According to former Judas Priest guitarist, and founding member, K.K Downing, his former bandmates have no interest in including him on the band’s forthcoming 50th anniversary tour.
K.K writes (via his official website):
“First of all, I want to once again express my huge appreciation to all fans worldwide for the overwhelmingly positive response to my Bloodstock appearance in August and the Wolverhampton gig in early November. I am truly humbled and grateful.
I am also taken aback with the compelling fan outcry for me to participate in the Judas Priest 50th anniversary celebrations next year. Consequently, I felt the right thing to do was to reach out to my former band-mates to gather their thoughts on this, and their response is they are not receptive to my participation in the band and they do not intend to include me in the 50th anniversary celebrations.
However, the great news for the fans is that I will be continuing to forge ahead, I am looking very much forward to seeing you all on the road in 2020. Together we will take on the world”
Downing left the band in 2011 amid claims of conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance. He was replaced by guitarist Richie Faulkner.
Last year, he revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his former bandmates when he decided to depart from the group.. The first was described as “a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music,” while the second was “angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties.”
Downing later stated that he believed the second letter was “a key reason” he wasn’t invited to rejoin Priest after guitarist Glenn Tipton’s decision to retire from touring, due to an ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Last month, it was announced that Judas Priest is among the nominees for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame‘s class of 2020.
Downing; Tipton; drummers Dave Holland, Les Binks and Scott Travis; singer Rob Halford; and bassist Ian Hill are all on the ballot for nomination.
58 Responses
As my favorite band, this is extremely upsetting, and very disappointing, news.
It really is! That sucks! I thought for sure Rob and the guys would just let bygones be bygones, but nooooo! Drag the bullsh-t out! Why? K.K. wants back in, we want him back in, what the f–ks the problem??
If nothing else, at least for the die hard fans (like myself). This is similar to Sabbath ending their tour without Ward. It’s kind of sacrilege.
I too am a big Priest fan, but is it just me; I feel like K.K. does a lot of public “thinking out loud” and perhaps should do more heartfelt reach outs to his old band mates(?) Current Priest lineup is strong, and their most recent tour was hugely successful, so perhaps why not feeling “pressure” to have K.K. return. Similar to the whole Ace and Peter thing with KI$$. Hmm?
I’m sure the acrimony will escalate when Halford’s autobiography comes out.
Sad, but not surprising. This won’t bode well for the fans or maybe even the RRHOF. Hope they get in and that KK gets to jam with em, but I have doubts. Hope to see that 50th Tour, though.
I may skip it. Not having K.K. a founding member, no less, is kind of, and I hate disparaging my favorite band, but a garbage move.
Valid point. I joined the Priest train rather late in life. I’ve only seen them twice and that’s been on these two latest tours, only 1 including Glenn during the encore. It quite honestly sucks not seeing the two twin guitar gods up there banging out classic riffage. Another thing entirely to see the short haired producer dude filling in for Tipton. I know he’s a solid player and the latest album is produced really well.
I hope these guys can let KK back in for maybe a song or two like Axel with Steve Adler.
I think KK needs to be a part of the 50 anniversary tour. I just can’t imagine KK not being a part of it, particularly as Glenn deals with his health challenges. I think KK’s participation is essential to properly celebrate 50 years for the fans, as well as garner the tour more commercial success. Hopefully as things get closer to 50 years, cooler heads and improved thinking will prevail.
^^^^this^^^^^
Agree and this answer seems obvious. Too bad they can’t agree to disagree.