In a new chat with Conny Schiffbauer of Germany’s WDR Rockpalast, K.K. Downing revealed he is open to a Judas Priest reunion if paid well.
When the interviewer asked if he would join the band for a single concert at a big festival, the guitarist replied:
“Well, let me see the check [Laughs]. It would have to be very, very big. No. I’m happy. I’m content. I humbly approached the guys a couple of years ago and said, ‘Look, what do you think about me being back? You’re thinking about being a four-piece and doing stuff.’ And they said, ‘No.’ And so that’s it. It’s closure, I guess — which, it’s sad.”
Downing left Judas Priest in 2011, due to ongoing issues with the band and management. He mentioned there were many reasons for his departure but didn’t give specifics, though he was unhappy with the band’s live performances. Richie Faulkner has since replaced him in the band. He played with Priest at the 2022 Rock And Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Los Angeles.
Ian Hill Closed The Door For Downing’s Return
Still, Judas Priest’s Ian Hill said in a March conversation with Greg Prato of AllMusic that Downing likely missed his chance to rejoin the band. Hill mentioned that attempts to reconnect with Downing were ignored, so he believes Downing won’t be returning. He stated:
“I think he’s gone a bit too far for that now. I gave him a couple of chances to basically say hello, and he blanked me. So, he ain’t going to get another chance. It’s a pity the way it’s turned out. But things are what they are.”
On the other hand, in a September 2023 interview with Rock of Nations With Dave Kinchen And Shane McEachern, Downing talked about his side of the story. He said he tried to rejoin Judas Priest but got turned down. He mentioned Hill’s role in this decision:
“Honestly, the worst thing about the whole thing is that Ian has denied me the opportunity to step back into the band. I mean, we went to kindergarten together; we were like brothers. And we spent many years at the back of the bus complaining about everybody else [Laughs]. I always thought it was me and him for many years.”
The guitarist also previously said that he decided to join Judas Priest’s Hall of Fame performance in Los Angeles because he didn’t want to regret missing the chance to play with the band he started fifty years ago.