The relationship between ex-Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing and his former bandmates has been contentious since his departure. Both sides have gone back-and-forth over what went down when they parted ways in 2010. Downing clarified the circumstances that led to his departure saying that the initial announcement that he was retiring “was a myth. That’s complete misinformation. And this is why I’m so unhappy with the rest of the guys in Judas Priest, because they told you and all the fans something that’s complete misinformation. But they only told you that because they don’t wanna get into the details.” Current Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner responded: “I think it goes beyond the music. There’s some stuff there that’s obviously personal, and it’s not my fight; it’s not my relationship. I think if it was purely music or business, then maybe it could be a money thing or it could be a creative thing, but I think it goes beyond that. And it’s up to the guys, really — it’s up to the guys to sort of find out what that is, or not. They don’t have to — there’s no obligation for them. It’s up to them.I’ve said it before, if it had ended differently, we might be in a different situation now,” he continued. But that’s just not the way it ended and that’s not where we are now.”
On Wednesday, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced that after more than two decades of being eligible, Judas Priest will be inducted later this year. So naturally, questions arose as to how the band would handle the honor in terms of having Downing present at the ceremony. Halford said former members of the band are welcome to be part of the induction: “They have every right to be a part of the event,” he said. “I’m very pleased for everybody. There’s no bitterness. There’s no angst. There’s not that kind of stuff that’s lingering. If there is you have to push all that away. You have to push it to the side and just understand and accept and respect this wonderful opportunity and what it represents in terms of recognition and a celebration.”
Downing was asked by Eonmusic what might happen at the Nov. 5 ceremony in Los Angeles. “I thought about it briefly, when we were nominated, what would happen,” he said. “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 also commented on the honor in an interview with Danny Stoakes saying: “It brings about a completeness to a career after so long. It’s no secret, we’re all men of an age now — I’m 70 — and you start to look back. Together with winning several nominations and achieving a Grammy and the same thing happening now with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I think it’s job done.”
