Judas Priest formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969 and became a pioneering force in heavy metal music during the 1970s and 1980s. The band's signature sound features dual lead guitars and operatic vocals from Rob Halford, combined with a blues-based heavy metal foundation. Their 1980 album British Steel marked a commercial breakthrough, with the track "Breaking the Law" becoming one of their most recognized songs. The band's lineup has evolved significantly over decades, with bassist Ian Hill and guitarist Glenn Tipton forming the core alongside Halford since the early 1970s. Judas Priest has sold over 50 million albums and influenced multiple metal subgenres, including speed metal, thrash metal, and power metal. The band won their first Grammy Award in 2010 for Best Metal Performance and continues to perform and record, maintaining an active presence in heavy metal since their formation.