drummer [[John Hinch (musician)|John Hinch]].
'''''Rocka Rolla''''' is the debut studio album by English [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Judas Priest]], released on 6 September 1974 by [[Gull (record label)|Gull Records]]. It was produced by [[Rodger Bain]], who had made a name for himself as the producer of [[Black Sabbath]]'s first three albums and [[Budgie (band)|Budgie]]'s first two albums. It is the only album to feature drummer [[John Hinch (musician)|John Hinch]].


==Background==
==Background==
According to the band, the album was entirely played "live", in studio (i.e. all musicians playing simultaneously as in a concert, vs. the more popular method of each musician's parts being recorded separately and then mixing them).<ref>[http://www.facebook.com/OfficialJudasPriest/posts/10150426935093965 Post on the official Judas Priest Facebook page]. 2 December 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.</ref>
According to the band, the entire album was played live in the studio rather than having individual musicians record alone.<ref>[http://www.facebook.com/OfficialJudasPriest/posts/10150426935093965 Post on the official Judas Priest Facebook page]. 2 December 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.</ref>


According to the band there were technical problems in the studio, resulting in poor sound quality and a hiss through the album. Guitarist [[Glenn Tipton]] had just joined when recording of ''Rocka Rolla'' began and did not contribute any songwriting except on the title track. He did come up with the songs "Tyrant", "Epitaph", and "Ripper", but Bain considered them not commercial enough and rejected their inclusion. Bain also rejected the concert staple "Whiskey Woman" which later, with contributions from Tipton, morphed into "Victim of Changes". These songs were eventually all included on their next album ''[[Sad Wings of Destiny]]''. In addition, "Winter", "Deep Freeze" and "Winter Retreat" form a suite, but are listed as separate tracks and divided as such on the CD release.
According to the band there were technical problems in the studio, resulting in poor sound quality and a hiss through the album. Guitarist [[Glenn Tipton]] had just joined when recording of ''Rocka Rolla'' began; his only songwriting contributions accepted by producer [[Rodger Bain]] were on the title track and "Run of the Mill". He did come up with the songs "Tyrant", "Epitaph", and "Ripper", but Bain considered them not commercial enough and rejected them. Bain also rejected the concert staple "Whiskey Woman" which later, with contributions from Tipton, morphed into "Victim of Changes". These songs were eventually all included on their next album, ''[[Sad Wings of Destiny]]''. In addition, "Winter", "Deep Freeze" and "Winter Retreat" form a suite, but are listed as separate tracks and divided as such on some versions of the CD release.


⚫
Several of the songs on the album feature contributions from the band's previous frontman [[Al Atkins]] and had been regular parts of their live performances in [[Manchester]], where the band had achieved a cult following during the previous few years. The track "Caviar and Meths" was originally a 14-minute effort penned by Atkins, Downing, and Hill but due to time constraints, only the intro was recorded for the album. A longer 7-minute version of the song appears on Atkins's 1998 album ''[[Victim of Changes (album)|Victim of Changes]]''. That album also contains covers of "Winter" and "Never Satisfied".
"Dying to Meet You" contains a clear break before an unlisted song (often known as "Hero Hero") begins. It may be possible that the record company insisted on there being ten tracks on the album which led to this decision. Alternatively, this unlisted song may simply be the second half of "Dying to Meet You", as this is how the lyrics were printed on their 1978 ''[[The Best of Judas Priest|Best of...]]'' compilation.


