Shawn:
Do you ever take any submissions for songs? I know Judas Priest has done songs from other writers. I have four songs written which were influenced by JP.
Hi Shawn. We won’t be requiring any more material for our upcoming album but I personally am happy to listen to other material. Lots of people have given me stuff on my travels over the years but as yet nothing has inspired us to use anything. I guess partly because myself, Glenn and Rob always seem to have more than enough ideas when we need them. Please be sure to copyright any songs that you send to anyone.
Regards K.K.
Kristian Linder, Stockholm, Sweden:
Hi K.K.!
I would be most honoured if you’ll be kind enough to answer my questions.
The Freewheel Burning-single from 1983 featured an intro to the song that wasn’t included on the Defenders Of The Faith-album. Did you ever play that song live with the original intro?
And here are a couple of silly questions…
What would a heavy metal legend want for Christmas? Honestly, how do you celebrate Christmas? With friends, a tree, Christmas pudding? Or is it just another holiday best celebrated by playing guitar, watching TV etc?
Thank you for your time. Rock hard, ride free!!!
Hi Kristian. I honestly can’t remember that intro so I need to go back and have a listen if I can find a copy.
Mostly the latter I guess but with a few concerts thrown in if there is some good metal about. If not, talking to girls and drinking some beer is as good as it gets.
Regards K.K.
Rita Galloni, São Paulo – Brasil:
Hello K.K. “Again”…
What do you feel when you have a “show” with a lot of people?
What is the possibility of a fan knowing you personally?
“Sorry for my English”
…Thank you for existing…
Love……
Hi Rita. Please don’t apologise for writing in Portuguese because I can quickly translate it. Also you and everyone are always a welcome guest to the fan forge. I Guess when I play live I have a feeling of responsibility to play and perform well both for my band mates and of course the fans and as you say I am sure that quite a lot of people will know me personally. I think that everything before Judas Priest for me was just my apprenticeship to being in the band.
Happy Holidays to you and Arthur, K.K.
Alex from Belgium:
Hello one more time K.K. First I hope everything is working well for you? Well let’s go with some questions… Me and some of my friends are making a new french Judas Priest web page with everything we can tell about the band! And while writing the history tour dates section we were confronted to a big dilemna… When did the first Judas Priest gig with you and Ian happened? Because I’ve read a lot of info about that first show and here they are: April 21.1970 – Walsall support to Black Sabbath? (But as I know you were not in the band yet…?) ( “I remember the show well – it was before electricity and when Al Atkins was singing in the band. It was the first and only time we shared a stage with Sabbath. And we said never, ever again… Just kidding, Tony.” – K.K. Downing, Classic Rock, June 25, 2004 ) As you said you played with Black Sabbath and the show location of Walsall I found at www.jpinfo.tk/. I checked the official Black Sabbath website and in 1970 the only show played by Sabbath in Walsall was on April 21… So that’s why I suggested this date… But again I red you formed Judas Priest with Ian, Al Atkins and John Ellis in November 1970, so a gig in April is not possible?? Here are the other suggestions: March 6, 1971 Essington St John’s Hall? March 16, 1971 Essington St John’s Hall? March 16, 1971, Essington Working Men’s Club support to Status Quo and Supertramp (from an Al Atkins interview)? March 16, 1971, Walsall Working Men’s Club? March 16, 1971, West Bromwich England Three Mile Oak? So which one is the right one ? Or are thay all false? Do you know the exact date and place of your first Judas Priest gig? Second question (hopefully for you my last one! lol) can you tell us a great memory or a spinal tap moment that happened during the Nostradamus recording session or during Angel of Retribution session? Thanks a lot K.K. for everything!!! PS: I hope to see you and the band at GRASPOP because I saw you will play the Gods of Metal (sunday 29 of june) in Italy the same week end as the GRASPOP… (june 27,28 and 29 ) I hope you will find the time to come and play for us… See you on tour, Alex from Belgium!
Hi Alex. We have researched K.K.’ s personal scrapbooks with his help and found out that correct date is 6.3.1971 at Essington St. John’s Hall.
Regards Jari and Millworkers
Jason, Ayrshire – Scotland:
Hello K.K.
Do you know if and when Judas Priest will be playing in Scotland?
Also what amplification and guitars will we expect to see on the next tour (Are there any new cool additions to the K.K. guitar collection?)
Thanks for your time K.K. and Rock On
Hi Jason. We had damn well better be playing in Scotland. We did not compose Loch Ness for nothing. I will let you know as soon as I do if and when dates are confirmed and yes I am working on a new axe at the moment but exactly what gear I will change remains unknown at this time. But I am sure when we get to rehearsals I will want some improvements. Happy Holidays to you.
