Former
JUDAS PRIEST guitarist
Kenneth "K.K." Downing has shot down as "inaccurate" reports that he left the band because chose to concentrate on running his Astbury Hall 18-hole championship golf course in Shropshire, England.
In a
recent interview with
Express & Star,
JUDAS PRIEST bassist
Ian Hill stated about
Downing's departure from the group, "I think
Ken had just had enough. He'd got a lot on his plate with his golf course and I think he couldn't spend the time away. This tour's going to be, by the time it's wrapped up, the best part of two years. It's a long, long time to be away from things and I just think
Ken couldn't handle the time away."
In response to
Hill's comments and the subsequent press reports which insinuated that
Downing "chose golf over
PRIEST," the guitarist has released the following statement via his official web site:
"The word 'think' depicts uncertainty; therefore it lends itself to supposition.
"I love
Ian as a brother and nothing will ever change that, but his take on the situation in this instance is inaccurate, and the people from the press had no license to jump in and take what they thought was a cheap scoop out of what
Ian thought the situation was.
"To concentrate on my golf course is not, and was never, the reason for not doing the latest tour with
JUDAS PRIEST. I have had in place since last September the world's leading golf-management company known as
Troon Golf.
Troon manages approximately 200 facilities world-wide; please see the facility directory at
Troongolf.eu.
"The course has been open and running smoothly since last September when it hosted a great charity event for the Lords Taverner's in aid of underprivileged children.
"Anyone that has ever known me will testify that I have always been dedicated to
JUDAS PRIEST and the fans, and nothing has ever stopped me from touring until now.
"I have been busy going to concerts, metal exhibitions, trying to help younger bands to get off the ground, and have plans to travel on business to other countries including Finland, Spain, and the U.S. this summer.
"As for stepping out from
PRIEST before the tour, I stand by my
original official statement on the matter.
"Although I am not there, I wish for the name
JUDAS PRIEST to forever be triumphant.
"I have no doubt the
'Epitaph' tour is sensational. I therefore urge you all again not to miss out this one, so please give your best support one more time to the mighty
PRIEST."
