[Eternal Betrayer] Saturday, June 25, 2011 9:01:10 AM
"Finding Richie Faulkner" - more from Metal Hammer, July 2011:
ROB -"I went through something similar to him (KK) in quitting the band. I believe that he would want us to continue. It's the way I felt about Priest when I departed - I felt they should replace me & I'm certain that's how KK will now be feeling."
GLENN - "There are so many pals we could have called to do this. But that would have been the wrong move."
IAN -"You can just imagine what people would have said if we'd have gotten someone like Tony Iommi to help us out. 'Oh, it's Judas Sabbath now. How many Black Sabbath songs will be in the set?' We had to go for someone who'd be part of this band & not merely a guest helping us out."
RICHIE -"The first I knew of it was when I got a call out of the blue from Priest's management, inviting me to come & meet the guys. I thought it was a joke & told them to f..k off!"
GLENN -"We started by emailing him, but he ignored that. However, as soon as we met Richie, we knew this was the man for us. It was important he got on with all four members, as people as well as being a really good guitarist - & it worked on every level. I said to him that any time he needed some help musically, just give me a call. But he's ended up showing me thing!"
RICHIE -"I was nine or ten when that (Painkiller) came out & it immediately made me a fan of the band. I worked back from there. When I got this job, I went straight to reacquaint myself with their albums. What I want to make sure I do is keep the essence of what KK did, but not just mimic him. that would be daft. You know, I still can't believe I've been given this opportunity. I am determined not to let anyone down."
IAN -"We lived with this (scepticism) when Ripper was in the band. Things started off with a lot of fans chanting for Rob, but slowly Ripper won them over. I think the same thing will happen here. Once people see how good he is they'll accept Richie."
GLENN -"He's the right age for this job. If he were ten years younger, then he'd be a little too inexperienced to cope. If he were ten years older, then the fear would be he'd be too set in his ways. Right now, I can't wait to get onstage & show what we can do. He's given Judas Priest a real shot in the arm."
