In a new interview with Eonmusic, former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing said that he is “delighted” to be inducted, along with his former bandmates, into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this year.
He stated: “Yeah, it’s one of those things, I think; it was like the Grammy; when you get nominated that amount of times and don’t win, when you actually do win, it takes the edge off it a bit, because you’ve failed a lot of times. But it’s better to score the goal at the end of the game. Laughs]”
When asked if it feels like “a real triumph” that he will be able to stand with his “brothers in music” to receive the award, Downing responded: “I’m not sure, really. I hadn’t thought about that. Is that going to happen? Is it? I think it’s November, and a lot can happen between now and then, mate.”
Asked if he is thinking about possibly playing with his former bandmates again at the event, Downing said: “I thought about it briefly, when we were nominated, what would happen. But like I say, it’s November and a lot of things can happen between now and then, especially with men of an age like us. But I think it’s just a question of seeing how everything lies when it comes to them, really, because a lot of things can happen between now and then — a lot of things could get better, but they could get worse, or stay the same. You never know, do you?”
On what induction to Rock Hall means to him personally, K.K. said: “I’m particularly delighted because as far as I know, the nominees when we failed last time were me, Glenn [Tipton, guitar], Ian [Hill, bass] and Rob [Halford, vocals], and Scott [Travis, drums], and [former members] Les Binks and Dave Holland. In that case, I’m really quite delighted for my buddies, really; Les and Dave, bless him, even though he’s not here [Dave passed away in 2018). Obviously, a lot of cherished memories, a lot of gigs together, you know. They were an integral part for a long time. Dave did a lot — from British Steel [1980] onwards, and when you think about it, it’s quite a while, through to Ram It Down [1988], through the period of the wonderful decade of the Eighties. It was the glory times. Like I say, I’m pleased for Dave, and Les, really. Les was there on those important albums as well.”
The induction ceremony will be held on November 5, 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. It will air at a later date on HBO and stream on HBO Max. There will also be a radio simulcast on SiriusXM‘s Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Radio channel 310.
