Former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing spoke with Eonmusic earlier today about the legendary British band finally being inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
This year, JUDAS PRIEST will receive the Musical Excellence Award at the event, which is set to induct Eminem, Dolly Parton, DURAN DURAN, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.
Downing said of the honor: “Yeah, it’s one of those things, I think; it was like the Grammy; when you get nominated that amount of times and don’t win, when you actually do win, it takes the edge off it a bit, because you’ve failed a lot of times. But it’s better to score the goal at the end of the game. Laughs]”
When asked if it feels like “a real triumph” that he will be able to stand with his “brothers in music” to receive the long overdue award, Downing replied: “I’m not sure, really. I hadn’t thought about that. Is that going to happen? Is it? I think it’s November, and a lot can happen between now and then, mate.”
When asked on the possibility of actually performing with JUDAS PRIEST at the event, Downing said: “I thought about it briefly, when we were nominated, what would happen. But like I say, it’s November and a lot of things can happen between now and then, especially with men of an age like us. But I think it’s just a question of seeing how everything lies when it comes to them, really, because a lot of things can happen between now and then — a lot of things could get better, but they could get worse, or stay the same. You never know, do you?”
Downing was also asked what being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame means to him personally, to which he replied: “I’m particularly delighted because as far as I know, the nominees when we failed last time were me, Glenn [Tipton, guitar], Ian [Hill, bass] and Rob [Halford, vocals], and Scott [Travis, drums], and [former members] Les Binks and Dave Holland. In that case, I’m really quite delighted for my buddies, really; Les and Dave, bless him, even though he’s not here [Dave passed away on 16th January 2018). Obviously, a lot of cherished memories, a lot of gigs together, you know. They were an integral part for a long time. Dave did a lot — from ‘British Steel’ [1980] onwards, and when you think about it, it’s quite a while, through to ‘Ram It Down’ [1988], through the period of the wonderful decade of the Eighties. It was the glory times. Like I say, I’m pleased for Dave, and Les, really. Les was there on those important albums as well.”
The award for Musical Excellence is given to artists, musicians, songwriters and producers whose originality and influence have had a dramatic impact on music.
JUDAS PRIEST is the second band to receive the award for Musical Excellence; the E STREET BAND were the first who received the award in 2014.
The induction ceremony will be held on November 5, 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. It will air at a later date on HBO and stream on HBO Max.