American Idol's Rocker James Durbin on Regis and Kelly: Interview and Performance

James Durbin visits Live with Regis and Kelly and sings an acoustic version "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles and Carole King




  

After the American Idol Finale, Judas Priest Says, "James Durbin is our Hero"

A new heavy metal hero has emerged, thanks to an unlikely source: American Idol.

The reality series had never seen anyone like James Durbin before, as the 22-year old from Santa Cruz brought hard rock and heavy metal to the Idol stage for the first time.

Metal legends Judas Priest joined Durbin for the Idol finale, which was seen by 29.3 million viewers; USA Today reports that's a 21% increase over last year (24.2 million). The May 25 broadcast was also up 12% in young adults (18-to-49) compared to the Season 9 finale.

"It's just amazing, it really is," Priest vocalist Rob Halford tells FoxNews.com's "Fox 411" (see video below). "We've gotta say thank you to James and to American Idol for putting heavy metal music into 30 million American homes week after week. He's become a hero of ours."

James rocked Priest’s "You've Got Another Thing Coming" back in March, marking the first time a Priest tune was performed on the series, sending shock waves in the metal community and with the band themselves.

"We had no idea that [James] was covering this song by Priest,” said Halford. “All of us back in the U.K. and various locations around the world, our phones [were going off] with texts. 'Can you believe what's happening?' We were absolutely thrilled."

"James is epitomizing heavy metal, because it's the type of music that we've always had to fight for, really," added drummer Scott Travis. "So the fact that he got eliminated quicker than some people wanted him to, and he's still around and he's probably gonna have a long career. And it's the same sort of thing we've had to deal with."
  

<i>source:hennemusic</i>

A Very Confident James Durbin Says Goodbye to American Idol ~ The Curtain Call Interview

After James Durbin's shocking elimination at the American IdolSeason 10 Top 4 Results Show, James gave his final 'Curtain Call' interview with Idol.

James says he "can't believe he even made it this far" in the competition. "Right now, I'm just feeling so thankful to my family, to my friends, and most importantly to my fans. I know I have some seriously hardcore fans out there, and I know that they're rioting right now. But I want them to know, it's okay. I'm okay. This is only the beginning," says James, adding, "To know what I've accomplished, and know that everything I've done on this show, that no one else has ever done. No one's pushed that bar as far as I've pushed it. I'm just really happy that I was able to bring light and give voice to a whole 'nother genre of music. Everything that I performed was my ideas. Everything. Down to what I wanted on the stage. I'm not at all disappointed in myself because I gave everything that I have, every single day, every week, in every single performance."

"I have the best fans in the world!"




  

James Durbin Featuring Judas Priest at the American Idol Finale

James Durbin stole the show, again, at the America Idol Season 10 Finale. There had been much speculation over who James would perform with. Many hoped it would be Aerosmith, since Steven Tyler had made a promise at the beginning of the show that he'd sing with James, if James made it to the finals. James came close, finishing in fourth place, and Tyler said Aerosmith would be there. But, according to the rest of the band, there were "scheduling conflicts." James got the next best thing...singing with another of his Idols, Rob Halford of Judas Priest! In a stunning performance of pyrotechnic delights, James proved he should have been in the Top 2, singing Judas Priests' 1980's hits "Livin' After Midnight" and "Breakin the Law" from the album British Steel.
On a side note: James, next time you feel like raiding the Village People's closet, please don't!!