⚫
At this time, the band had not yet developed their signature look of leather and studs. They had appeared on British television show ''[[The Old Grey Whistle Test]]'' in 1975, performing "Rocka Rolla" and "Dreamer Deceiver", and their wardrobe was very "hippified" as journalist [[Malcolm Dome]] put it. This footage was included on the ''[[Electric Eye (video)|Electric Eye]]'' DVD. In addition, the album is more [[blues rock|blues]]/[[hard rock]]-oriented than their later releases,<ref name=MetalRecusants>{{cite web|url=http://metalrecusants.com/2014/09/06/blast-from-the-past-judas-priest-rocka-rolla/|title=Metal Recusants|access-date=4 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502220203/http://metalrecusants.com/2014/09/06/blast-from-the-past-judas-priest-rocka-rolla/|archive-date=2 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and also has some slight [[progressive rock]] influences that would continue through to ''[[Stained Class]]'', but to a lesser extent, and would be abandoned in later releases. This makes the album's style virtually unrecognizable when compared with later Priest albums, although "Rocka Rolla" does feature dual guitars, and "Run of the Mill" is the first song that was explicitly designed for Halford's, rather than Atkins', vocal range.
⚫
The songs on the album were mostly written by previous Judas Priest frontman [[Al Atkins]], Ian Hill, and K.K. Downing, and had been regular parts of their live performances in [[Manchester]], where the band had achieved a cult following during the past few years. The track "Caviar and Meths" was originally a 14-minute epic penned by Atkins but due to time constraints, only the intro is recorded for the album. A longer version of the song appears on Atkins's 1998 album ''[[Victim of Changes (album)|Victim of Changes]]''. Though not the full-length version, it is notably longer at seven minutes. That later album also contains covers of "Winter" and "Never Satisfied".


⚫
Drummer [[John Hinch (musician)|John Hinch]] was dismissed in 1975 before the next record was recorded. Tipton would later refer to him as being "musically inadequate" for the band's future plans.
⚫
At this point of the band's career, they had not yet developed their [[trademark look|signature look]] of leather and studs. They had appeared on a British television programme called ''[[The Old Grey Whistle Test]]'' in 1975, performing "Rocka Rolla" and "Dreamer Deceiver", and their wardrobe was very "hippified" as journalist [[Malcolm Dome]] put it. This footage was included on the [[Electric Eye (video)|Electric Eye]] DVD. In addition, the album is more [[blues rock|blues]]/[[hard rock]] oriented than their later releases,<ref name=MetalRecusants /> and also has some slight [[progressive rock]] influences that would continue through to ''[[Stained Class]]'', but to a lesser extent, and would be abandoned in later releases. This makes the album's style virtually unrecognizable to later Priest albums, although "Rocka Rolla" does feature dual guitars, and "Run of the Mill" is the first song that was explicitly designed for Halford's, rather than Atkins', vocal range.


⚫
[[File:Rob Halford, explication de Never Satisfied, Montréal, 24-11-2011.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Rob Halford made a brief explanation before performing "Never Satisfied" during the Epitaph Tour, as there were "a few blank stares" from the audience while performing the song.<ref>Hartmann, Graham "Gruhamed". [http://loudwire.com/judas-priest-rob-halford-ian-hill-interview-chosen-few-upcoming-album/ ''JUDAS PRIEST'S ROB HALFORD AND IAN HILL TALK 'CHOSEN FEW,' UPCOMING ALBUM + MORE''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224223317/http://loudwire.com/judas-priest-rob-halford-ian-hill-interview-chosen-few-upcoming-album/ |date=24 December 2011}}. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.</ref>]]
⚫
Drummer [[John Hinch (musician)|John Hinch]] would be dismissed in 1975 before the next record was recorded. Tipton would later refer to him as being "musically inadequate" for the band's future plans.


⚫
The album was reissued several times over the years, and in 1984 it was issued with a different sleeve design. The original "bottle cap" album cover art was initially intended by designer [[John Pasche]] for use with an unspecified [[Rolling Stones]] album. The band had filed a lawsuit with the [[Coca-Cola]] company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kkdowning.net/SpecialReports/logohistory.html |title=Judas Priest logo history |publisher=Kkdowning.net |access-date=18 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715211116/http://kkdowning.net/SpecialReports/logohistory.html |archive-date=15 July 2013 }}</ref>{{FV|date=September 2021}} The re-issue cover art (by artist [[Melvyn Grant]], and originally used as the cover for the novel ''[[The Steel Tsar]]'') was also used for the US cover of ''[[Ballistix]]'' for the [[TurboGrafx-16]] and [[Amiga]].
⚫
[[File:Rob Halford, explication de Never Satisfied, Montréal, 24-11-2011.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Rob Halford made a brief explanation before performing "Never Satisfied" during the Epitaph Tour, as there were "a few blank stares" from the audience while performing the song.<ref>Hartmann, Graham "Gruhamed". [http://loudwire.com/judas-priest-rob-halford-ian-hill-interview-chosen-few-upcoming-album/ ''JUDAS PRIEST’S ROB HALFORD AND IAN HILL TALK ‘CHOSEN FEW,’ UPCOMING ALBUM + MORE'']. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.</ref>]]


