K.K. Downing feels Judas Priest different and “finished” once he wasn’t in the line-up

K.K. Downing feels Judas Priest different and “finished” once he wasn’t in the line-up

Current KK’s Priest and former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing was recently interviewed by Yiannis Dolas for Greece’s Rock Pages. Downing left Judas Priest back in 2011 and although he expressed interest in rejoining the band once guitarist Glenn Tipton announced that he would be unable to tour with the group due to suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, Downing has not been welcomed back.

In terms of what Judas Priest is lacking without original members on board, Downing indicated: “Judas Priest is different to me, because I am not in it. To me, it finished when I wasn’t there. The band is a different band now and that’s great. But, I am sure there is lots of people who remember the band, the traditional Priest as it was when we were really on fire, storming across the world. I think Richie [Faulkner] playing Glenn’s [Tipton] solos from “Firepower” album is… I don’t know why Andy [Sneap] is not playing any of those parts. I think the two guitars paid off and I miss the solos. Obviously, on this album [Sermons of The Sinner] there is an abundance of guitar playing, solos and stuff. And I like that and of course I get to play more on this album. I should have played more in Priest. I should have put my foot down and said: “Glenn, I need to play more solos, because I can”. So, now I can, which is great. So, I see Richie playing my solos and Glenn’s solos. I know that Andy was a rhythm player in his own band before [he is referring to the band Hell], and I liked that band. I know Kevin [Bower] was the lead player, but he sustained an injury unfortunately, but I like that band, I think it’s really cool.”

With respect to whether things would be the same if he returned to the Judas Priest line-up just like it was when Rob Halford returned to the band in 2003, Downing stated: “Absolutely, I am sure it would. The thing is that the guys never gave me the opportunity to come up and meet, which I offered, before sending lawyers up to me. I said “listen, let me come down, sit around the table, have a chat about things”, but they didn’t want to do that. So, they said they are happy the way that they are. One thing is for sure, they were the ones that told the world, the media and the fans that I retired. Now, if that’s true why wouldn’t let me out of retirement if that’s the only relevant thing? If there is no one there, gremlins or things there, no other issues, why don’t they let me out of retirement when there was an opportunity? Why wouldn’t they pick up the phone and say “you fancy doing it again?””

You can read the rest of the interview with K.K. Downing at Rock Pages‘ website and/or listen to the interview below: