Play it Again, Sam #30b - "Diamonds and Rust"

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We started with 50 songs, and we've already burned through 20 of them. We are at #30b, the "cover" portion of today's Play it Again, Sam: Judas Priest's cover of Joan Baez' classic, "Diamonds and Rust." Metal Gods Judas Priest had originally intended their cover of "Diamonds and Rust" for their 1976 album, Sad Wings of Destiny, but the track did not make the cut, and didn't see the light of day until it was included on that record's follow up, 1977's Sin After Sin, after the producer, Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover, suggested adding the song to the album. According to Wikipedia, "Diamonds and Rust" was the first Judas Priest tune to get played on the radio, and is still a part of the band's concert setlist, although these days, Priest mostly performs an acoustic rendition. As for Joan Baez' reaction? "I love that! I was so stunned when I first heard it. I thought it was wonderful. It's very rare for people to cover my songs." And there you have it. A great cover with the stamp of approval from the songwriter herself! (Info verified by Wikipedia)