Tim "Ripper" Owens - Official Forum

[Johnny Z.]

Luiz Henrique Cipolla Benetti pergunta:
About the vocal techniques, had the study of classical material or different sounds, other than Heavy Metal, influenced your development as a singer? I just grew up singing, like choir and stuff, but I loved metal and that was how my voice fit..all styles
Still about the vocal techniques, can you tell us anything about your routine? Just don’t say you only drink water (joke) I drink a lot of water..lol!! No I do some humming and I sing through a straw, kinda like a humming..a lot of rest and a lot of praying
Inside the today’s context of Heavy Metal, do you believe the stile is in decay itself? What is the problem with the new bands? Well they are different, I don’t think it is in decay..I think we forget all the SHITY bands in the 80s and 90s..I mean there was a lot of shity metal bands! Music changes..Kids gotta have there own bands, you cant always totally live in the past
Is there anybody who you still would like to work with? And is there anybody that you would never like to work with? Tony Iomi, zakk wyld …but really I have worked with everybody..lol
Is there any chance of a reunion with the Winters Bane? For a live CD or a ‘Heart of a Killer Part II’? I tried to do something but I could not get enough interest from labels to do it..I wanted to make Heart of a killer part 2 and have it be a prequel and tell the story about the blade before he was caught
In today’s scene, all the legendary singers are feeling the heavy weight of age, and your beginning in Judas have chocked a big amount of the community, since that technically you don’t owe anything to any other big name in the area, but still, you play a big part of the year in small clubs and bars, for small crowds. Do you feel it is unfair? No..It really is my choice, I like to stay busy and play music, it is my life and I enjoy it..I can put bigger tours together but seeing the fans and doing it is great!! I mean I toured about 7 months last year..from crowds of 100 people to crowds of 2000 people to crowds of 20,000 people..so Life is great for me
Tell us about the audition to join Judas. Was it like the legend tells? Have you entered the place, sang the first verse of ‘Victim of Changes’ and were in? It was..I came in and they said get some rest and I said no way, lets do it now..sang the first line and Glenn said Owens you got the gig..LOL Then I sang the rest and I also sang the Ripper and then they called me that from then on
How were the first months with the Judas’ members? Great..We hit is off right from the start and all was great..We always had so much fun together
I don’t know if it is just my impression, but seeing the Bootlegs and “Live in London” itself I have the impression that your relationship with Glenn Tipton was different than the relationship with the others. With Judas ending its activities, do you see any perspective of working together with Tipton? I really wasn’t..I mean I did do a lot with Glenn but I did with the rest as well..We all got along so good and are to this day great friends…And I would love to work with Glenn or KK or Scott or Ian…. Or Rob..lol
About the recent rumors of your participation in Dio’s Band, to release the material that Ronnie wasn’t able to finish while he was alive, isn’t it a burden too havey for carrying? In the last 15 years you’ve been carrying this kind of burden… to replace Rob Halford, Matt Barlow and now, even not replacing him, you will be the frontman of one of the biggest bands in history to record the material of what could be said, the biggest singer in Heavy Metal. No other music but Classic Ronnie and doing tours..under the name Dio Disciples…A tribute to Ronnie
