K.K. Downing

Latest about K.K. Downing

Tailgunner [L-R]: Bones, Rhea Thompson, Craig Cairns, Zach Salvini and Eddie Mariotti
Tailgunner address sexual abuse allegations against their bassist

By Janelle Borg Published

The fast-rising heavy metal band – mentored by ex-Judas Priest veteran K.K. Downing – have faced the departure of their guitarist, Rhea Thompson, and abuse allegations against bassist Thomas Hewson

Bands
A portrait of K.K. Downing and Tailgunner under deep blue and pink stagelights.
How K.K. Downing ended up working with fast-rising British metal stars Tailgunner

By Amit Sharma Published

The Metal God lent his omniscience to the control room as the English metallers committed their latest full-length rager, Midnight Blitz, to tape

Guitarists
Billy Corgan performs live with Smashing Pumpkins
Billy Corgan on what drives guitar heroes to change their tone – and how it led him to package his sound in a pedal

By Michael Astley-Brown Published

The Smashing Pumpkins guitar icon reflects on a tonal journey four decades in the making, what pushes him to make signature gear like the new Laney Supergrace affordable, and why he’s the most excited he’s been to make a guitar album in 25 years

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Guitarists
K.K. Downing [left] plays his white Flying V, and Black Sabbath's Ozzy and Tony Iommi share a moment onstage in 1978.
K.K. Downing on coming up with fellow metal gods Black Sabbath in Birmingham, and why no-one can play like Tony Iommi

By Andrew Daly Published

They are from the same city, sharing a similar mission, and this weekend they will gather for one last push for metal as the former Judas Priest man steps onstage to celebrate Black Sabbath

Guitarists
K.K. Downing
“This is one more shot at glory for me. I know the things I’ve been denied. I shouldn’t have to build it up all over again”: K.K. Downing on reclaiming his legacy with KK’s Priest – and what his one-off reunion with Judas Priest was really like

By Jon Wiederhorn Published

The original “Sinner” takes you behind the scenes of his dramas in and out of Priest and their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction – and why his turbo-charged new album is “about the fight and the victory”

Guitarists
K.K. Downing and Richie Faulkner of Judas Priest, onstage in 2022
“I gave them one last chance”: KK Downing says he won’t be making another appearance with Judas Priest

By Matt Parker Published

The guitarist says he asked about rejoining before forming KK’s Priest: “I was expecting to be back in the band when there was an opening”

Guitarists
Judas Priest perform with guitarist KK Downing for the first time in 13 years
Watch K.K. Downing play live with Judas Priest for the first time in 13 years at the 2022 Rock Hall induction ceremony

By Sam Roche Published

Richie Faulkner describes being part of a guitar trio with Downing and Glenn Tipton as “an experience I'll never forget”

Guitarists
K.K. Downing (left) and Glenn Tipton perform live onstage with Judas Priest on June 11, 1984 in Chicago
K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton dissect 17 of Judas Priest's loudest, fastest and toughest tracks

By Jeff Kitts Published

In this classic GW interview, one of rock's all-time greatest guitar duos discuss Judas Priest's greatest hits, including the song they see as the band's Stairway to Heaven

Music Releases
K.K. Downing (left) and Rob Halford performing together
K.K. Downing says he will be performing with Judas Priest at Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ceremony: “It's what I've done so many times”

By Matt Parker Last updated

The guitarist says he’s looking forward to the chance to get onstage with his old bandmates

Guitarists
Richie Faulkner of Judas Priest
Richie Faulkner returns to the stage as Judas Priest kick off rescheduled 50 Heavy Metal Years tour dates

By Sam Roche Published

The guitarist suffered an aortic aneurysm onstage back in September, leading to the postponement of the tour's North American leg

Concert, Gigs & Tours
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