Check out video of former JUDAS PRIEST and current KK’s PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing celebrating the iconic “Defenders Of The Faith” album
Former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Kenneth “K.K.” Downing has uploaded a new video to his social media where he discusses the band’s classic album “Defenders Of The Faith”. In the clip, which can be seen below, the 72-year-old musician states (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Hello, everyone. It’s K.K. here, just checking in, because today is a very special day. It is exactly 40 years since the release of this record here, ‘Defenders Of The Faith’. Anybody remember that?
“For those who were around at the time, yeah, it was 1984. We were recording this — let me see — the mainstay of it was in Spain and then we moved to Florida to do some more recording and mixing. I remember it well. We had a great time, and little did we know — little did I know — I think this is probably one of my favorite albums. We’ve got on here ‘Freewheel Burning’, ‘Jawbreaker’, ‘Rock Hard, Ride Free’, ‘The Sentinel’, and it goes on. Yeah, killer first four tracks — really full-on metal.”
He continues: “But anyway, you guys, I just wanted to say a big hello and congratulate the album, ‘Defenders Of The Faith’. It made it 40 years.
“And, yeah, but let me know. I’m trying to think what are my favorite tracks here, but what are your favorite tracks? Let us know. Drop us a line on Instagram, Facebook. And hopefully I’ll see you guys in another 10 years, and we’ll do exactly the same with the 50th anniversary. Until then, see you soon. Keep it metal, and rock hard, ride free.”
JUDAS PRIEST‘s 1984 release “Defenders Of The Faith,” which earned platinum certification, gave rise to enduring headbanging classics such as “Freewheel Burning,” “Jawbreaker,” “The Sentinel,” “Some Heads Are Gonna Roll,” and “Love Bites.”
In March 2015, an expanded three-CD edition of “Defenders Of The Faith” hit the shelves via Columbia/Legacy. This release, overseen by producer Tom Allom, featured a remastered version of the original ten-track album, and a comprehensive live recording from the “Defenders” tour. The live performance was captured at the Long Beach Arena in California on May 5, 1984.
K.K. Downing‘s departure from PRIEST in 2011, citing conflicts within the band, management issues, and a perceived decline in performance quality, led to his replacement by Richie Faulkner, who was nearly three decades younger.
In 2019, Downing expressed his desire to participate in JUDAS PRIEST‘s 50th-anniversary tour, but the band indicated they were uninterested in including him in the celebrations.
Back in 2018, Downing disclosed that he had sent two resignation letters to his bandmates upon deciding to leave JUDAS PRIEST. The first letter conveyed a graceful exit, implying a smooth retirement from music, while the second was more impassioned, articulating his frustrations with specific individuals.
Downing later surmised that the tone of the second letter might have been a key factor in not being invited to rejoin PRIEST after Glenn Tipton‘s decision to retire from touring.
Speaking with Chaoszine in a recent interview, Downing was asked about his experience reuniting with his former band at the 2022 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. He responded: “Well, I was kind of debating whether to go, whether to go there and do it or not because of all the circumstances. Plus, it was a long way to go. [Laughs]”
Touching on former JUDAS PRIEST drummer Les Binks, who also performed at the ceremony: “[PRIEST‘s] manager told us that we were guests of the band — me and Les. I’m going, ‘Fuck off.’ If anything, I’m a guest of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but I’m there to accept my own award in my own right. I’m not a guest of anybody. And then they were gonna dictate the songs and what was gonna [be] play[ed]. So I said, ‘Oh, fuck. Should I bother doing this?’ You know what I mean? ‘Can I be really bothered?’
And then people were saying, ‘You’ve gotta go. It’ll never happen again, obviously, in your lifetime. You deserve this.’ And anyway, so I decided, ‘Okay, I’ll go.’ But, obviously, we were kept separated and not allowed to walk the red carpet together, which is all very sad, but that’s the way that they wanted it.”
“Even right up until the performance, I wasn’t sure,” Downing admitted. “I kept saying to myself, ‘Am I doing the right thing here? Is this really heavy metal? I’m with a bunch of guys that fucking hate me.’ I’m looking at Ed Sheeran. I’m looking at Dolly Parton. I’m thinking, ‘Fuck it. Am I in the right place? Is it all a dream?’ [Laughs] I’m thinking, ‘Oh, what the hell? Just grab the guitar and do it and get to the pub.’ And that’s what I did. I came off stage, put my clothes on, went straight back to the hotel bar and I had some beers and it was great.”
K.K. also revealed that he did have a brief exchange with JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford at the event. “Rob came over to me, and I [initially] didn’t wanna speak to him, because he left the band for 14 years and I was instrumental in reinstating him back in the band, having him back in,” Downing said. “And then he tells me that I can’t rejoin the band. How does that work? I don’t know how that works.”
According to K.K., “it’s [PRIEST guitarist] Glenn [Tipton] and [PRIEST‘s longtime manager] Jayne [Andrews] who make all the decisions [for the band], and, I hate to say it, but Rob is just… I really think that… The only reason I spoke to Rob [at the Rock Hall] is because I think he’s being controlled. That’s the only reason. I don’t believe that Rob voted not to have me [back] in [PRIEST]. I think he was forced to. I think Rob would have voted me in. But it was their choice. And now Richie‘s off doing his own thing with [his side project] ELEGANT WEAPONS and everything. So it’s not looking great for him, really, is it?”
JUDAS PRIEST received the Musical Excellence Award at the 2022 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, which inducted Eminem, Dolly Parton, DURAN DURAN, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.
The members of JUDAS PRIEST to be inducted were current members Halford, Ian Hill (bass),Tipton and Scott Travis (drums) as well as former members Downing, Binks and late drummer Dave Holland.
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