Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown Live 1985)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins the electrifying Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown) Live 1985 by Judas Priest, captured during their iconic performance at Live Aid. This track, originally written by Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac in 1970, was transformed by Judas Priest into a heavy metal juggernaut. According to posts found on X, frontman Rob Halford kicked off their Live Aid set in Philadelphia, 1985, with a roaring shout to “a few thousand metal maniacs,” diving straight into this song’s menacing riffs. The performance, in front of 100,000 fans at JFK Stadium, is remembered for its dual guitar solo by Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, a highlight that made the cover more famous than the original, as noted by PopMatters.

The song’s origins are wild, born from Peter Green’s LSD-fueled nightmare where a green dog, symbolizing money and the devil, barked at him from the afterlife. Green, struggling with his band’s refusal to share financial gains, channeled this into lyrics about greed’s grip. Judas Priest’s version, first recorded for their 1979 album Hell Bent for Leather, swapped psychedelic vibes for raw energy, with drummer Les Binks’ groove giving it a relentless edge. A Louder article highlights how Priest’s take turned Green’s haunting warning into a “crushing juggernaut of menace and melody,” cementing its place in metal history. Fun fact: the song wasn’t on the UK version of Killing Machine but debuted in the US, later shining on the live album Unleashed in the East.

Judas Priest formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969, rising from the industrial heart of the Black Country. The band’s early days were gritty, with original members like Al Atkins and a rotating cast of drummers grinding through local gigs. Rob Halford joined in 1973, bringing his operatic vocals and leather-and-studs aesthetic, which became a heavy metal hallmark. Their twin lead guitar sound, crafted by Tipton and Downing, defined albums like Sad Wings of Destiny (1976). Despite production struggles and lineup changes, their 1980 album British Steel catapulted them to global fame, blending raw power with catchy hooks. With over 50 million albums sold, they’re hailed as one of metal’s greatest, per Last.fm.

Connect with Judas Priest on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates. Zoo Freaks can also join fan communities like the Judas Priest Fan Club on Facebook or dive into fan-driven content at Encyclopaedia Metallum. Whether you’re headbanging to Green Manalishi or exploring their epic discography, Judas Priest’s legacy is pure metal mania.