Judas Priest Bassist Talks K.K. Downing Replacement

Judas Priest bass player Ian Hill discussed his band’s farewell tour, founding member K.K. Downing’s departure and new guitarist Richie Faulkner in a new interview with Metal Hammer magazine. Hill said that Faulkner was recommended to the band through a mutual friend.

“For those fans who are concerned that we will no longer sound like Priest [without Downing], you can put your minds at rest,” he said. “Richie Faulkner is a fabulous guitarist and the perfect replacement for K.K. Downing. You will miss nothing from the show and the sound.”

The bassist said that the band tried everything to keep K.K. as part of the group, but “He no longer had the enthusiasm to keep going.”

Hill also was asked if Judas Priest’s Epitaph tour would truly include their last performances as a band.

“I don't think these will be our last-ever performances,” he said. “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?”

Judas Priest’s Epitaph tour begins on June 7 in Holland.

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K.K. Downing Retires from Judas Priest

British metal band Judas Priest announced this week that founding guitarist K.K. Downing, 59, retired from the band and will not join them on their forthcoming farewell tour, named the Epitaph Tour.

Remaining members – singer Rob Halford, guitarist Glenn Tipton, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis – issued a press release to announced Downing’s replacement as Richie Faulkner, the 31-year-old guitarist behind Lauren Harris and Dirty Deeds.

In a recent interview Downing was asked for his thoughts on the farewell tour, and he said, “To be perfectly honest, I have not given any thought as to possible case scenarios after the final tour. At the moment though I feel that Priest has played its part in music history and feel very proud to have achieved what we have. So there is a good positive feeling inside me and, of course, I feel very indebted to the fans all over the world. As for the future, we probably need the help of [Priest’s most recent album] Nostradamus.”

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