Why don’t you play more Juda’s songs in you tours? I love ‘Burn in Hell’, but there are big songs like ‘Brain Dead, Dead Meat and Devil Digger’ that, in my opinion, deserve to be played… maybe by giving up some material of Rob’s era, like ‘Eletric Eye’ and ‘Painkiller’, and focusing on your time specifically. I do..I do a lot of touring so everyone gets different sets..I guess you haven’t been up to date on me.. I do different sets all the time..the more I tour the more tunes I have put it…I guess you really haven’t been following me, seeing that I have now played, Hell is home, One on One, lost and found ,Burn in hell, Red Baron , Scream machine, And you will die, the human race, My last words, Heart of a killer, Starting over, Death race, Believe..and I throw in songs like Painkiller, Victim of changes, Heaven and hell, etc to make it exciting..fans what to hear me do my stuff along with classics I did on Live in London
What was the feeling on Winters Bane during the recordings of Heart of a Killer? Was anything different in the air? Because in my opinion, it is one of the 5 best Heave Metal discs. Yea…it was fun..It was an ok cd for me.. It was cool going to Germany..I really would love to redo it now and make the vocals sound better and richer and fuller..I like a lot more of my work over that but I was young and it was exciting times
There are many comments on the internet about your performance in “Close to You”, maybe even saying it is your best work at Judas Priest. What do you think of this? Wow, never heard that..I do love that song, But man I loved the Priest stuff..Now when I go back and listen to it I say, KICK ASS
What do you think about listening to Matt Barlow singing some songs that were written during your time in Iced Earth?I really haven’t heard him sing them, I got a lot more important things on my plate….That being said, Matt is a wonderful guy and I wish him happiness with his family
I’ve never seen a bootleg of you singing “Victim of Changes” in concerts after you left Judas Priest, but on the other hand, you still keep playing songs from Rob Halford’s time, like Painkiller. Is there any trauma with this song? Because until you joined Priest, it had a special place in your setlists. Are you fucking nuts..I do Victim and Diamonds and Ripper and Exciter…Where the fuck are you guys getting your information
In any aspect, were you disappointed with any of your past idols when you met them in person? If yes, which of them? NO
There’s a video-biography of yours in Youtube, that covers until you joined Priest... In the end, there are images of a concert in Agora Theatre (02/15/1998) which shows what people says it is your mother headbanging with Priest’s sound… What was the feeling? – LINK: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU57Kj3A0NE ) Wow..It was great, Hard to sing cause I was a bit chocked up…All my family and my daughter…I am a family guy and they all always supported me and they still do
About your family, did they always support you for your singing career? The parents, very often, don’t support that… hahahah Yes they did..its awesome
About your way of shrilling, is really different from what we usually hear, is much like it doesn’t have a break between the registers of Chest, head and falsetto, did you specifically worked for this? Seth Riggs has a method for this, have you studied it or just happened naturally? I just sing…My way and I just sing..I don’t get into what its called..I guess it is now the Ripper Method..lol
Do you believe that, in a way of thinking, the internet became a problem to Heavy Metal? Not just only talking about the downloads, but to the speed things are demystified? Well..everything you do is on there..I think the worse part is the phones and cameras in the theaters and then you are on You tube….sad
For being North-American, have you suffered any kind of prejudice for assuming as lead singer of a so English band like the Priest?hahaha No…Not sure why I would..hahaha
Rodrigo Leão Vecchi pergunta:
What do you think about Judas announcements of stop making tours? And what about the gossips of you leading the vocals of Heaven & Earth? It is a sad day but JP has been doing it for years, Love em and wish them well…..The HnH rumors …Pretty good one..sounds good to me…hahahah but just rumors