⚫
Most of the songs from ''Rocka Rolla'' have not been performed by Judas Priest live since the mid-late 1970s, although [[Halford (band)|Halford's solo band]] performed "Never Satisfied" during live shows in 2003, and the same song was part of the setlist of the [[Epitaph World Tour]]. "Rocka Rolla" was performed for the first time since 1976 at [[Bloodstock Open Air]] in 2021.
⚫
The album was reissued in 1987 with a different cover. The original "bottle cap" album cover art was initially intended by designer [[John Pasche]] for use with an unspecified [[Rolling Stones]] album. The band had filed a lawsuit with the [[Coca-Cola]] company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kkdowning.net/SpecialReports/logohistory.html |title=Judas Priest logo history |publisher=Kkdowning.net |date= |accessdate=2014-05-18}}</ref> The re-issue cover art (by artist [[Melvyn Grant]], and originally used as the cover for the novel ''[[The Steel Tsar]]'') was also used for the US cover of ''[[Ballistix]]'' for the [[Turbo Grafx 16]] and [[Commodore Amiga]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}}


⚫
The tour for ''Rocka Rolla'' was Judas Priest's first international tour<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thexquorum.com/mad/BEGINNINGS.html#APRIL%201974 |title=Judas Priest Info Pages - Forging The Metal |publisher=Thexquorum.com |access-date=18 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318025251/http://www.thexquorum.com/mad/BEGINNINGS.html#APRIL%201974 |archive-date=18 March 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> with dates in Germany, Holland, Norway and Denmark including one show at Hotel Klubben<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nordicchoicehotels.no/Quality/Quality-Hotel-Klubben/|title=Hotell Sentralt i Tønsberg - Quality Hotel Klubben|publisher=Nordicchoicehotels.no|access-date=18 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715190855/https://www.nordicchoicehotels.no/quality/quality-hotel-klubben/|archive-date=15 July 2014}}</ref> in [[Tønsberg]], one hour from Oslo, Norway which scored them a somewhat negative review in the local press.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kkdowning.net/pictography/scrapbooks/scrap2/lydsjokk.jpg |title=Newspaper cutting : Lydsjokk pa Klubben |publisher=Kkdowning.net |access-date=19 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112183757/http://www.kkdowning.net/pictography/scrapbooks/scrap2/lydsjokk.jpg |archive-date=12 November 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
⚫
Most of the songs from ''Rocka Rolla'' have not been performed by Judas Priest live since the mid-late 1970s, although [[Halford (band)|Halford's solo band]] performed "Never Satisfied" during live shows in 2003, and the same song is part of the setlist of the [[Epitaph World Tour]].

