K.K. Downing decided to retire from Judas Priest in 2011 but as the guitarist says he regretted no long after and the band reportedly didn’t accepted him back. In 2020 he decided to come out of retirement and created KK’s Priest alongside the ex-Judas vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens and will released this year their second studio album.
In an interview with Metal Hammer, K.K. Downing talked about Judas Priest and says he doesn’t believe he will perform with them again. He was on stage with his ex-bandmates for the first time in more than a decade in 2022 when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
K.K. Downing doesn’t believe he will play with Judas Priest again
“Before I started KK’s Priest, I asked if they’d consider me stepping back into my rightful place, because at one point they announced they were going out as a four-piece. I was expecting to be back in the band when there was an opening, or at least to be asked. But Glenn (Tipton) and Ian (Hill) wrote through their lawyers saying a flat no, which made no sense, as I was there first.”
“And Rob (Halford) left for 11 years, so how does he have the right to say ‘I won’t consider you rejoining’? I was instrumental in reinstating him into the band. Glenn wasn’t interested in having Rob back. He wanted to keep Ripper. But I gave them one last chance, and I was, like, ‘Are you sure? One day you might live to regret it.’ Let’s hope they don’t,” K.K. Downing said.
Next tour dates
To promote the new album, KK’s Priest already has scheduled tour dates in the United Kingdom and Mexico.
October (With Paul Di’Anno)
- 7 – Birmingham – 02 Institute
- 8 – Glasgow – SWG3
- 10 – Nottingham – Rock City
- 11 – Manchester – 02 Ritz
- 12 – London – O2 Shepperd’s Bush Empire
December
2,– Mexico City, MX – Life After Death Horror Fest
March (2024)
2-7, 2024 – Monsters of Rock Cruise