KK Downing

I have waited a while to comment on this one because... well... I've been busy.

Ken "KK" Downing was a founding member of Judas Priest and has notched up 42 years service with the band.

On the eve of the farewell tour... he quits.

The band issue a statement that they will tour without him with some kid that frankly I couldn't give a flying monkey's about. They wish him all the best, etc.

KK issues a statement on his own website. He has left the band to to "an ongoing breakdown in working relationship between myself, elements of the band, and the band's management for some time".

Elements of the band = Glenn Tipton.

Management = Jayne Andrews.

We all know that; goes without saying really.

But for Ken to just give up on his band, it must have been unbearable for him.

While I would have liked to have seen him with the band one last time (I was ready to orchestrate that 3-way...), I have no right to say what he should do with his life. I wish him all the best and intend on getting over to his golf course for a few rounds very soon.

Others seem to disagree though...

I am (obviously) still off sick so I am very limited in what I can do. I was bored so decided to read the guest book on KK's website.

Oh.

My.

God.

We thought the Bondi stalkers were bad!

Follows a selection of the best comments over the last few days. I obviously don't drink enough to understand what the fuck half of them are saying...

*****

If you need a girl friend I am here for you mister.

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YOU KNOW U HAVE LEGIONS OF FANS WHO WILL DO WHATEVER THEY CAN FOR YOU,WHOS CAUSING THE BULLSHIT?SAY THE WORD

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This suck.....Priest whithout K.K is like a word whithout faith,,,,shit..i..damn...WHYY??

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KK PLZ TOUR WITH PRIEST I RATHER SEE YOU IN THE BAND THEN ROB. YOU ARE THE ORIGINAL HOW CAN YOU LEAVE? YOU ARE MORE PRIEST THEN ANYBODY EXCEPT FOR MAYBE THE GOD OF THUNDER IAN. I HOPE THIS ISNT SOMTHING WITH ROB . THE BIG HEADED EGO MANIAC. I HAVE FELT THAT YOU AND IAN HAD WANTED TO CONTINUE WITH TIM BUT WERE KIND OF FORCED TO TAKE ROB BACK. IT SEEMED YOU GUYS WERE ACTUALLY HAVING FUN WITH TIM OWENS. ALSO THINK OF DIMEBAG AND DO IT FOR HIS MEMORY ALSO. THANK YOU LOVE CARL.(NOT IN THE GAY WAY)

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Ken, Please talk to us ... don't turn your back on us and not communicate anything here. We are all supporting you but we can't if we don't know really what is going on. Was it that bad? Its hard enough that you are gone but your silence is making it like a stab in the back.

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If it is with MUCH regret then how could you do it??

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There are only two scenarios here.

1) You started promoting the live shows and then turned your back on the fans by not following through with the gigs.

2)You started promoting the live shows and then you were forced out.

Here is the troubling part either it is you or the band has dealt the fans a horrendous betrayal...

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Why you didn't tell your fans about leave Priest earlier? You make that decision in December 2010 an you tell about it your fans now! We bought tickets on Epitaph tour to see you, but you cheated us and run away from Priest. And a month ago you write as you happy to be again on stage with Priest. You lie then, because in that time you know, you are was leaving Judas Priest. I appreciate that was you do for Priest in Metal Music, but you go away in deplorable style. Shame on you!

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Instead of being remembered for your music, you may in fact be remembered for quiting at the last minute and disappointing many, many people. Seems to me that egos could have been left at the door in this instance.

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It is unacceptable to build up this fanbase over the years and then turn your back on us by not giving us any communication, only official "statements" that are actually "spins."

IT IS NOW DAY 8

Every day that goes by is a huge blow to us your fans and what you have built here on this site. Avoidance is not the answer...it only adds fuel to the growing fire.
Many people believe in you and you have let them down.

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Now that Osama bin Laden is dead it still want you to come back with YOUR band Judas Priest.

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It HAS NOW BEEN 12 DAYS.

No word whatsoever from you. You say in your "Statement" much love and respect but they are empty words. I am not believing it, it is not sincere. Where is the love and respect for us your fans???

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If your mother told you to play with your mates you would do it. Now today is two days since America killed Osama Bin Ladin, three days since low Sunday, and one day before Cinco da mayo. That being said, Impress mum, all of Islam, all of Christianity, all of Mexico and South America, all of Europe, all of Asia, All of the fuckin' world, and take your band on the road this summer and next year. Kick Robert Halford in the Balls, Tell Mr. Tipton we are gonna play, Blood Red Skys, Sinner, Dreamer Deceiver, and every other fuckin song that has you on main lead, and tell your mate Ian to get with the program. As far as Scott, he will do what you deside once he sees Rob doubled over, Gleen crying, and the whole word screaming... WE WANT K.K. and no one else! OK, I know my rant is selfish but I'm serious, I am completely manic and depressed thinking you will not be wha-wha ing that guitar bar and making JP fans go wild. Brother Ken, please ... if I had a BILLION dollars I would give it to you. Unfortunately, Glen and Rob want 70%. I swear to GOD I don't knoe what to say except. YOU ARE LOVED AND YOU WILL BE MISSED. I weep.

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Kenneth,
I don't want anything but your understanding of the magnitude of the SNAFU that has made real once you retired.

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Priest would suck without you. Everyone is screaming ROCK HARD RIDE FREE ALL DAY ALL NIGHT. ROCK HARD RIDE FREE ALL YOUR LIFE. Because of this and it being Cinco da mayo I've started drinking heavy duty with Tequilla. I will continue to drink until #1: Until my liver explodes. #2: Until I can't see straight. #3: Until I run out of denaRO. #4: Until K.K. reunites with Judas Priest. Ken, my life is in your hands. Now you might be sayin'... "This wanker isn't even Mexican and you'd be correct...but I'm married to a Mexican woman, have a fist full of cash, have all read bought three bottles of Petron, and have noting to lose unless K.K. returns to Priest." FUCKIN JUDAS PRIEST IS NOT JUDAS PRIEST WITHOUT K.K. DOWNING! I am going xcrazy and I pray someone can talk to JP management and get off this ledge, Tell Rob and Glen to back off, and give K.K. what he wants. Shit I don't care if its not good business practice or Judas Priest is an Enterprise Ltd. or BULLShit corporate record executive claptrap. GOD Damnit I want this fixed and I want IT NOW. DOn't make me talk to Mike Myers and get DOCTOR EVIL involved. I wish I had the answer...and of course there is one...this crazy world has a zillion problems occuring every second but this problem can be solved. I'm not sure how but I sure know why... BECAUSE JUDAS PRIEST IS NOT SHIT WITHOUT K.K. DOWNING behind the wha-wha- guitar bar. Fuckin a right. I'm thinkin' right now an alien is gonna snatch me, the devil is gonna collect me, a killer a gonna find me, and the world is gonna hate me but K.K. Downing did what he did and retired for a GOOD REASON. I WISH I KNEW A BETTER REASON TO CHANGE HIS MIND BUT I DON'T KNOW A GOOD REASON WHY. Ken, I love you, the world loves you, God loves you, and Judas Priest is you. ROCK HARD RIDE FREE ALL DAY ALL NIGHT ROCK HARD RIDE FREE ALL YOUR LIFE. LIVE LONG K.K. and may you live to see another day with your fans chanting JUDAS PRIEST, JUDAS PRIEST, JUDAS PRIEST.... All most dead from alchol posioning...