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MAPLE HEIGHTS -- For the first time in 525 days, Jim Bartek will have 103 extra minutes a day to kill.

On Saturday, the 49-year-old Maple Heights man banged his head to the Judas Priest double album "Nostradamus" for the 524th and final time -- after listening to it at least once a day for the previous 523 consecutive days.

The feat gained him international notoriety, thanks to hundreds of articles in newspapers, blogs and magazines such as Rolling Stone.

He ended his streak at the Maple Grove bar in Maple Heights before about 35 people.

"Some think he's crazy," said Bill Peters, a DJ on WJCU FF/88.7 who started spotlighting Bartek's feat on his radio show 500 days ago and attended the event. "But his passion and devotion made him an international cause."

The feat even moved Rob Halford. The Judas Priest singer not only sought out Bartek during a Cleveland concert in July, but he also taped a testimonial that was played at Saturday's event:

"You are a special guy . . . You brought a lot of attention to 'Nostradamus' around the world. We got quite a bump from that. Thank you, Jim. Thank you for being a fan."

"Nostradamus" is dedicated to the 16th century seer who predicted cataclysmic events. There was nothing cataclysmic about the Final Listening Party, though.

Bartek, who works in a truck shop, lorded over the bar in a Nostradamus costume. He smiled and laughed, his feet dangling and swinging from a large wooden throne like a baby's on a high chair.

His boxer Clarence was in wagging spirits too -- and not because Bartek kept pouring Labatt Blue in the dog's bowl. He's been Bartek's sidekick throughout the streak.

"Instead of bonding by going for walks, we'd listen to Judas Priest together on the couch," said the Maple Heights resident.

As "Nostradamus" neared its end, there was Clarence, side by side with his lord.

Bartek's fans cheered -- out of respect, but also joy that the critically panned opus was over.

They handed Bartek a sledgehammer and instructed him to smash the CD. Bartek looked aghast but relented.

"Now you can go back to being Jim Bartek," yelled Peters.

So what is Jim Bartek planning on doing with that extra 103 minutes a day?

"I might start the streak all over again after taking a day off," he said. "But I'm thinking I should write a book about this and get a movie deal."