⚫
The tour for ''Rocka Rolla'' was Judas Priest's first international tour<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thexquorum.com/mad/BEGINNINGS.html#APRIL%201974 |title=Judas Priest Info Pages - Forging The Metal |publisher=Thexquorum.com |date= |accessdate=2014-05-18}}</ref> with dates in Germany, Holland, Norway and Denmark including one show at Hotel Klubben<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.nordicchoicehotels.no/Quality/Quality-Hotel-Klubben/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=places&utm_campaign=qh |title=Hotell Sentralt i Tønsberg - Quality Hotel Klubben |publisher=Nordicchoicehotels.no |date= |accessdate=2014-05-18}}</ref> in [[Tønsberg]], one hour from Oslo, Norway which scored them a somewhat negative review in the local press.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kkdowning.net/pictography/scrapbooks/scrap2/lydsjokk.jpg |title=Newspaper cutting : Lydsjokk pa Klubben |publisher=Kkdowning.net |accessdate=2014-05-19}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
{{album reviews
{{album reviews
|rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r42002|first=Steve|last=Huey|accessdate=1 July 2011}}</ref>
|rev1score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r42002|first=Steve|last=Huey|access-date=1 July 2011}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| rev2score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Larkin |first1=Colin |title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music |date=2011 |publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn=9780857125958 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&q=judas+priest&pg=RA3-PA2005-IA45 |access-date=21 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
}}
}}


The album was released to very little reception selling "only a few thousand copies". Because of the flop of the album, the band found themselves in dire financial straits. In particular, they talked of nights in which they were starving and didn't know when they were going to get their next meal. They tried to enter into an agreement with Gull Records to pay them 50 pounds a week, but Gull, which was also suffering economic woes, refused.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/judas-priest/playlist/1700662/ |title=Judas Priest Behind The Music Remastered: Judas Priest |publisher=MTV |date= |accessdate=2014-05-18}}</ref> In a retrospective review, [[Allmusic]] gave ''Rocka Rolla'' a rating of 2.5 out of five stars, and said that while it was a "sketchy and underfocused debut," the album "definitely hints at Judas Priest's potential and originality."<ref name="allmusic"/>
The album was released to very little reception selling "only a few thousand copies". Because it flopped, the band found themselves in dire financial straits. In particular, they talked of nights in which they were starving and didn't know when they were going to get their next meal. They tried to enter into an agreement with Gull Records to pay them £50 a week, but Gull, which was also suffering economic woes, refused.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/judas-priest/playlist/1700662/ |title=Judas Priest Behind The Music Remastered: Judas Priest |publisher=MTV |access-date=18 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427151822/http://www.mtv.com/artists/judas-priest/playlist/1700662/ |archive-date=27 April 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In a retrospective review, [[AllMusic]] gave ''Rocka Rolla'' a rating of 2.5 out of five stars, and said that while it was a "sketchy and underfocused debut", the album "definitely hints at Judas Priest's potential and originality".<ref name="allmusic"/>


== Track listing ==
== Track listing ==
{{Track listing
{{tracklist
|headline = Side one
| writing_credits = yes
| title1 = One for the Road
| title1 = One for the Road
| writer1 = [[Rob Halford]], [[K.K. Downing]]
| writer1 = [[Rob Halford]], [[K. K. Downing]]
| length1 = 4:34
| length1 = 4:34
| title2 = [[Rocka Rolla (song)|Rocka Rolla]]
| title2 = Rocka Rolla
| writer2 = Halford, Downing, [[Glenn Tipton]]
| writer2 = Halford, Downing, [[Glenn Tipton]]
| length2 = 3:05
| length2 = 3:05
| title3 = Winter
| title3 = Winter
| writer3 = [[Al Atkins]], Downing, [[Ian Hill]]
| writer3 = [[Al Atkins]], Downing, [[Ian Hill]]
| length3 = 1:42
| length3 = 3:02
| title4 = Deep Freeze
| title4 = Deep Freeze
| writer4 = Downing
| writer4 = Downing
| length4 = 1:21
| length4 = 1:58
| title5 = Winter Retreat
| title5 = Winter Retreat
| writer5 = Halford, Downing
| writer5 = Halford, Downing
| length5 = 3:28
| length5 = 1:30
| title6 = Cheater
| title6 = Cheater
| writer6 = Halford, Downing
| writer6 = Halford, Downing
| length6 = 2:59
| length6 = 2:59
}}
{{Track listing
|headline = Side two
| title7 = Never Satisfied
| title7 = Never Satisfied
| writer7 = Atkins, Downing
| writer7 = Atkins, Downing
Line 99: Line 108:


