Former Judas Priest and current KK’s Priest vocalist Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens has opened up about his evolving approach to vocal care. He recently adopted a warm-up routine after decades of performing without one. Owens discussed the physical demands of maintaining his legendary high notes while acknowledging that his voice requires more preparation than it once did.
“It’s still there. I think I sing as good now, if not better than, I ever have,” Owens stated. “I know I said in the press a while ago, and they ran with it, that I’ve been struggling with my voice. But when I say I’ve been struggling, that’s probably 75% for me, and it’s probably better than a lot of other people at 100%. But I try really hard. Every night, you just hope you can sing. But my high notes have been really great.”
Throughout his years fronting Judas Priest and later KK’s Priest, Owens never engaged in formal warm-up exercises before taking the stage. This approach mirrored that of his legendary predecessor Ronnie James Dio, who similarly never warmed up before performances. Owens would simply arrive and deliver his performances with the raw intensity that defined his career. He relied on his natural vocal abilities and stage presence rather than deliberate preparation.
The physical toll of decades on the road has prompted Owens to reconsider his methods. He now recognizes that maintaining peak vocal performance requires more deliberate preparation than it did in his younger years. The decision to implement warm-ups came after he began experiencing vocal strain that made it difficult to access his full range without proper preparation. This acknowledgment reflects the reality that even the most gifted singers must adapt their techniques as they age and continue to push their voices to the limits night after night.
Owens’ current vocal care regimen extends beyond simple warm-ups. He maintains strict discipline regarding his overall lifestyle while on tour. He avoids excessive talking to preserve his voice and abstains from alcohol before KK’s Priest performances. Hydration plays a crucial role in his routine, with Owens consuming significant amounts of water throughout the day to keep his vocal cords in optimal condition. These practices work in concert with his decision to warm up, creating a comprehensive approach to voice maintenance that allows him to continue delivering the powerful performances his fans expect.
The opening song of KK’s Priest shows, “Hellfire Thunderbolt,” now serves as his on-stage warm-up. This allows his voice to gradually reach full capacity as the performance progresses. This practical solution enables Owens to transition smoothly into the demanding vocal requirements of the setlist while protecting his voice from the shock of jumping directly into high-intensity singing.
“Today, I’ve been doing these warmups because my voice is struggling where it wasn’t warmed up, and that’s when I said that,” Owens explained. “Today I said, ‘You know what? I’m gonna not warm up. I’m just gonna go up and sing.’ So it worked out today. You guys were watching, so that’s scary. I could’ve sang like crap, and then you would’ve been there, filming it, probably.”
Despite the adjustments to his routine, Owens remains confident in his vocal abilities and his capacity to deliver the high notes that have defined his career. His willingness to evolve his approach demonstrates the maturity of an artist who understands that longevity in performance requires both talent and adaptation. By combining traditional vocal care practices with his own experience-based methods, Owens continues to prove that he can maintain the vocal excellence that made him one of metal’s most respected singers.
