I hadn't heard that before. It seems that he has stuck to his plan. I wish him all the best. I think it's ignorant of all these trolls posting that KK was forced out of the band when it is obvious that this is his personal choice to retire now. It is everyone's right to choose when they will retire and this is no different. He has accomplished what he set out to do and he can retire in peace. I wish him all the best in the world and someday, I want to go golfing on his golf course (if you can call what I do "golfing"! LMAO! Maybe I'll just drive around in the cart and drink!) The rest of the guys are not ready to retire just yet and that is their decision to make. After reading Ian's and Rob's comments, I now know that nothing is going to change what happened because this was not a fight that caused the band to breakup.
I can't wait for the tour to come to the US so we metalheads can all get together and drink some margaritas!!!
[Show/Hide Quoted Message] (Quoting Message by spapad from Thursday, May 12, 2011 6:46:29 PM)| |  | spapad wrote: | | Ages ago, KK set in motion his plan for what he wanted to do with his retirment. His resort is open and doing well, he is comming up on 60, which back in the 80s he stated in an interview that if he was lucky enough to play that long he wished to retire at 60, (when I read that at about 17 years old, I thought wow 60, now that's old!) Does not look like his plans ever wavered. Too bad we all don't plan for the future that well.
No sense in wishing for something that will definately not happen. I wish him well in his new life as a retiree with all the time in the world to dedicate to his personal pursuits.
| | | HOT ROCKIN' METAL GODDESS wrote: | | Yeah Becks, when Ian speaks, I always listen because he doesn't do it very often. It's good to get some other sides to this. It sounds like KK just doesn't want to do it anymore and all the guys tried to do everything to get him to stay. I wish everyone saying that KK was forced out would shut the hell up already!!! NO ONE can do anything about this if KK simply doesn't want to do this anymore.
| | | Becks wrote: | | Great stuff HRMG, cool to hear what Ian has to say considering he'sso often pretty quiet lol.
| | | HOT ROCKIN' METAL GODDESS wrote: | | Ian Hill's comments about KK and the Epitaph tour:
JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill recently spoke to Germany's Metal Hammer magazine about the departure of the band's founding member Kenneth "K.K." Downing and the group's latest addition, 31-year-old British guitarist Richie Faulkner (LAUREN HARRIS, DIRTY DEEDS).
On Richie Faulkner:
"He was recommended to us by a mutual friend.
"For those fans who are concerned that we will no longer sound like PRIEST [without K.K.], you can put your minds at rest. Richie Faulkner is a fabulous guitarist and the perfect replacement for K.K. Downing. You will miss nothing from the show and the sound."
On K.K. Downing:
"We have done everything in our power to persuade Ken to stay in the band. He no longer had the enthusiasm to keep going."
On the forthcoming "Epitaph" farewell tour:
"We are looking forward to it. We have a great show, a great set list and a very good new guitar player. "
On whether "Epitaph" is really JUDAS PRIEST's final tour:
"I don't think these will be our last-ever performances. But there will be no more two-year tours after this. However, we still have a lot of touring ahead of us, and if anyone asks us — why shouldn't we continue playing?"
A promise for the fans:
"Rob Halford is still able to sing all the songs as before."
JUDAS PRIEST has been focusing on the forthcoming tour — doing press, photos, sorting out stage sets, special effects, and stage clothes etc. In addition, the bandmembers have started music rehearsals this week so are now poised and getting ready to roll. According to a posting on the group's official web site, "everyone is looking forward to travelling round the world again with the PRIEST machine!"
JUDAS PRIEST's "Epitaph" world tour will kick off on June 7 in Tilburg, Holland.
Downing issued a statement last month regarding his departure from the legendary heavy metal group on the eve of its farewell tour. Downing said, "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 (the) 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."
Singer Rob Halford told French magazine Rock Hard, "K.K. leaving was his own decision, for the reasons he made public on his web site. . . K.K. has his own life to live and we can't force him to do anything he doesn't want to do."
Regarding Faulkner's addition to JUDAS PRIEST, Halford said, "K.K. can never be replaced; he's unique, and we didn't want any kind of K.K. copycat. Richie Faulkner came to Glenn's [Tipton, guitar] house to jam, and Glenn simply told me he was absolutely brilliant."
Although PRIEST plans to stop touring after this run, the band will continue to record and intends to issue a new studio album in 2012.
www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx
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