Former Judas Priest guitarist and founding member, K.K. Downing, has formed a new band called KK’s Priest.
The brainchild of K.K. Downing himself, KK’s Priest also features two other former Judas Priest members – Tim “Ripper” Owens on vocals and Les Binks on drums.
Tim “Ripper” Owens replaced Rob Halford as Judas Priest vocalist in 1996 and lent his vocals to two studio albums, Jugulator (1997) and ‘Demolition’ (2001), before Halford returned to the group in 2003.
Drummer Les Binks had a three-year tenure with Judas Priest in the late seventies and appeared on the studio albums ‘Stained Class’ (1978) and ‘Killing Machine’ (1978), and the live album ‘Unleashed in the East’ (1979).
Completing the KK’s Priest line-up are Tony Newton (Voodoo Six) on bass, and A.J. Mills (Hostile) on guitar.
The heavy metal quintet are currently locked up in the studio working hard on their debut album, which will be released worldwide by Explorer1 Music Group as a part of a partnership deal that K.K Downing penned earlier this year.
KK’s Priest will embark on an extensive tour around the globe taking in festivals and headline shows to celebrate Judas Priest’s 50th anniversary. In a similar vein to Dio offshoots Last In Line, KK’s Priest will perform a mixture of original material and Judas Priest classics.
Enthusing about his new project, K.K. Downing said: “Forging ahead with KK’s Priest was not only inevitable, but was essential for me to perform and deliver everything that is expected from me and KK’s Priest.
“Due to the massive demand and overwhelming support from fans around the world, I feel this is where I belong, and a set combining the true, classic songs and sound of Priest, together with great, newly forged metal tracks, is what fans can expect when KK’s Priest takes to stages around the world.”
K.K. Downing performed live for the first time in a decade at Bloodstock Open Air in August 2019, when he joined Ross The Boss on stage for a series of Judas Priest classics.
Three months later he played a very special show at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton with Megadeth’s David Ellefson, and Les Binks and Tim “Ripper” Owens. Such was the rapturous reaction to that gig, KK’s Priest was born.
Watch their cover of ‘The Green Manalishi’ from that gig here:
After 42 years with the band, K.K. Downing quit Judas Priest in April 2011 citing “an on-going breakdown in working relationships between myself, elements of the band and management.”
In February 2018 he released a statement on Facebook saying he was “shocked and stunned” that he wasn’t invited to rejoin Judas Priest when Glenn Tipton announced his retirement from touring due to the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
This prompted a backlash from Rob Halford, who called the comments “completely superfluous.”
Promoting his autobiography ‘Heavy Duty: Days and Nights in Judas Priest’ last year, Downing slammed his former Judas Priest band mates numerous times in interviews.
He told Issue 10 of Planet Rock Magazine: “The whole thing is unfortunate, because whatever I say sounds like sour grapes… But I’m afraid it’s got to be said.”
In April 2018, Downing recently put his name to the Wolverhampton music venue KK’s Steel Mill and later that summer he sold his share of royalty rights to 136 Judas Priest songs.
Explore eil.com & 991.com sister – the world’s best online store for rare, collectable & out of print Vinyl Records, CDs & Music memorabilia since 1987.
EIL.COM Favourite Music Update Rare CDs, CD Singles, Rare Records, Vinyl Records, Albums and Music
- Judas Priest - Living After Midnight - EX - UK - 12" vinyl - £10.00, $12.90, €11.90 (Back In Stock) (arrived 01-Nov-2024 18:00)on November 2, 2024 at 3:17 am
JUDAS PRIEST Living After Midnight (1980 UK limited edition 3-track 12" vinyl single, also including live versions of Delivering The Goods and Evil Fantasies recorded in Japan. The lightweight picture sleeve remains in the open shrink, which has caused some waving effect. The vinyl is Excellent with light signs of play)
- Judas Priest - Turbo Lover (Extended Version) - UK - 12" vinyl - £15.00, $19.35, €17.85 (New Item) (arrived 30-Oct-2024 18:00)on November 2, 2024 at 3:17 am
JUDAS PRIEST Turbo Lover (1986 UK 12" vinyl single featuring the Extended Version, also including Hot For Love, picture sleeve. The sleeve does show some light ringwear and edge scuffing, but the vinyl is Excellent with just the odd light cosmetic scuff. - a great play copy TA7048)
- Judas Priest - Some Heads Are Gonna Roll - UK - 12" vinyl - £15.00, $19.35, €17.85 (New Item) (arrived 30-Oct-2024 14:51)on November 2, 2024 at 3:17 am
JUDAS PRIEST Some Heads Are Gonna Roll (1984 UK 3-track 12" vinyl single, also including Green Manalishi [Live] and Jawbreaker, picture sleeve. The sleeve has some light storage wear, but the vinyl remains in Excellent condition TA4298)
- Judas Priest - Hot Rockin' - UK - 12" vinyl - £12.00, $15.48, €14.28 (New Item) (arrived 30-Oct-2024 14:58)on November 2, 2024 at 3:17 am
JUDAS PRIEST Hot Rockin' (1981 UK 3-track 12" vinyl single with picture label, also including live versions of Breaking The Law & Living After Midnight recorded in February 1981, custom stickered die-cut sleeve. Aside from a few very light paper scuffs, the vinyl is in excellent condition CBSA121153)
- Judas Priest - Freewheel Burning - UK - 12" vinyl - £25.00, $32.25, €29.75 (New Item) (arrived 30-Oct-2024 15:03)on November 2, 2024 at 3:17 am
JUDAS PRIEST Freewheel Burning (1983 UK 3-track 12" vinyl single, also includes Breaking The Law and Another Thing Comin', both recorded live at the US Festival Heavy Metal Day at Glen Helen Regional Park, San Bernardino, CA on 29 May. Housed in a picture sleeve TA4054)
Be the first to comment