Sat 11/30 @ 8PM
Tim “Ripper” Owens has a long history in the metal scene.
The Akron-based singer established himself as a workhorse in the ’80s and ’90s in both original and cover bands locally. He rocketed out of that scene when he was tapped by Judas Priest in 1996 to replace their departed singer Rob Halford, someone whose material Owens had been covering in local bands.
He performed with them for almost seven years before they reunited with Halford. He went on to sing with Iced Earth, form Beyond Fear (still an ongoing project), and join Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force. He’s also part of a project called Charred Walls of the Damned.
But apparently, he just wasn’t busy enough to suit himself. He owned Ripper Owens’ Tap House in Akron for several years; after leaving that establishment, he opened Ripper’s Rock House, a sports pub/music venue, also in Akron.
Somehow, he’s found time to put together a show called Ripper Owens & friends, taking place at the Kent Stage. He’s certainly got a lot of friends to draw on from his years in the metal scene. He’s tapped guitarist Scott Jones from his ’90s cover band U.S, metal, and former members of tribute band Seattle, Doug Kleiner and Mike Callahan (who also played with Cleveland ’90s alternative metal band Disengage) to join him, with yet-unnamed others promised.
He’ll have hot Akron headbangers Red Sun Rising and Canton/Akron area rockers Fracture open.
Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 day of show.