JUDAS PRIEST Guitarist Guitarist Addresses RIAA And Internet Royalties Increase

"The Classic Metal Show" recently interviewed legendary JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing about a number of topics, one which was the proposed raise of royalty rates by the RIAA that would, in essence, put Internet radio out of business. Downing stated that he found the proposed royalty rates to be "just ridiculous," and admitted that he's never received a check from the RIAA for royalties allegedly collected in his name by the organization. An excerpt from the conversation follows:

The Classic Metal Show: There's kind of a battle raging here in the United States about Internet radio. I wanted to get your take on that. With the advent of the Internet and the popularity of Internet radio, do you think that it has helped or hurt JUDAS PRIEST in getting promotion and awareness out there?

K.K. Downing: Well, as far as I'm concerned, any radio is great radio. If it hadn't been for radio, JUDAS PRIEST certainly wouldn't be where we are today, and that is a fact.

The Classic Metal Show: Currently here in the U.S., there's a controversy raging about the royalty fees that Internet radio may be required to pay. The RIAA…are you familiar with the RIAA at all?

K.K. Downing: No, not really.

The Classic Metal Show: The Record Industry Association of America. They're going after Internet radio stations to pay a very high royalty rate in order to broadcast copyrighted music. Basically, just to give you the gist of it, in a year's time at the royalty rate they are asking, an Internet radio station that, say, serves 1,000 listeners 365 days a year, the royalty rate that they would have to pay in order to stay in business would equate to about $200,000 a year.

K.K. Downing: Well, that's just ridiculous. That just doesn't stack up, as you say. That just doesn't equate. What's the equation? Who put that together? That's obviously silly.

The Classic Metal Show: Have you ever received a check from the RIAA, who's supposed out there representing you and JUDAS PRIEST?

K.K. Downing: No!

The Classic Metal Show: I didn't think so.

K.K. Downing: At least not to my knowledge. I've never heard of it.

The Classic Metal Show: Well, that's what I wanted to know, because guys like "The Classic Metal Show" will be put out of business if that goes into effect.

K.K. Downing: Well, that's obviously the last thing that we want, and if there's anything we can do to help, let us know.

To hear Downing talking about Internet radio with "The Classic Metal Show", go to this location.

"The Classic Metal Show" airs Saturday nights between 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. via www.theclassicmetalshow.com.