Maycon Chrystian pergunta?

Would like to know more about your future projects. Well I am busy touring solo and now with Dio Disciples and I hope to have a tour with Yngwie in Oct/Nov

Is there any chance of you returning to Iced Earth someday? NO

Anderson Luiz Schraiber pergunta:

Please advise what were the main difficulties you came up against and what were the main incentives when you started your career. Well I never thought I would do this for a living..hahaha Thanks Priest!! But really it takes luck and I work hard on my craft..I want to blow people away..ya need to do that

Rasmus Håkans pergunta:

Do you have any unreleased old demo tunes laying around (not talking about the to-be releasd BF 2)?? Maybe a few…not sure though./.hahaha I havd a band Twist of fate and some other Winters bane tunes..

Luiz Raposo pergunta:

What is the feeling of recording songs that you know you’ll never play live, which will be only on CD? For exemple, Decapitate (Judas Priest), The Light (Tim Ripper Owens), Cathedral Spires (Judas Priest). How do you know which song will work on studio or live? Well I did cathedral before live..but it is strange,,I hop to ply some of the priest tunes and other songs some day, but I always talk about that..sometimes I will hear a song that I haven’t heard in YEARS..lol

Have you ever regret singing a song? Which? Not really..I am a singer and I love to sing..

Have you ever made a fail, in a live presentation, to the point of wanting to hide and never show yourself again? Do you remember the music? Yea..I have had a few shows where I just had no voice..Horrible, just horrible!! And it haunts me to this day, I mean I try and pride myself on singing live and doing it right if not better..I see a lot of metal sings that cant do that, you might think they do cause you are a big fan but then you step back and they just don’t do it live..I love to do it live..and a few of these shows where aboust as bad as it gets..one Germany with Priest and one Flint Michigan with Iced earth….< don’t get me wrong..I have had a TON of bad shows..hahahha But these where a disaster

Is there any tone of any music where you thing “OK, this way it won’t work… Let’s try different”? I always like to try things different. I myself don’t love sing all the high screaming stuff, I like to just sing in my ballsy normal voice…Like the Di stuff…but then at the end of the recording I am putting in High notes cause that’s what people want to hear me do..lol

Who had the art idea of Play My Game front cover? Well I had guy named Matt Cassel doing it and we kept coming up with ideas…I had other ideas for the front cover and I wanted to use that in the back or inside the sleeve..But everybody seemed to love it, from the Label to the management. Also I wasn’t gonna call it Play My game but the label wanted that..which I do like the title now

Have you ever refused to sing any music live while you were in Judas? Which and Why? No..singing turbo wasn’t my favorite.,…lol but it was a nice break during the set..haha No really I loved sing all the tunes..I mean I didn’t have to sing like Rob like people thought I was doing, I was singing like myself and it worked

Have you ever refused to sing any music live while you were in Iced Earth? Which and Why? No..I had a good time and loved singing the Iced Earth stuff…But While I was in IE, We could have NOTHING said about Priest or my nickname Ripper or the music, but It was good times in IE

In Judas Priest, what was the most stupid lyrics in the best music? Why?hahahah I am not gonna go there..hahah ok, Maybe turbo lover..lol

In Judas Priest, what was the most stupid lyrics in the best music? Why? Not sure, Turbo lover was kinda funny. But really I loved em all

Who had the idea of singing Diamonds and Rusts (Joan Baez) in acoustic version? Have you ever considered singing it in the Judas Priest’s way in “Sin after Sin”? We where sitting around at a photo shoot and Glenn had an acoustic guitar, well we where doing some old classics and just fooling around and Glenn started playing it..It was freaking awesome and we said..we gotta do it live and the rest is history! I would love to do it Sin after sin way but now this version has my stamp on it< I mean now Rob even does it Kinda that way with out the high stuff at the end

José Paulo pergunta:

Is there any possibility of you singing together with Rob in any concert of the Judas goodbye tour (even if it was one music)? Would be very cool if happens and would make justice to the band’s history. How can we send this idea to Judas’ guys? I would love that..Love the guys and I think the fans would Love it…But I really don’t think it will happen…But ya never know! lol

Lucas Santana da Silva pergunta:

What’s your opinion about “The Glorious Burden” from Iced Earth? I believe it is your best work. You really put a lot of feeling in those musics. It is simply an amazing album and I still always hear it. Congratulations for your career and please present us with another great album from Beyond Fear. I really like it, it was a great cd, not the best timing but a great cd..I think the Gettysburg piece is just great…and I hope another Beyond Fear cd real sone…thanks

Rafael Lopez pergunta:

First of all, would like to say hello and tell you I’m a great fan of your career.
You are above the average as a singer and we, rock fans worldwide are proud to hear the excellent singer you are!
Well, my question is, Matt Barlow quit Iced Earth again, for personal reasons.
1 – Do you believe that there’s a possibility of your return to sing with Iced Earth? Because your albums with them are excellent. No, there isn’t a chance at all
2 – What’s your situation in Yngwie Malmsteen’s band? Why have you recorded only few tracks of the album? The music “Look at you Now” has everything to do with your vocals, why haven’t you recorded it? I recorded two albums with Yngwie and about 14 or so songs..so really that is quite a few..lol and Live I think I sing more songs every time we go out…I look forward to more touring and cd’s with Yngwie
3 – How is it going with your solo career? And what do you think about the public and metal bands in Brazil? My solo stuff is going great,.,,I wish My cd was out there more for sell< I would love for the fans to get it..but that is just the way it goes…And there is a lot of great players in Brazil..I have played with a lot of them

Wesley Dobrychtop Ieger pergunta:

What do you think about Judas’ Priest goodbye tour? Sucks..I wish they would keep touring….They are friends..but if ya need a rest..ya need a rest



Bruno Schmidt pergunta:

Ripper, in what phase of your life you realized that your voice had a different potential and that you could sing? Real early on..I would just sing along with Elvis records and Alic cooper and BTO and then Kiss and it was all easy..then I would sing in choir, so I was real youg

What unexpected albums can we find in your collection? Celine Dio, Lynard Skinnard,..not a lot ..I am a sports kinda guy

If you wouldn’t follow the musical path, what would be your occupation? What kind of Job? Man, I don’t know…I would say Sales..just not sure what the hell I would be doing..lol

Which musicians would you like to work with or to make a guest appearance in a work? AL OF EM…lol

To me, the “Charred Walls of the Damned” is your best work so far, how is the new album? Will it come together with a bonus DVD? If you could release a DVD with the recording sessions would be cool, only little longer this time.

How is it to work with Richard, Steve and Jason? All is great with cwotd..a lot different for me, kida all over the place musically with me singing the same style I always do..The new cd is Kick ass and it is a blast recording with them..funny guys and so talented..Thanks bud

Danny Johann pergunta:

Tim, I know that this question must have been made by some fan, but even so I will do it ...

Tim, with Matt Barlow leaving again the Iced Earth, you see the possibility of reuniting with the band? Either there is no friendly relationship between you and Jon Schaffer? Hahahha NO

What do you think about the retirement of Judas Priest?? Hit this one already..Thanks buddy

Giovani pergunta:

A few weeks ago, K.K. Downing said that he will conduct an election in his official website to choose the setlist for the concerts… He brought up the idea of Rob Halford singing some songs of Jugulator and Demolition… are you surprised in any manner by this information? Please comment. No..He should..They are Judas Priest songs and should be played..it really is a shoame that they steer away from them and the cd’s made with me..I mean they wont even put those cd’s on the market to buy..shame on them

Sérgio William Costa pergunta:

Tim, why do you prioritize the covers in your concerts instead of focusing in your solo musics, from Beyond Fear and your recordings at Judas Priest? I answered this..I do different sets all the time..the more I tour the more tunes I have put it…I guess you really haven’t been following me, seeing that I have now played, Hell is home, One on One, Burn in hell, Red Baron , Scream machine, And you will die, the human race, My last words, Heart of a killer, Starting over, Death race, Believe..and I throw in songs like Painkiller, Victim of changes, Heaven and hell, etc to make it exciting..fans what to hear me do my stuff along with classics I did on Live in London

Felipe Santana pergunta:

With Matt Barlow quitting Iced Earth, is there any chance of you returning to the band? Hell no hahahaha

Jhony Watson pergunta:

Would like to know what are your 5 favorite metal singers today. If you could choose one of your former bands to a return, what would be your choice? Ronnie James Dio, Halford, Joey Belladonna, Chris Cornell, Dickenson …And I would love to do something with the Priest guys again..I mean I tour more now, I make More money now…but I miss hanging with them..great guys and we had great times


Glauco Teles pergunta:

Congratulations for his talent, for me you are one of the best singers that heard already, forces aggressiveness and technique, always continue like this, I wait one day to speak to you. Which the worst, and the best thing of the scenery heavy metal? Best thing is fans like you..I love the fans, you all amaze me, thanks..worst is the travel away from my family..all in name of Metal..lol

Nicolas Cardoso Quadros pergunta:

How can you achieve such shill notes and, at the same time, so grave notes and even guttural? All of this which such a power in your voice!!
If I could choose one voice to have (and I try to sing for three years), I’d choose yours! You have the best voice in heavy metal.
But anyway, my question is, to me you are ‘the man’, perfect to continue the work of Ronnie James Dio in Black Sabbath’s band, known today as Heaven & Hell. Believe your voice fits perfectly. What are the chances of this happening?
Well I guess we all know that the H&H thing isn’t happening, all rumors. But the Dio Disciples thing is and I along with his band will be touring the world celebrating the Music of Ronnie and having fun with you all
Vinicius Zimmermann pergunta:

Tim, What are the 5 singers which had most influenced your voice? Ronnie James Dio, Halford, Joey Belladonna, Chris Cornell, Dickenson

