K.K. Downing, former guitarist of Judas Priest, wished Ian Hill well after the bassist’s departure, but noted that Hill had not backed his own return to the band a few years ago.
“`Downing, who founded Judas Priest together with Hill, was asked about it on the 14 October episode of SiriusXM’s «Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk». Hill announced his departure on 9 October, with immediate effect, after 57 years.
«It was far too many years for everyone. Ian had a great and very successful career», he said, according to what Blabbermouth reported.
He did say that the moment is awkward for him: «It’s a shame Ian didn’t take me back when Glenn Tipton stepped away from touring. I would be there now, even if he isn’t».
Downing left Judas Priest in 2011 and was replaced by Richie Faulkner, and he formed KK’s Priest after the band turned down his offer to come back for the 50th anniversary tour. Tipton stopped touring in 2018 because of Parkinson’s and is replaced on stage by producer Andy Sneap.
He confirmed that he and Hill effectively started the band: he was playing in a trio with his cousin Brian Badhams and called Ian in when they were left without a singer, while the name Judas Priest came from the old outfit of Al Atkins, who knocked on the door of their rehearsal room.
Eddie Trunk remarked that Downing and Rob Halford are now the only members of the classic line-up still touring. Downing, 74, said KK’s Priest have a heavy schedule ahead of them.
KK’s Priest are in North America as special guests of W.A.S.P. («1984 To Headless»), with a final stop in Anaheim on 31 October. The band have put out a new version of «Never Satisfied», which Downing wrote with Atkins for 1974’s «Rocka Rolla».
Hill described the injury that ended his career: a torn tendon in his shoulder at a show in Brussels in September, on top of advanced arthritis. He missed the last live date of the «Faithkeepers» European tour in London on 21 September, the first Judas Priest concert without him; he was replaced by Uriah Heep’s Davey Rimmer, who joins the band in 2027.
See also: Ian Hill retires from Judas Priest after 57 years, citing arthritis and Judas Priest – Painkiller: The 1990 Album That Redefined Heavy Metal Speed.
Source: https://blabbermouth.net/news/k-k-downing-on-ian-hills-retirement-from-judas-priest-i-wish-him-well-and-all-the-best-for-the-future
