K.K. Downing (left) & Glenn Tipton (right) grace the July 1983 cover of Guitar World.
(Image via: NYCDreamin Archives)
Judas Priest issued the following press release earlier today announcing the surprising and immediate departure of founding guitarist K.K. Downing.
It is with regret that Judas Priest announce that K.K. Downing has formally retired from the band and will therefore not be joining them on their forthcoming "Epitaph" tour.
The band respect his decision and naturally all wish him well.
Having thought long and hard about how to proceed, Rob, Glenn, Ian and Scott unanimously agreed that they should go ahead with the tour and not let the fans down all around the world.
Fate also stepped in and delivered the perfect replacement - 31 year old British guitar player Richie Faulkner - he has blended into the band perfectly and is a great talent who is going to help set the stage on fire!
The Epitaph tour will includes songs from every Priest studio album and also tracks they have never before performed on stage plus all the old favorites!
With a new album due to be released next year, the Metal Gods are preparing to tour the planet once more - Heavy Metal at it's best complete with lazers, lights, bikes and Hellfire! It's a show not to be missed!!
UPDATE: 04/21/11
K.K. has issued a statement regarding his departure from the band...
"Dear friends,
It is with much regret that I will not be with you this summer.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your concerns about my health. Please rest assured that I am OK.
There has been an ongoing breakdown in working relationship between myself, elements of the band, and the band's management for some time. Therefore I have decided to step down rather than to tour with negative sentiments as I feel that this would be a deception to you, our cherished fans. However, I would urge you to please support the PRIEST as I have no doubt that it will be a show not to be missed.
All my love and respect."
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