Scott Travis

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Scott Travis

Background information
Birth name Scott Travis
Born September 6, 1961 (1961-09-06) (age 46)
Origin Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Genre(s) Hard rock
Heavy metal
Speed metal
Occupation(s) Drummer
Instrument(s) Drums
Years active 1981-present
Associated acts Hawk
Racer X
The Scream
Judas Priest
Fight (band)

Scott Travis (born September 6, 1961, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.) is the drummer for legendary British heavy metal band Judas Priest and American hard-rock band Racer X. An aspiring young drummer, Travis moved to California in the early 1980s and played in various local bands, such as Hawk, and later on moved to play for the critically acclaimed Racer X, together with guitar hero Paul Gilbert, and very briefly played in The Scream, which also featured Scott Travis's Racer X bandmates Bruce Bouillet and John Alderete. His big career move came about late in the decade as Judas Priest's long time drummer, Dave Holland exited the band, citing personal reasons.

Travis had always wanted to be the drummer of Judas Priest. As a young teen, he had often thought about setting up his drumkit in the parking lot at the Hampton Coliseum in hopes that the band would notice him as they rolled through with their tour bus. He finally decided to wait out back of the arena, and hand the band a tape of his playing. Priest still had Dave Holland, so nothing ever came out from the encounter. When Dave Holland did leave Judas Priest in 1989, Jeff Martin heard about it through his friendship with Rob Halford. Jeff called up Scott one day and said "Guess who needs a drummer." Travis auditioned for the vacant position and in 1989 got the job, thus becoming the first non-Briton to play the legendary Birmingham heavy rock monster. Travis has been with the band ever since and he also handles drum duties for his former band Racer X. He played drums in Rob Halford's band Fight from 1993 to 1995, but to date is best-known for his work with Judas Priest, for which he has been widely acclaimed ever since his debut with 1990's Painkiller.

Travis was also largely responsible for hiring Tim 'Ripper' Owens as Halford's replacement in Judas Priest from 1996 until the 2003 reunion (see Judas Priest for more).