JUDAS PRIEST GUITARIST GLENN TIPTON THOUGHT THE BAND WAS “FINISHED” WHEN K.K. DOWNING LEFT

glenntipton400 Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton says he feared Judas Priest were dead and buried when K.K. Downing quit in 2011.

Tipton’s fellow guitarist retired ahead of Priest’s Epitaph World Tour and was replaced by guitarist Richie Faulkner who went on to appear on Redeemer Of Souls. But the shock of Downing’s departure left the rest of the band in fear that their decades-long careers had come to an end.

Tipton tells Metalholic, “It came as a surprise to us all. At that time, I really, truly thought the band were finished. We were poised to do a farewell tour and, of course, Ken decided he’d had enough of that. I respect his decision. It must have been a big decision to make. I think we’ve all been through that phase. We’ve been around for 35, 40 years. But we found Richie, and Richie is a small miracle, because the guy is such a great guitar player and he blended in so well first on stage. And then, of course, he’s worked so hard and contributed so much to the album that it’s just a miracle.”

The Epitaph World Tour was supposed to be the band’s farewell, but Faulkner’s influence soon changed their minds.

Tipton adds, “When we got new blood in the band, it was needed at the time. It would be the same thing; you get some new blood in there and there’s energy and enthusiasm — motivation. You see things in a different way. He just gave everybody a kick up the backside, really. We went from literally meaning it was our last tour to there’s such great songs on this album, it’s a shame we can’t get out and play them.”

additional source: classicrockmagazine.com

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  • Jim From Houston on

    There is a music school in Ohio that has these really cool teens doing covers of various Rock and Metal songs and this girl (Emily Leavengood)does a version of Priest Cathedral Spire that is awesome. The Teacher is named Aaron Okeefe and some the videos and music these kids do is incredible considering the kids ages. Check it out.http://aaronokeefe.bandcamp.com/track/cathedral-spires-by-judas-priest
    They do Tool 46 & 2 and Dream Theater, Priest and Pantera among others.


    • Aaron on

      The whole band was awesome. I think you need to post this on the thread about Rock being dead because this is the kind of thing, the rock school, that can keep rock alive and possibly unleash the next Metal God.


  • Louis on

    Wow, some bizarre responses to this post! Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so I respect all what is said here but my opinion is that I am thankful for Richie and can’t wait to see them in October and Dave Holland can and could not hold a candle to Scott Travis! Regardless, let’s just enjoy the new CD, which has some killer tracks, (Halls of Valhalla is a top 10 tune of all time in my humble opinion) and enjoy another tour with the greatest metal band of all time!
    Rock Hard and Ride Free!!


  • metalmania on

    I have to agree that Dave Holland is benefiting from the glow of being in the band during some of their greatest successes. “Beat Keeper” is probably the best term written here for him, and I’ve heard about that second drummer being hidden under/behind the stage before. Scott Travis no question a better technical drummer, BUT… I can see where people are coming from saying he doesn’t have much stage presence and perhaps his playing is somewhat “sterile”, though still more powerful and complex than Holland. But if we’re going to criticize about stage presence, is Ian Hill literally bolted in place during their live shows?


  • George on

    Scott Travis BLOWS Dave Holland away…And no showmanship?? Like Dave Holland was what dancing behind the drumkit?? Aside from being a scumbag child molester, Hollands skills were average at best and he looked like a complete dud, so not sure how anyone can even compare the two…


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