{{tracklist
{{tracklist
| headline = 1987 Remaster bonus track
| headline = 1987 remaster bonus track
⚫
| title11 = [[Diamonds & Rust (song)#Popular covers|Diamonds and Rust]]
| writing_credits = yes
⚫
| title11 = [[Diamonds & Rust (song)|Diamonds & Rust]]
| note11 = [[Joan Baez]] cover, 1975 recording
| note11 = [[Joan Baez]] cover, 1975 recording
| writer11 = Joan Baez
| writer11 = Joan Baez
Line 107: Line 115:
}}
}}


=== Track notes ===
The original UK LP has a longer version of "Rocka Rolla" than the version used for the US LP release, and most CD releases. It has an extra verse and chorus at the beginning of the song.
The original UK LP has a longer version of "Rocka Rolla" than the version used for the US LP release, and most CD releases. It has an extra verse and chorus at the beginning of the song.{{better source|date=May 2024}}


The very rare first printing of the UK LP has the words "''Thanks for the words Al!"'' printed last in the credits in the blue circle on the back cover. This, presumably a reference to original singer [[Al Atkins]], has been removed on other versions of the Gull vinyl.{{better source|date=May 2024}}
⚫
On some versions of the CD release, "Rocka Rolla" is timed at 4:00 and "Winter" at 0:45, becoming a mashup but remaining on separate tracks. Some releases, e.g. ''[[Hero, Hero]]'' also combine "Winter", "Deep Freeze" and "Winter Retreat" into one track. The [[iTunes]] version combines those three plus "Cheater" into one track.


⚫
On some versions of the CD release, "Rocka Rolla" is timed at 4:00 and "Winter" at 0:45, becoming a medley but remaining on separate tracks.{{what|date=May 2024}} Some releases, e.g. ''[[Hero, Hero]]'' also combine "Winter", "Deep Freeze" and "Winter Retreat" into one track. The [[iTunes]] version combines those three plus "Cheater" into one track.
⚫
The version of "Diamonds & Rust" that appears on the re-release is actually from the ''[[Sad Wings of Destiny]]'' sessions and not the version that appears on ''[[Sin After Sin]]''. It was probably included to provide interest in ''Rocka Rolla'', an album that would have been unknown to many of the band's fans due to the band not playing songs from it live after the 1970s.


⚫
The version of "Diamonds & Rust" that appears on the re-release is actually from the ''[[Sad Wings of Destiny]]'' sessions and not the version that appears on ''[[Sin After Sin]]''. It was probably included to provide interest in ''Rocka Rolla'', an album that would have been unknown to many of the band's fans due to the band not playing songs from it live after the 1970s.{{dubious|date=May 2024}}
⚫
''Rocka Rolla'' features Judas Priest's longest track, "Run of the Mill", prior to "Cathedral Spires" from ''[[Jugulator]]'' (1997). It is also the longest track co-written by Halford, Downing and Tipton prior to "Lochness" from ''[[Angel of Retribution]]'' (2005).

⚫
''Rocka Rolla'' features Judas Priest's longest track, "Run of the Mill" (8:34), prior to "Cathedral Spires" (9:17) from ''[[Jugulator]]'' in 1997. It is also the longest track co-written by Halford, Downing and Tipton prior to "Lochness" (13:28) from ''[[Angel of Retribution]]'' in 2005.

''Rocka Rolla'' was covered by Swedish black metal band ''Vondur'' in the EP ''The Galactic Rock n' Roll Empire''{{cn|date=May 2024}}


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
;Judas Priest
;Judas Priest
*[[Rob Halford]] – lead vocals, harmonica
*[[Rob Halford]] – Lead vocals, harmonica
*[[K.K. Downing]] – guitars
*[[Glenn Tipton]] – guitars, backing vocals
*[[Glenn Tipton]] – guitars, synthesizers
*[[K. K. Downing]] – guitars
*[[Ian Hill]] – bass guitar
*[[Ian Hill]] – bass guitar
*[[John Hinch (musician)|John Hinch]] – drums
*[[John Hinch (musician)|John Hinch]] – drums
*[[Alan Moore (drummer)|Alan Moore]] – drums (track 11 only)


