Former Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing says he was surprised that his replacement Richie Faulkner looks so similar to him.
Downing left Priest in 2011 after 41 years in the job and said previously that he didn’t regret walking away, although he does miss the band. But he admits he was taken aback when he first saw his replacement Faulkner.
He tells Guitar International: “Obviously I’m quite happy for Richie Faulkner to be in the band. But I really wasn’t expecting to have someone who had so many familiarities as me, the looks and everything. At a glance, nothing too much has changed for the fans.”
Asked if he’d consider joining the band onstage again in the future, he adds: “No, I don’t think that will ever, ever happen.”
Faulkner has been nominated for the Dimebag Darrell Shredder Award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods, which take place tonight (Jun 15). Priest have a number of tour dates and festival appearances coming up after their weekend performance at Download.
JUDAS PRIEST TOUR
Jun 16: Esch-Sur-Alzette Rockhal, Luxembourg
Jun 17: Paris Zenith, France
Jun 19: Clisson Hellfest, France
Jun 20: Dessel Graspop Festival, Belgium
Jun 21: Hinwil Rock The Ring Festival, Switzerland
Jun 23: Milan Summer Arena Assago, Italy
Jun 25: Ostrava CEZ Arena, Czech Republic
Jun 26: Prague O2 Arena, Czech Republic
Jun 27: Lodz Atlas Arena, Poland
Jun 29: Belgrade Calling Festival, Serbia
Jun 30: Sofia Arena Armeec, Bulgaria
Jul 01: Bucharest Romexpo, Romania
Jul 04: Athens Rockwave Festival, Greece
Jul 11: Biloxi Hard Rock Live, MS, US
Jul 13: Grand Prairie Verizon Theatre, TX, US
Jul 15: Sterling Heights Freedom Hill Amphitheatre, MI, US
Jul 16: Oshkosh Rock, WI, US
Jul 18: Cadott Rock Fest, WI, US
Jul 23: Barcelona Rock Fest, Spain
Jul 24: Barcelona Rock Fest, Spain
Jul 25: Barcelona Rock Fest, Spain
Jul 26: Madrid Auditorio Miguel Rios De Rivas, Spain
Jul 29: Szekesfehervar Fezen Festival, Hungary
Jul 30: Graz See Rock Festival, Austria
Aug 01: Wacken Festival, Germany
