Guitarist K.K. Downing and Judas Priest parted ways in 2010, and ever since the two camps have gone back-and-forth over what really led to the split. 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.”
It’s been 10 years of weirdness, really. I don’t know what it would take to patch that up. It’s been a bit unnecessary. Obviously, it goes without saying, if Ken ever came back, I’d be willing to move over or do whatever it takes. It’s Judas Priest. I’d be willing to get out or move over or wear a funny hat — or whatever it needs to do. But as I said, it’s not my relationship to take care of, really.
Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner
Current Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner, who replaced Downing more than a decade ago, was asked by The Metal Voice what it would take for the band and Downing to patch things up and reunite. “I don’t know. It’s not my relationship,” Faulkner said. “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.”
Faulkner continued that “it’s been 10 years of weirdness, really. I don’t know what it would take to patch that up. It’s been a bit unnecessary. And I said this the other week, really, and I hate to repeat myself, but they were brothers for 40 years. And I think, music aside, pick up the phone and have a chat, have a pint down the pub and just catch up and be buddies again more than anything else. But as I said before, it’s not my relationship to nurture, really; it’s up to them to handle. Obviously, it goes without saying, if Ken ever came back, I’d be willing to move over or do whatever it takes. It’s Judas Priest. I’d be willing to get out or move over or wear a funny hat — or whatever it needs to do. But as I said, it’s not my relationship to take care of, really.”
Downing still laments not being asked to return to the band when it was announced that Glenn Tipton was battling Parkinson’s disease. “If I had retired, why shouldn’t I be allowed to step back out of retirement?” Downing asked. “Bands always come out of retirement. Guys always leave bands and rejoin … I feel as though I was ousted out of the band.”
