K.K. Downing officially retires from Judas Priest.

http://judaspriest.com/news/fullstory.asp?id=31894B27-BD13-43BA-84F0-6A11B4F9D835

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, that's just odd.

That sucks! It's not Priest without him.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Well, that's just odd.

Understatement of the year!

He always seemed to be the one promising the fans that there will be another Priest album... now it looks like he was the one pushing for the band to retire more than the others.

It's over folks. The fat lady is singing.

Meet the New Guy:

ultmetal wrote:

That sucks! It's not Priest without him.

Meh. It was Priest without Halford, it can be Priest without Downing.

Too bad.

I love KK.

By the way, any news on their new album??

There was rumours that he was going to continue writing and recording with the band, but not go on tour - like a heavy metal Brian Wilson. Looks like that speculation was half-right.

Bummer.

I'm glad that they're doing another record at least. I hated that they were originally leaving us with that Nostradamus thing as their final album.

Troublezone wrote:

I'm glad that they're doing another record at least. I hated that they were originally leaving us with that Nostradamus thing as their final album.

With K.K. gone I doubt we will see a new album.

Why not finish out the tour with the rest of the guys? I hope his health is OK...

manny wrote:

Troublezone wrote:

I'm glad that they're doing another record at least. I hated that they were originally leaving us with that Nostradamus thing as their final album.

With K.K. gone I doubt we will see a new album.

You never know... they went on without Halford before. Glenn Tipton is the main writer anyway.

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

I hope his health is OK...

That crossed my mind too. I hope he's not having health issues.

According to the press release a new album is scheduled for next year.

I thought they were all retiring after this upcoming tour?

kmorg wrote:

According to the press release a new album is scheduled for next year.

I thought they were all retiring after this upcoming tour?

Looks like Priest and the Scorpions had a change of heart.

Wow. I didn't see that one coming.

As for the new guy, well, if he's just a touring guy, learning/mimicing KK's parts shouldn't be all that difficult from a show standpoint.

My initial reaction (other than shock) is that there's some type of health concern. I can't imagine anyone in that band being like "screw you, I'm gone" at this point. He was the one issuing updates about the band, talking about the tour and new album, so I feel this is not voluntary. Really sad either way.

BTW - the new album is still coming. Here's the press release announcing the new guitarist and intentions for the new album: http://judaspriest.com/News/Doc/KK-Downing-Retirement-Announcement.pdf

Quote :

He was the one issuing updates about the band, talking about the tour and new album, so I feel this is not voluntary. Really sad either way.

That's what i'm saying... there's definately something more to it.

Troublezone wrote:

Quote :

He was the one issuing updates about the band, talking about the tour and new album, so I feel this is not voluntary. Really sad either way.

That's what i'm saying... there's definately something more to it.

I agree. That just seemed to come out of nowhere. I hope everything's alright for him. Sadly, I think it's the beginning of the end for the band. None of them are getting any younger.

I am sure it is either health issue with himself or someone in his family, hope the best for K.K. and the man has had a great run and has given us a lifetime of music, who knows, I am sure when this is resolved ( I hope it will be) he will return

JP's management will probably let this initial release float around for a few days, let the rumors and speculation build, then KK will release his own "official statement". Let's hope for the best, health or otherwise.

kmorg wrote:

According to the press release a new album is scheduled for next year.

I thought they were all retiring after this upcoming tour?

If I remember the original "retirement" press release correctly, they said this was going to be their last globe-trotting tour, but they still planned to work on records.

I can understand that. Glenn Tipton and Ian Hill are both in their early 60s, so I would imagine that they're pretty damn tired of schlepping across the world for a year at a time...

Touring can be a drag. Maybe he's just had enough and he has no financial reason to continue.

I'm glad he will be on their next album though.