I believe they asked Phillips to stay but he wanted something else. As you might know eventueally he has become one of the most famous (sessions) drummers around. His
discography is very, very impressive.
Yes indeed:
source:
Although Phillips's services were requested on a full time basis the drummer, citing tour commitments with the JACK BRUCE band, declined the invitation. To fill the vacancy the band eventually settled on ex-FANCY drummer Les 'Feathertouch' Binks. 'Sin After Sin's producer, DEEP PURPLE bassist ROGER GLOVER, had previously used Binks on his 1974 concept album 'Butterfly Ball'.
To my knowledge Priest never performed with Phillips.
The only stuff I found, stated by
Phillips himself, about Priest, is something I
found on his official site. It's not much but here it is:
Question: Hello Simon; Love your work.
You played on two albums which were highly influential to me during my life as a metalhead teenager: Priest's "Sin After Sin" and Michael Schenker's first solo album, "MSG".
1. Did the musical complexities on the song "Sinner" have anything to do with your influence, and
2. Was Michael Schenker the "Mad Axeman" we all used to hear about? (slightly demented, tempermental, etc.) ...and while I've got you, what do you think of Michael in terms of his skills, you having worked with other greats like Satriani?
Simon: You are talking about 2 albums that were recorded over 20 years ago - Sin After Sin in 1977 and MSG in 1980. It's really hard to remember how we even tracked those songs. I only remember playing the Priest songs how I felt they should go. We tracked them live with Glen, Ian and Rob. KK was in the control room listening with Roger Glover. When I worked with Michael I think this was his most calm period and he was great to work with, great to be around and a great sense of humour. Michael's playing is more blues/rock based and although he doesn't have the facility of players like Satriani, Luke and Beck, he plays his music really well and gets a great sound.
+
Question: I was wondering what your impressions are about your work with Judas Priest on their 1976 album "Sin After Sin". I heard they liked your work so much that they asked you to join the band, but you declined.
Simon: I had fun recording that album - great energy - and they were great to work with and hang with. The reason I declined was because I was in the Jack Bruce Band and we were just about to tour Europe and the US to promote an album which was to be released in early 1977.
Personally I really adore the drums on "Sin After Sin". What a technque but especially what a subtility and feel! 2 examples which I like: Those breaks on "Here Come The Tears" are outstanding, and his stuff on "Sinner" grooves as f**k.