Former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing recently had an interview with Metal Hammer, addressing speculations about him rejoining the band after he joined them on stage at the Hall of Fame Induction in November 2022. Downing described his position in the band as ‘rightful’ and mentioned his expectations from the other members:
“Before I started K.K.’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.”
He further mentioned how Glenn Tipton and Rob Halford responded and implied that Halford shouldn’t have gotten a say in the matter:
“Glenn and Ian [Hill, bassist] wrote through their lawyers saying a flat no, which made no sense, as I was there first. And Rob left for 11 years so how does he have the right to say ‘I won’t consider you re-joining’ – I was instrumental in reinstating him into the band!”
Downing also shared his opinion about what he thinks Glenn wanted and stated he hopes the band won’t regret their decisions in the future:
“Glenn wasn’t interested in having Rob back, he wanted to keep Ripper [Tim Owens, who replaced Rob Halford in Priest when the latter left in the 90s]. 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.”
These discussions were prolonged and neither the band members nor their management were kind regarding the matter. In 2022, Glenn responded to K.K.’s ‘accusations’ and stated that K.K. wasn’t being honest, or fair:
“It’s time to say something, really because he’s saying things that he really shouldn’t be saying. They aren’t fair. He’s insinuated that he was the driving force of the band. It just isn’t true. Priest [is] made up of five guys working together. [There’s] not just one person driving the band. He’s said all these things that, I think, are meant to upset us and get us to say something in response and for a long time we didn’t. But I’ve got a lot to say and enough’s enough.”
In 2019, Rob Halford was asked about Downing’s return and he gave an ambiguous answer, claiming he didn’t want to raise any expectations:
“It is such an emotionally charged question. It’s like ‘Why isn’t Ace back in KISS?’ I think what will happen will happen. I know that’s kind of a nebulous response. I like to be as honest as I possibly can. I think being honest is a pretty good way to live your life, and I don’t want to send mixed messages.”