Before singing in Priest, at Winters Bane, have you thought to sing as a professional? Not really. To me that did not happen until I was 28 and I made Judas Priest..I always worked and did music on the side..then I got the break of a lifetime..lol

Elton Carlos Camilo pergunta:

Was the movie named “Rock Star” inspired in your career? From cover to lead vocals of the biggest band in Heave Metal history? How was that? Yes it was loosely based on me..it was gonna really be about me but the band wanted to pull away so they made there own movie..but I am flattered about the movie

Why have you never came to Belo Horizonte city ? Is there a possibility? I would love to…Lets get it done!!

Are you sought for many bands? Always..I get emails non stop about joing other bands..kinda cool

Did you know any song of your time in Iced Earth that Matt couldn’t sing right? No

Marcelo Lopes pergunta:

Considering all I’ve heard with your voice (Judas, Iced, Malmsteen, Beyond, Etc..) I concluded that your voice gets more harmonic and causes more impact in more aggressive songs, like Scream Machine, which is a proof itself of a little more thrash/heavy is important for your voice. Other songs that presented a more melodic tendency like Iced / Malmsteen, the songs were not great at all. How do you seek this convergence, do you feel this way too? I believe it is necessary to associate with better composers instead of focusing in 1 style only. After all, you intend to be polyvalent.
Ps. The Iced Earth’s quality that I love is the sound more related to Thrash, and when you joined Iced, was something very good in my mind, but than Jon decided to change the sound’s composition, which in my opinion reduced the success and, as consequence, helped to split both. I don’t agree at all..I think I am great at the heavy stuff, but I like the more melodic vocals, songs that have a bit more feel..like Gettysburg and one of my all time favs is Starting over, Or Diamonds and rust, or Burn in hell..hahah list goes on..so no I do not agree with you at all….I love all the ways I sing and I just love to sing all ways..lol

Bruno Pinho pergunta:

We have a chance to see you again singing for Judas Priest, I saw you and Rob on judas vocals, and you are 10 times better.. I would say No..would love to though.

Why did´t came to Rio de Janeiro last year?? We want a show too! It was a smaller tour..but it wasn’t in my hands it was in the booking agent Dannys hands..Things got kinda messed up on that tour and shows where put in there at the last minute..and I do mean last minute..but I gotta say, they where GREAT shows, I loved them all

Tony Velho pergunta:

Dear Tim Ripper, you got my Ferrari hat in Porto Alegre show (2009), do you still wear it? Best Regards. I wore it up until it fell apart..hahaha I guess it just wa worn out! Thanks bud


André Luiz Ponseca pergunta:

You’ve been in great bands, and in one very special for you, Judas, which you are a fan. If you were invited to join another band which you are a fan, what would that be? Would you take the invitation or you are just focused in your solo career? Well I am doing the Dio Disciples project, which is friends getting together to celebrate Ronnie’s music…But I would have to say, The Black Sabbath fella’s…The music, Guitar riffs, Bass playing is crazy cool and good and great drums…I just think it is a cool fit..Not Call it Heaven and Hell or Sabbath..call it something else

Vini Penha pergunta:

Judas has recently announced that this will be their last year on tour. Is it possible for you to have a special guest appearance with them? After all, you were a part of them and would be very very nice to see you singing together with Rob Halford. No..I answered this one already..I would love to do it but It really isn’t gonna happen
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[nckissfan]

some great questions there, but some really bad ones, too. haha
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[Charger]

Awww...hurts my eyes to read that...

But what I could muster some good stuff there...
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[ripperowens213]

Is there any possibility of you singing together with Rob in any concert of the Judas goodbye tour (even if it was one music)? Would be very cool if happens and would make justice to the band’s history. How can we send this idea to Judas’ guys? I would love that..Love the guys and I think the fans would Love it…But I really don’t think it will happen…But ya never know! lol

This would be Fucking Awesome!!!

[metalus]

Some good questions there. would be great to have a duet with rob before they retire for good. but as tim said aint going to happen as much as it would be cool.

[ripperowens213]

[Adriana Estefanía]

Thanks for sharing Johnny!!

[Bulletproof]

[IcedPriestOfFear]