Former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing (KK’S Priest) spoke with Classic Rock Magazine about various topics including his guitar hero, favorite album, etc., excerpts from the story, appear below.
The greatest album of all time:
K.K.: It’s got to be Electric Ladyland. I was already a [Jimi] Hendrix fan when it came out [in 1968], and I just loved it. Electric Ladyland was pretty eclectic, and it gripped me. I used to shut the curtains, put on the headphones, drop the needle and not move a muscle till the final note.
Guitar hero:
K.K.: Without a doubt it’s Hendrix again. He was the all-in-one package. Jimi was a brilliant musician, he wrote incredible songs, and he sang as well. Nobody before or since was as charismatic.
[Favorite] singer:
K.K.: The guy that really, really impressed me early on was Ian Gillan. Deep Purple In Rock, and particularly the song Child In Time when Gillan hit those high notes. That’s why when I found Rob Halford, who could do the same thing and lived not too far away, it was a dream come true.
Cult hero:
K.K.: Leslie West. His albums with Mountain were so important for an army of guitar players. He had such a brilliant guitar tone. Theme For An Imaginary Western, which was written by Jack Bruce and Pete Brown [on 1970’s Climbing!] had a wonderful solo that consisted of maybe four or five notes.
Best record I ever made:
K.K.: [Laughing] No apologies, I must pick my albums by KK’s Priest: Sermons Of The Sinner [2021] and the new one, Sinner Rides Again. They’re both very, very kick-ass and I’m proud of them both. They epitomise everything about me and who I am. They continue my legacy [with Judas Priest] and carry the hallmarks of the past.
Worst record I ever made:
K.K.: Jesus, I’ll have to go with [Judas Priest’s 1981 album] Point Of Entry. But then again there are some great songs on that one. That’s so, so hard to answer.
Most underrated band:
K.K.: They’ve been together for fifty years, but I’ll pick Wishbone Ash. They were rated at the time, though maybe not so much any more, I guess. I only grew to like them in the last ten years or so, but nobody could deny that they were so influential.
Best live album:
K.K.: I’d like to say [Judas Priest’s] Unleashed In The East, but another that jumps out at me is Tokyo Tapes by the Scorpions. I liked that one a lot when it came out [in 1978]. It had Uli Jon Roth doing his Hendrix-y thing, and some amazing songs.
Saturday night/party song:
K.K.: Anything by AC/DC. They always get me pumped up and ready to rock. Nobody does it better.
Song I want played at my funeral:
K.K.: I’d be happy with Purple Haze, the song that made me pledge my soul to what became heavy metal.
Read more at Classic Rock.
KK’S Priest has recently announced tour dates, click here to view the itinerary, and for links to hear songs from the band most recent release, The Sinner Rides Again.
19 Responses
I’d be curious to know why he thinks it’s his “worst record”. For me, his “worst record” is “Nostradamus”, with “Turbo” a close second.
Rattle,
I completely agree.
For me it would be either Ram It Down or Turbo. Also, I am not a fan of concept albums, so like you, I agree on Nostradamus, as well. I think Operation: Mindcrime is the only concept record, I can tolerate.
“Point Of Entry” is underrated. It is between “British Steel” and “Screaming…”, but has some good tunes like, “Desert Plains,” “Solar Angels” and foo like “Heading out on the Highway.” I kinda like some “Nostradamus,” but “Ram It Down” and “Turbo” are weak.
Charles,
I actually love Heading Out To The Highway, and I also really love Turning Circles, which I feel is an overlooked, and under appreciated, song. However, we agree on, Desert Plains, great song.
Demolition is my least favorite album he’s recorded. Nostradamus is a great album, and very underrated IMO. I think if it was released by a different band people would have been fine with it, but because it was a Judas Priest album and very different from what they normally do, the fans never gave it a fair shot. Turbo, definitely up there as one of their worst, but take out a couple clunkers and it’s half ass decent. Glowing review I know, but I like it better now than I used to. Not saying I love it, but I listen to it once in a while.
POE is a “Hot Rockin'” album! Not sure where K.K. is coming from, but he needs to go “All The Way” back and re-examine that album again!
If I was to guess what is going on here it would be KK is not happy with not getting invited back to Priest.And he is giving jabs at Halford. I think he has a great thing going with his solo band. Point of Entry is a great album!! My favorite from Priest alot to do with the times hanging out with friends jamming this alot. Dont go is amazing!!!! But you need great speakers for that one. The whole album does not have a bad song on it.