Yep, and thing to bare in mind is (like Ripper) The new guy was not hanging around like a shark trying to oust KK out of the band. He just happened to be the guy that the band deemed fit enough to play with them. Faulkner is not the enemy here. There are no enemies. Just crappy circumstances that leaves no winners in this situation.
I for one would find it worse to watch a band where one of the dearest members was looking like an animal trapped in a cage... hang on aren't there some lyrics to that effect somewhere on the circut? (lol) But you know what I'm getting at. Rather let him walk away on his terms than go forward with a heavy heart. This can't be easy for KK to have to do. And I don't think it's something he chose. When you feel you cannot go on... You cannot go on.

		HOT ROCKIN' METAL GODDESS wrote:
		Yes Joe, I completely agree. Last time Priest "divorced", I took Priests side and was completely pissed off at Rob until he came back to his metal roots in Halford and then I could let it go. This time around, I'm not really taking sides, I'm just so sad about how all this happened. I will be there supporting Priest, because they have been my ALL TIME FAVORITE band since '82. Seeing someone in KK's place does not "ruin" the memory of Priest for me like it apparently does for others. Yes, it will be different and it will not be "Priest" for me either. But things change and people move on. I want to be there, hopefully with all my Priest friends in the US and say goodbye. I have my memories of KK that I will cherish forever. Now it's time to make some new memories. Just like in a marriage or relationship, you can't force someone to stay when they are so unhappy. I just wish it wasn't the case, but it is so we have to go on the best way that we can.      joedraper wrote: And who suffers the most in the 'divorce' or the untimely 'death' Freeze? Why it's us the children (fan for those of you who don't understand my euphamisms lol) We're the ones who will always hold out hope of mom and dad putting their differences aside and making the family unit whole again. Or we're standing by the cold, grey corpse refusing to let go of the stiff frozen hand and let what's done be done. Instead of hating and being full of rage, I'm choosing to support the rest of the band who are still here for us, trying to hold us together. It's the least we can do for them. This can't be easy for them, left holding all the broken pieces trying frantically to put things back together again and hope the missing pieces can be hidden by their love for us. And the love for their band and what they have put their lives into for the last 40 odd years.      Deep Freeze wrote:  Its good to see such great discourse regarding the band and all that has occurred. I used a different anaolgy when talking to MM about it earlier. For ME, it's like watching a loved one go through divorce. Of course you support them but it still hurts and it will never be "the same". I will always cherish the memories I have of the band and all the great shows. The thing is, for me, it  will not be PRIEST. It will be the remaining members playing as Priest. They will be awesome.  It will be epic. They never fail to deliver. All of this is true. The thing is, I want to remember them as they were way back when I first saw them in the 70's. When I first was drawn to their magic. I want to remember them as they were on that summer's day in Detroit just a couple years ago, when I was only feet from them.  Without KK, it will not be the same and, for me, that says it all. I am truly glad that so many of you will go and will say your "good byes", or whatever you wish to call it, in your own ways. That is a good thing. For me, it is over. I will always love the band and I support whatever they do, just as I would any loved one. I still love Judas Priest. That doesn't change.