Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford has fired back at recent comments made by the band’s former guitarist KK Downing.
Downing issued a statement earlier this week saying he wasshocked and stunned that he was not asked back into the fold after Glenn Tipton’s Parkinson’s battle came to light.
Halford calls much of Downing’s Facebook post “completely superfluous” and is particularly angry at his insinuations that co-producer Andy Sneap played Tipton’s parts on upcoming album Firepower.
Halford tells Fox Sports 910 Radio, “With regards to everything that was made in that statement, a lot of it, to me, is completely superfluous. But the one point I would like to clarify and have on record is this insinuation that Andy Sneap was covering Glenn’s guitar parts on Firepower.”
He continues, “I can categorically state that that is a thousand percent false. Because I was with Glenn for all of his guitar work – and he worked really, really hard.
Imagine this guy in the 10th year of Parkinson’s. I’ve never seen anybody so brave in the fact that every song was a challenge for him to make it work, but he did – consistently, day after day.
It was just a very powerful thing to experience first-hand. And this just goes to show you about the amazing stories that surround individuals around the world that are dealing with Parkinson’s in their life.”
Halford adds, “I just wanted to touch on that one issue, because out of everything that was laid out in that statement, that one hit me personally. Now I’ve been able to clarify that and make sure that everybody understands that everything that you hear from Glenn on Firepower is the amazing Glenn Tipton.”
Judas Priest will head out on tour across North America from mid-March in support of Firepower, which will launch on March 9th through Columbia Records.
Firepower track listing:
1. Firepower
2. Lightning Strike
3. Evil Never Dies
4. Never The Heroes
5. Necromancer
6. Children of the Sun
7. Guardians
8. Rising From Ruins
9. Flame Thrower
10. Spectre
11. Traitors Gate
12. No Surrender
13. Lone Wolf
14. Sea of Red
Judas Priest 2018 Firepower tour dates
Mar 13: Wilkes Barre Mohegan Sun Arena At Casey Plaza, PA
Mar 15: Youngstown Covelli Centre, OH
Mar 17: Uniondale Nassau Coliseum, NY
Mar 18: Washington The Anthem, DC
Mar 20: Newark Prudential Center, NJ
Mar 22: Uncasville Mogehan Sun Arena, CT
Mar 25: Ottawa The Arena At TD Place, ON
Mar 27: London Budweiser Gardens, ON
Mar 28: Oshawa Tribute Communities Centre, ON
Mar 30: Rama Casino Rama, ON
Mar 31: Detroit Masonic Temple, MI
Apr 3: Milwaukee Riverside Theater, WI
Apr 5: Green Bay Resch Center, WI
Apr 8: Bloomington Grossinger Motors Arena, IL
Apr 10: Casper Events Center, WY
Apr 11: Loveland Budweiser Events Center, CO
Apr 15: Kent ShoWare Center, WA
Apr 17: Portland Veterans Memorial Coliseum, OR
Apr 19: San Francisco The Warfield, CA
Apr 22: Los Angeles Microsoft Theatre, CA
Apr 24: Phoenix Comercia Theatre, AZ
Apr 26: Tulsa BOK Center, OK
Apr 28: Dallas Bomb Factory, TX
Apr 29: Sugarland Smart Financial Centre, TX
May 1: San Antonio Freeman Coliseum, TX
additional source: Classic Rock via teamrock.com
9 Responses
While I think it was necessary for a member of Judas Priest to publicly respond to KK’s comments, it’s pathetic that one of the greatest, iconic, metal bands of all time appears to be winding down amongst this drama. If KK felt the need to comment, I’d rather he took the “high road” rather than unleash accusations, true or not.
Not the best way to begin what many perceive to be the last Priest tour. I think I’ll listen to some Unleashed in the East now to erase the little tarnish developing on the Priest legacy…
Huge relief on this side of the computer; I am very happy to hear that it’s Glenn doing the guitars on Firepower, and I never would’ve doubted it for one second had it not been for KK’s comment. I’ve just been through too much with Priest to think otherwise; I know Glenn’s determination; he is the one who wrote and produced Priest after Rob left, I never would’ve fathomed him letting someone else cover for him on an album!!! Integrity restored…now, they can do what they want.
I’m happy Rob made the point about Glen playing all of his guitar parts on FIREPOWER. As I stated previously, I’m really disappointed about KK making the statements he did. Why couldn’t he just make a statement of support and love for Glen and his situation? If he seriously wanted to come back to the band for this tour, why couldn’t he have made this request privately? That is the way a professional person handles things like this. This sort of tells me that KK’s leaving may not have been a voluntary thing. There sure seems to be some hurt feelings involved on KK’s part. I just think that this sort of thing hurts the band’s image.
The parts I heard I knew were Glenn; that’s his style, his technique, and his writing, but then you read this stuff (what KK said, someone who you presume would know) and it just casts a cloud over everything. The notion that Glenn would have to defer to Sneap for ideas and playing is absurd to me. Sneap, if you ask me, was a fresh set of ears to add to the proceedings, not a dominant force. Also, perhaps he should’ve planned better but I don’t see him acting in bad faith. I know I’m a fan but his determination alone has me saying not touring was a last minute decision.
KK is a unique player because his roots in music are before hard rock and metal existed. Same with Glenn, Rob, and Ian. (Also, original Kiss). I miss KK a lot, and now Glenn too…it’s not the same band but it’s their organization and their livelihood so I wish them the best. I ordered Firepower and am glad I did now.
Who knew there was so much drama in the Priesthood. I’m used to this bullsh-t in the Kiss camp, and in the Van Halen world, unfortunately, but Priest? Well, at least now we have confirmation from the Metal God himself that Glenn did in fact play all his parts on Firepower, that’s a relief. Whatever the issues are with KK, that’s “Private Property,” and that’s where they should stay. We don’t want, or need to know everything, what you don’t know, can’t hurt you. Let’s just hope this doesn’t turn into another KISStory.