What K.K. Downing Thinks of Judas Priest’s Richie Faulkner

For anybody pondering there is likely to be some discord between Judas Priest’s former guitarist K.K. Downing and his alternative Richie Faulkner (who took over in 2011), Downing says it is simply not true. In a brand new interview with Metal Talk, Downing shares he has “nothing however respect” for Faulkner.

Downing opened as much as the outlet about Judas Priest’s latest induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in early November, when the band earned the Musical Excellence Award, recognizing an unbelievable 50-plus 12 months run.

Making the night time further particular was the truth that Downing (and former drummer Les Binks) had been in a position to reunite with their former bandmates for the ceremony, held on the Microsoft Theatre in L.A. Along with being current for the award, Downing joined Faulkner and Binks in addition to vocalist Rob Halford, guitarist Glenn Tipton, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis for a three-song efficiency of the band’s hits “You have Bought One other Factor Comin’,” “Breaking The Legislation” and “Dwelling After Midnight.”

Downing advised Metallic Discuss he initially was reluctant to simply accept the invitation to the Rock Corridor occasion however finally agreed. “Initially, I believed it’s lots of fuss. Can I actually be bothered with going all the best way over to Los Angeles to play three songs and break the ice with the blokes? However once I mirrored on it, it was the band I began 50 years in the past, and I might in all probability remorse it if I didn’t go. So I accepted the invitation.”

All of the band members had been seated on the identical desk, which supplied Downing the prospect to “break bread” (in his phrases) with Halford and Hill. He additionally advised Metallic Discuss he was in a position to meet up with Tipton and had an excellent dialog with Binks, however it was his chat with Faulkner that’s eye-opening.

“I managed to have a chat with him, and we shared the stage and even jammed collectively,” Downing recalled. “It might have been awkward, however it wasn’t. I’ve nothing however respect for him, and I do know he’s engaged on different initiatives outdoors Priest, and I want him properly.” Downing then joked, “The one doubtlessly awkward moments had been as a result of I like lots of room and have all the time raced across the stage, and we needed to keep away from one another!”

Downing additionally conceded that, past accepting the invitation to the Rock Corridor reunion, there was just one thing more to determine. “The one choice, regardless of my preliminary transient reservation, was which Flying V guitar I took with me … and wouldn’t it survive the flight.”

Fans were delighted to see the reunion, with many posting sentiments on social media reminiscent of “All hail the Priest! Excited to see the reunion with Okay.Okay. Downing yesterday” and Good to see KK and Richie aspect by aspect , thrilling efficiency 🔥❤️.”

The reunion might have been the pivotal step of granting Faulkner’s personal want that Downing and the remainder of the unique members of the band resume their friendship after some allegations and slandering have been made public previously.

As Faulkner shared earlier this 12 months on the “In The Trenches with Ryan Roxie” podcast, “That entire scenario with him and the band during the last 10 years, to me, has been completely pointless; it has been a little bit of a shit present,” he mentioned. “And I do not know why that’s. To me, music apart, they need to possibly decide up the cellphone and simply discuss to one another as buddies … They had been friends for 40 years. They lived just about collectively for 40 years.”