In a recent interview with Conny Schiffbauer of Germany’s WDR Rockpalast, former Judas Priest guitarist Kenneth “K.K.” Downing discussed the possibility of reuniting with his former band for a one-off performance at a major festival.
The 72-year-old guitarist, who has not performed with Judas Priest since 2011, offered a candid response (as transcribed by Blabbermouth): “Well, let me see the check. [Laughs] It would have to be very, very big. No. I’m happy. I’m content. I humbly approached the guys a couple of years ago and said, ‘Look, what do you think about me being back? You’re thinking about being a four-piece and doing stuff.’ And they said, ‘No.’ And so that’s it. It’s closure, I guess — which, it’s sad.”
Schiffbauer likened Downing‘s split from Judas Priest to a marital breakdown, expressing disappointment that the guitarist and his former bandmates couldn’t remain friends. Downing reflected on the situation, saying: “Yeah, it’s all a bit weird, and I don’t understand it. Obviously, the fans seem to understand it, but I don’t know if they understand the details, really.”
This past March, Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill was interviewed by Greg Prato of AllMusic. When asked if he still had contact with Downing and if he would consider working with him again, Hill responded: “I think he’s gone a bit too far for that now. I gave him a couple of chances to basically say hello, and he blanked me. So, he ain’t going to get another chance. It’s a pity the way it’s turned out. But things are what they are.”
Despite the tensions, Downing did perform with Judas Priest at the 2022 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in Los Angeles.
