Ian Hill Thinks Judas Priest’s Rock Hall Performance with K.K. Downing Could Help Them Make Nice
LIfe’s short, especially when you’ve already lived to be in your 70s. That’s part of the reason why Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill said in a recent interview with the Detroit Metro Times that he thinks it could help the band and estranged guitarist K.K. Downing mend things between them.
“I think time is not on our side for that, you know? Never say never, put it like that. [Downing’s] gonna be there at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame anyway. He’s gonna get up and play some songs with us there. It might kickstart something; I don’t know. On the other hand, he might pull us all apart. [Laughs]”
Downing was one of the longest running members of Judas Priest, having been there essentially since the beginning. His tenure with the band ended in 2011, which he attributed to internal conflicts within the band, poor management, and what he believed to be a declining quality of the band’s live show. He reportedly left the band by sending two resignation letters – one that was even keeled and professional and another one that was “angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties.”
Ever since, Downing’s been vocal about the band and its decisions, including the short-lived idea that they would tour as a four-piece. What may have been the biggest snubs in Downing’s eyes were the band’s decision not to include him in the 50th anniversary tour and their decision not to call on him to fill the touring vacancy left by Glenn Tipton’s decision to retire.
Still, both parties are hopeful that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction goes smoothly. Earlier this month, Downing said he was excited to join the band on stage along with another former member, drummer Les Binks.
“It’ll go by in a flash, won’t it? I think we’ve probably got eight or nine minutes. I’m not even going to be able to break a sweat. The main thing is to represent the attitude and hopefully the legend of what Judas Priest is and has become and what it means to everybody who’s been on that very long journey through the decades with the band. And hopefully, it will just kind of remind people and bring back some cherished memories of the heavy metal parking lots all around the world.”
So who knows? Maybe this silly squabble between two sides of a legendary coin can finally come to an end. Or it will blow up spectacularly. Only time will tell.
