Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Guitarist reveals his departure was caused by breakdown in relationship as band hint they could reconsider plans to stop touring
Painkiller: Downing opted out after relations strained
KK Downing quit Judas Priest over a breakdown in the relationship between his bandmates and management, he has revealed.
And the metal gods have hinted that, now the guitarist has gone, they may reconsider plans to end their touring career.
He took his bandmates by surprise when he told them he was leaving in December, causing them to announce that their upcoming world tour would be their last. A day later they clarified their position, saying they’d continue to record, but their life on the road was coming to an end.
It seems Downing’s position may have been a large factor in the band’s decision-making process – and now he’s decided to leave without playing the Epitaph tour, there’s a chance the rest of Priest will keep touring.
Following the band’s statement about his departure, Downing says: “It is much regret that I will not be with you this summer. But there has been an ongoing breakdown in working relationship between myself, elements of the band, and the band’s management for some time.
“Therefore I have decided to step down rather than tour with negative sentiments. I feel it would be a deception to you, our cherished fans.”
He explains his decision was not motivated by ill-health, adding: “Please rest assured I’m okay, but thank you from the bottom of my heart for your concerns.
“I’d urge you to support the Priest – I have no doubt it will be a show not to be missed.”
Singer Rob Halford admits Downing’s move upset him. He tells Hard Rock: “He told us before Christmas. I thought it could be the end. Emotionally, for me, it’s been very difficult.
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“But it was his own decision, for the reasons he’s made public. He has his own life to live and we can’t force him to do anything he doesn’t wants to do.”
The frontman reveals they hoped he’d reconsider: “We kept the door open all this time in case he changed his mind. But the clock was ticking.”
Meanwhile, drummer Scott Travis has put a question-mark over Priest’s retirement from touring. He says: “It’s never an easy decision to replace any long-time member, but the fans want us to continue, we want to continue, and we have to go on. I think we’ll go on as long as we want to.”
The band will complete the Epitaph tour with Lauren Harris’ guitarist Richie Faulkner. Halford reveals: “KK can never be replaced, and we didn’t want any kind of copycat. Richie went to Glenn’s house to jam, and Glenn told us he was absolutely brilliant.”
Credited with introducing the leather-and-studs look to heavy metal, Judas Priest formed in 1969. They’ve seen a total of 15 members pass through the band, of which eight have been drummers, and of which Downing and bassist Ian Hill were the only two founding members still in residence. They’ve released 16 studio albums in their 42-year career and after the Epitaph tour they’ll start work on a new record, due out in 2012.
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