;Production
;Production
*Produced by [[Rodger Bain]]
*Produced by [[Rodger Bain]]
*[[audio engineering|Engineered]] by Vic Smith
*Engineered by [[Vic Coppersmith-Heaven|Vic Smith]]
*[[album cover|Cover]] concept by [[John Pasche]]; photo by Bryce Atwell
*Cover concept by [[John Pasche]]; photo by Bryce Atwell
*Band photographs by Alan Johnson
*Band photographs by Alan Johnson

==Release==
The album, alongside with ''[[Sad Wings of Destiny]]'', owned by Gull at that time, was reissued as part of the band's limited edition [[Judas Priest discography|''50 Heavy Metal Years of Music'']] box-set, released on October 2021, through [[Sony Music Entertainment]] and [[Legacy Recordings]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Judas Priest 50 Heavy Metal Years Of Music Limited Edition Box Set |url=https://www.legacyrecordings.com/2021/07/15/judas-priest-50-heavy-metal-years-of-music-limited-edition-box-set/ |website=[[Legacy Recordings]] |publisher=[[Sony Music Entertainment]] |access-date=2 December 2024 |date=15 July 2021}}</ref>

In 2023, the band regained control of the recordings of ''Rocka Rolla'' and also their second album via the company Reach Music and are planning a 50th anniversary release of the album for 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benitez-Eves |first=Tina |date=27 April 2023 |title=Judas Priest Sells First Two Albums to Music Publisher |url=https://americansongwriter.com/judas-priest-sells-first-two-albums-to-music-publisher/ |access-date=16 March 2024 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}}</ref>

Hill confirmed in a 2024 interview with Detroit radio station [[WRIF]] that the album had been "re-engineered" by Priest collaborator [[Tom Allom]] in preparation for a release that was "a few weeks away."<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 August 2024 |title=IAN HILL Says Remixed Version Of JUDAS PRIEST's 'Rocka Rolla' Is On The Way: 'It's Finally Got The Production It's Always Needed'|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/ian-hill-says-remixed-version-of-judas-priests-rocka-rolla-is-on-the-way-its-finally-got-the-production-its-always-needed |access-date=2 September 2024 |website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|language=en-US}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

{{Judas Priest}}
{{Judas Priest}}


{{Authority control}}
⚫
[[Category:Judas Priest albums]]

[[Category:1974 debut albums]]
[[Category:1974 debut albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Rodger Bain]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Rodger Bain]]
[[Category:Albums recorded at Trident Studios]]
⚫
[[Category:Judas Priest albums]]

Latest revision as of 15:04, 2 December 2024

For the music magazine, see Rock-A-Rolla.

Rocka Rolla
Studio album by
Judas Priest
Released6 September 1974 (1974-09-06)
RecordedJune–July 1974[1]
StudioIsland, Trident and Olympic, London
Genre
Length38:49
LabelGull
ProducerRodger Bain
Judas Priest chronology
Rocka Rolla
(1974) 		Sad Wings of Destiny
(1976)
Reissue cover
Singles from Rocka Rolla
  1. "Rocka Rolla"
    Released: August 1974

Rocka Rolla is the debut studio album by English heavy metal band Judas Priest, released on 6 September 1974 by Gull Records. It was produced by Rodger Bain, who had made a name for himself as the producer of Black Sabbath's first three albums and Budgie's first two albums. It is the only album to feature drummer John Hinch.

