KK Downing revealed during a recent interview with Ultimate Classic Rock that he will be performing with Judas Priest at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony.
The event, which will take place on November 5th at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, USA, will present the Musical Excellence Award to the group, including current and former members. The honorees are Rob Halford (vocals), Ian Hill (bass), Glenn Tipton (guitar), Scott Travis (drums), KK Downing (guitar), Les Binks (drums), and the late drummer Dave Holland.
In the interview, Downing said he will be playing with the band alongside Les Binks. “I think we probably have eight or nine minutes. I won’t even be able to break a sweat. The main thing is to represent the attitude and hopefully the legend of what Judas Priest is and has become and what that means to everyone who has been on this long journey over the decades with the band. And hopefully it will just remind people and bring back some cherished memories of heavy metal parking lots around the world.”
Later in the interview, Downing spoke about his separation from the band and what he hopes the evening will bring to everyone involved. The guitarist parted ways with the group in 2011, citing a "continuous breakdown in working relationships."
After his departure, the band continued with Richie Faulkner joining on guitar. With fellow guitarist Glenn Tipton revealing his Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2018, the guitarist had spoken about not being approached to return to the band, with the group inviting producer Andy Sneap instead. In recent years, Downing started KK's Priest and the band is currently working on their second album.
READ ALSO: KK Downing claims Judas Priest threatened to sue him for using the name KK's Priest