Regards K.K.
Simen, Norway :
Hey K.K! Just want to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! I’m 20 years old now, and I’ve been a fan since I was 12! I was lucky enough to catch you live in 2005 when you played in Oslo! I can honestly say that it was the best night of my life! Judas Priest is the reason that I picked up a guitar and started playing! I’ve been playing in a band called Celestiality for 4 years and we have just recorded a demo. We are not finished mixing it yet, but if you want to hear some of our songs I can mail them to you when we are done! In the mean time you can watch a live-video of us playing in a local contest (which we won’t :D), the quality is crappy, but it would mean a lot to me if you watched it and gave me a little feedback, (http://video.agderposten.no/category.php?id=10000000628) and I also have 2 questions for you:
1. Are you coming back to Norway on your next tour, I know it was here you first started touring in the 70’s? If you are coming back, you know who to call as a support act. 😉
2. What do you think of Stevie Ray Vaughan? He was one of the best blues guitarists in my mind, just like Jimi Hendrix’s little brother.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year!
Metal Cheers from Norway!
Hi Simen. I seriously hope that we will play Norway as we had a great gig there last time. I agree with you that S.R.V was one of the true greats and I am very relived that I had the chance to see him play. I checked out your video and it seems that there is no reason that you can’t develop into the band of your dreams. You are young and obviously passionate and that’s the most important thing and you know what they say; practice makes perfect; so keep it up. Happy Holidays to you and the band
Regards K.K.
Mindy (Malinda) Deitz,Warren, Mn:
Dear K.K.
I just want to wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And also Glenn, Rob, Ian and Scott. Can’t wait to see you and the rest of the band members next year. The song ”The Night Comes Down” who wrote the song? It is really good and it doesn’t sound like you guys at all. It kind of sounds like something Ozzy would sing. Can’t wait to hear the new album. This year me and my kids are having a Judas Priest Christmas. I will send you a picture of our Christmas tree. And my daughter was asking if you would tour with Mötley Crue in the near future? Because you and Mötley Crue are her number one bands. And she also wanted to know if you could make Judas Priest wrapping paper? I was wondering that also? What kind of guitars are you and Glenn using on your next tour? I love your guitars and your playing, you and Glenn are number one for guitar players in my book. Your playing makes it fun to play the guitar. And so does Glenn. I like everybody else in the band but my favorite is the guitar.
Can’t wait to see you,
Mindy (malinda) Deitz
Hi Mindy. Thank you for the greetings. I too wish you and your family happy holidays. As you say we will be on tour in the USA next year, I am having new guitars made for the tour but I don’t know if Glenn will change his or not. I guess all will be answered at the first show. See you soon.
Regards K.K.
David, Germany:
Hey K.K. My name is David and I’m from Germany. I saw the mighty PRIEST live in Offenbach in 2005 and have been a big fan ever since!
I only have one question, when you came up with the name for the ‘Defenders of the Faith’ album did you know that this was also the title given to Henry VIII by the pope in 1521 for fighting the ideas of the protestant leader Martin Luther?
Can’t wait to see you again in 2008!!
Hi David. No I did not know that but I am a little embarrassed that history is not up to speed. Thanks a lot for the info though, I will pass it on to the guys. Seasons greetings to you.
Regards K.K.
Jeanine (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States):
What is the inspiration behind the song “Here come the tears?” The song’s lyrics and music are beautiful. It reminds me of a sad movie and it touches my soul.
Hi Jeanine. I am afraid that I would have to try hard to remember as it was so long ago and might even have to confer with Rob and Glenn. Anyway I am very Happy that you like the song. Seasons greetings to you.
Sigi:
Happy feast days and a great 2008!
That’s a part of my hometown in these idyllic days….
I’m looking forward to meet you and seeing you again in 2008….
Hi Sigi. Wow totally stunning!!!!!!!!!! What a lovely looking place and it’s cool to see the local priest likes to ROCK!!!! Happy New year To you.
Regards K.K.
Norm (was Newcastle but now Glasgow UK):
Hi Ken!
Remember the first time you played in Newcastle UK? It was the first of many times when I saw you and worked for you. Been trying to catch you at gigs but never had time. Sorry I’m in Glasgow now so with a bit luck I’ll get to see you again after 20 years.
Hi Norm. I can remember you, it’s been a long time, hope to see you in 2008 on the Nostradamus tour.
Regards K.K.