Background

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According to the band, the entire album was played live in the studio rather than having individual musicians record alone.[2]

According to the band there were technical problems in the studio, resulting in poor sound quality and a hiss through the album. Guitarist Glenn Tipton had just joined when recording of Rocka Rolla began; his only songwriting contributions accepted by producer Rodger Bain were on the title track and "Run of the Mill". He did come up with the songs "Tyrant", "Epitaph", and "Ripper", but Bain considered them not commercial enough and rejected them. Bain also rejected the concert staple "Whiskey Woman" which later, with contributions from Tipton, morphed into "Victim of Changes". These songs were eventually all included on their next album, Sad Wings of Destiny. In addition, "Winter", "Deep Freeze" and "Winter Retreat" form a suite, but are listed as separate tracks and divided as such on some versions of the CD release.

Several of the songs on the album feature contributions from the band's previous frontman Al Atkins and had been regular parts of their live performances in Manchester, where the band had achieved a cult following during the previous few years. The track "Caviar and Meths" was originally a 14-minute effort penned by Atkins, Downing, and Hill but due to time constraints, only the intro was recorded for the album. A longer 7-minute version of the song appears on Atkins's 1998 album Victim of Changes. That album also contains covers of "Winter" and "Never Satisfied".

At this time, the band had not yet developed their signature look of leather and studs. They had appeared on British television show The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1975, performing "Rocka Rolla" and "Dreamer Deceiver", and their wardrobe was very "hippified" as journalist Malcolm Dome put it. This footage was included on the Electric Eye DVD. In addition, the album is more blues/hard rock-oriented than their later releases,[3] and also has some slight progressive rock influences that would continue through to Stained Class, but to a lesser extent, and would be abandoned in later releases. This makes the album's style virtually unrecognizable when compared with later Priest albums, although "Rocka Rolla" does feature dual guitars, and "Run of the Mill" is the first song that was explicitly designed for Halford's, rather than Atkins', vocal range.

Drummer John Hinch was dismissed in 1975 before the next record was recorded. Tipton would later refer to him as being "musically inadequate" for the band's future plans.

Rob Halford made a brief explanation before performing "Never Satisfied" during the Epitaph Tour, as there were "a few blank stares" from the audience while performing the song.[4]

The album was reissued several times over the years, and in 1984 it was issued with a different sleeve design. The original "bottle cap" album cover art was initially intended by designer John Pasche for use with an unspecified Rolling Stones album. The band had filed a lawsuit with the Coca-Cola company.[5][failed verification] The re-issue cover art (by artist Melvyn Grant, and originally used as the cover for the novel The Steel Tsar) was also used for the US cover of Ballistix for the TurboGrafx-16 and Amiga.

Most of the songs from Rocka Rolla have not been performed by Judas Priest live since the mid-late 1970s, although Halford's solo band performed "Never Satisfied" during live shows in 2003, and the same song was part of the setlist of the Epitaph World Tour. "Rocka Rolla" was performed for the first time since 1976 at Bloodstock Open Air in 2021.

The tour for Rocka Rolla was Judas Priest's first international tour[6] with dates in Germany, Holland, Norway and Denmark including one show at Hotel Klubben[7] in Tønsberg, one hour from Oslo, Norway which scored them a somewhat negative review in the local press.[8]

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[10]

The album was released to very little reception selling "only a few thousand copies". Because it flopped, the band found themselves in dire financial straits. In particular, they talked of nights in which they were starving and didn't know when they were going to get their next meal. They tried to enter into an agreement with Gull Records to pay them £50 a week, but Gull, which was also suffering economic woes, refused.[11] In a retrospective review, AllMusic gave Rocka Rolla a rating of 2.5 out of five stars, and said that while it was a "sketchy and underfocused debut", the album "definitely hints at Judas Priest's potential and originality".[9]

Track listing

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Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."One for the Road"Rob Halford, K. K. Downing4:34
2."Rocka Rolla"Halford, Downing, Glenn Tipton3:05
3."Winter"Al Atkins, Downing, Ian Hill3:02
4."Deep Freeze"Downing1:58
5."Winter Retreat"Halford, Downing1:30
6."Cheater"Halford, Downing2:59
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
7."Never Satisfied"Atkins, Downing4:50
8."Run of the Mill"Halford, Downing, Tipton8:34
9."Dying to Meet You/Hero, Hero"Halford, Downing6:23
10."Caviar and Meths" (Instrumental)Atkins, Downing, Hill2:02
1987 remaster bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."Diamonds and Rust" (Joan Baez cover, 1975 recording)Joan Baez3:12

