In a recent interview with Backstage Axxess, Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill was asked why guitarist K.K. Downing was not asked to re-join after Glenn Tipton had to step aside due to his battle with Parkinson’s.
Ian replied, “When he retired, we took on Richie [Faulkner], you know, so he’s playing all Ken’s parts. So, it’s not Ken’s [parts] that are missing, it’s going to be Glenn’s parts that he would be playing. Really, Ken, what’s he going to do? Come over to my side of the stage and play Glenn’s parts? It wasn’t his job, if you know what I mean, that had become vacant. It was Glenn’s. Glenn and Ken are two excellent guitarists, [but] both are completely different in styles and sounds, and for Ken to be playing Glenn’s parts anyway, it really wouldn’t have sounded right anyway. We never thought about Ken for that reason.”
The “Cobras & Fire” podcast asked what Downing thought of Hill’s justification for why he wasn’t contacted about coming back to to the band, Downing said (as per blabbermouth.net), “Complete load of bollocks. If I had rejoined the band, obviously, I’d step into my role — that’s where people would expect me to be — and Richie is already playing Glenn’s parts anyway, and we’d do that. It wasn’t the case where I was gonna play Glenn’s parts and Richie plays mine.”
“I was thinking, ‘Ian, was it too early in the day or too late in the evening when you came up with this idea?'” K.K. continued. “I don’t know. But bless him — bless him, because we were like brothers; we went to infant school together and secondary school together, and we lived our career together. But I’m not totally happy about what’s being said. Ian seems to be [saying] things like, ‘None of the fans are missing K.K.,’ and, ‘Richie has brought a new energy to the band.’ And I’m going, ‘Ian, dude, on that last tour, I was the energy. I slowed down because people weren’t keeping up with me.'”
Downing added, “That’s a true story. ‘Cause I started off that tour, I played a few shows, and then Scott [Travis, drums] made a comment, and he said, ‘What do you mean, man? It’s your show.’ And I’m thinking, ‘Did he think I’m trying to steal the limelight by doing what I’ve always done?’ Then I started to back off, and then I was in an unhappy place from that point — I didn’t want everybody to think I was trying to steal the limelight when I wasn’t. ‘Cause Rob’s [Halford, vocals] reading his Autocue [teleprompter system] — he’s slowed down — Glenn’s going over there for a beer in between every song, and I’m thinking, ‘Hmm… I don’t know.’ So I’m thinking, Ian, get a grip with yourself, mate. You’ve just replaced the energy with some energy. Fine — well, great. But that’s not moving forward, Ian.”
K.K. Downing’s autobiography, “Heavy Duty: Days And Nights In Judas Priest”, will be released on September 18th through Da Capo Press. Read more about this forthcoming release by clicking here.
12 Responses
In that PRIEST vs. MAIDEN throw down, I think PRIEST only wins because they were around first. Each musician in each band is top notch and the song writing is also equally great. As far as this feud goes, if K.K. wants back in, they should make that work. What PRIEST fan wouldn’t want him? Especially if this is the final tour. As far as these guys fighting with each other goes. Look at the song titles: SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE, THE RAGE, SOME HEADS ARE GONNA ROLL, DISSIDENT AGGRESSOR, MAN ON THE EDGE, WRATHCHILD, GANGLAND and BRING YOUR DAUGHTER TO THE SLAUGHTER. Yeah tempers may flare up.
Very clever, Michael.
I agree with Dana on this. No bands that have lasted as long as Judas Priest are going to get along great their whole career. All bands have their ups and downs between members, and Priest lasted longer than most. That being said, it sure sounds to me that KK really regrets leaving the band. It could be that, given the recent financial setbacks he’s had, he sort of wishes he was still in Priest getting paid. I don’t blame Ian for sticking up for the band in its current format. KK made the decision to leave the band, and Priest has moved on. KK should just move on and, if he’s so inclined, line up some musicians and put out some new music. And I also agree with Dana that I hope the guys can just bury the hatchet and move on.
Thank you, Keith. 🙂