Track notes

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The original UK LP has a longer version of "Rocka Rolla" than the version used for the US LP release, and most CD releases. It has an extra verse and chorus at the beginning of the song.[better source needed]

The very rare first printing of the UK LP has the words "Thanks for the words Al!" printed last in the credits in the blue circle on the back cover. This, presumably a reference to original singer Al Atkins, has been removed on other versions of the Gull vinyl.[better source needed]

On some versions of the CD release, "Rocka Rolla" is timed at 4:00 and "Winter" at 0:45, becoming a medley but remaining on separate tracks.[clarification needed] Some releases, e.g. Hero, Hero also combine "Winter", "Deep Freeze" and "Winter Retreat" into one track. The iTunes version combines those three plus "Cheater" into one track.

The version of "Diamonds & Rust" that appears on the re-release is actually from the Sad Wings of Destiny sessions and not the version that appears on Sin After Sin. It was probably included to provide interest in Rocka Rolla, an album that would have been unknown to many of the band's fans due to the band not playing songs from it live after the 1970s.[dubious – discuss]

Rocka Rolla features Judas Priest's longest track, "Run of the Mill" (8:34), prior to "Cathedral Spires" (9:17) from Jugulator in 1997. It is also the longest track co-written by Halford, Downing and Tipton prior to "Lochness" (13:28) from Angel of Retribution in 2005.

Rocka Rolla was covered by Swedish black metal band Vondur in the EP The Galactic Rock n' Roll Empire[citation needed]

Personnel

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Judas Priest
Production

Release

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The album, alongside with Sad Wings of Destiny, owned by Gull at that time, was reissued as part of the band's limited edition 50 Heavy Metal Years of Music box-set, released on October 2021, through Sony Music Entertainment and Legacy Recordings.[12]

In 2023, the band regained control of the recordings of Rocka Rolla and also their second album via the company Reach Music and are planning a 50th anniversary release of the album for 2024.[13]

Hill confirmed in a 2024 interview with Detroit radio station WRIF that the album had been "re-engineered" by Priest collaborator Tom Allom in preparation for a release that was "a few weeks away."[14]

References

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  1. ^ Popoff, Martin (2018). Decade of Domination (2nd ed.). Wymer Publishing. p. 30. ISBN 978-1-912782-63-5.
  2. ^ Post on the official Judas Priest Facebook page. 2 December 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  3. ^ "Metal Recusants". Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  4. ^ Hartmann, Graham "Gruhamed". JUDAS PRIEST'S ROB HALFORD AND IAN HILL TALK 'CHOSEN FEW,' UPCOMING ALBUM + MORE Archived 24 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  5. ^ "Judas Priest logo history". Kkdowning.net. Archived from the original on 15 July 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  6. ^ "Judas Priest Info Pages - Forging The Metal". Thexquorum.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  7. ^ "Hotell Sentralt i Tønsberg - Quality Hotel Klubben". Nordicchoicehotels.no. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  8. ^ "Newspaper cutting : Lydsjokk pa Klubben". Kkdowning.net. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  9. ^ a b Huey, Steve. Rocka Rolla at AllMusic. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  10. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857125958. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  11. ^ "Judas Priest Behind The Music Remastered: Judas Priest". MTV. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  12. ^ "Judas Priest 50 Heavy Metal Years Of Music Limited Edition Box Set". Legacy Recordings. Sony Music Entertainment. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  13. ^ Benitez-Eves, Tina (27 April 2023). "Judas Priest Sells First Two Albums to Music Publisher". American Songwriter. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  14. ^ "IAN HILL Says Remixed Version Of JUDAS PRIEST's 'Rocka Rolla' Is On The Way: 'It's Finally Got The Production It's Always Needed'". Blabbermouth.net. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
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