K.K. DOWNING Turns 75, Gets Birthday Messages From Members Of METALLICA, SLAYER, SCORPIONS, ACCEPT, THIN LIZZY, Others

Some of the biggest and best musicians in the heavy metal and hard rock community have recorded short birthday messages for former JUDAS PRIEST and current KK'S PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing, who turned 75 years old on Tuesday, October 27. Among the musicians featured in the heartwarming video compilation, which can be seen below, are James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo (METALLICA),Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER),Klaus Meine (SCORPIONS),Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE),Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, PANTERA),Tim "Ripper" Owens (KK'S PRIEST, JUDAS PRIEST),Kerry King (SLAYER),John 5 (MÖTLEY CRÜE),David Ellefson (MEGADETH, METAL CHURCH),Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT, Doro Pesch, Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P.),Scott Gorham (THIN LIZZY),Eric Peterson (TESTAMENT),Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX, PANTERA),John Bush (ARMORED SAINT, ANTHRAX),Dave "Snake" Sabo (SKID ROW) and Wolf Hoffmann (ACCEPT).

Downing celebrated his 75th birthday onstage with KK'S PRIEST in San Jose, California during "The Sinners Ride Again" North American tour as the support act for W.A.S.P. Video of the entire concert can be seen below.

Kenneth "K. K." Downing, Jr., born 27 October 1951, is an English Grammy Award-winning guitarist, songwriter and a founder member of the British heavy metal band JUDAS PRIEST. He played guitar with the band for 40 years, finally stepping away from the band before their "Epitaph" tour in 2011. During those 40 years, PRIEST created several timeless metal anthems, from "Victim Of Changes" and "Hell Bent For Leather" to "Breaking The Law" and "Painkiller". By 2011, PRIEST had sold over 45 million records worldwide. Downing and PRIEST's other guitarist, Glenn Tipton, have set the standards for heavy metal guitar playing. Their distinctive guitar sound became a trademark in the field, with K.K.'s more wild bluesy style perfectly complementing Tipton's melodic output. Their classic twin leads and grinding riffs are one of the most played pieces in today's young guitarists' rehearsal rooms.

In addition to Downing, KK'S PRIEST's current touring lineup includes fellow former JUDAS PRIEST member Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals),alongside guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE),bassist Anthony Wall and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE).

KK'S PRIEST's sophomore album, "The Sinner Rides Again", came out in September 2023 via the Austrian label Napalm Records.

KK'S PRIEST made its live debut on July 6, 2023 at Downing's KK's Steel Mill in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.

K.K. formed KK'S PRIEST after JUDAS PRIEST turned down his offer to rejoin the band for their 50th-anniversary tour. It followed a couple of celebrated stage appearances, first with former MANOWAR guitarist Ross The Boss in the summer of 2019, then with a one-off lineup that included former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and former PRIEST drummer Les Binks later that year.

KK'S PRIEST released its debut album, "Sermons Of The Sinner", in October 2021 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.

Downing spent four months writing and recording "Sermons Of The Sinner" and, along with new ideas, he even resurrected a few archived riffs from the 1980s.

Downing was reunited with JUDAS PRIEST for a performance at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in November 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Downing left JUDAS PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance. He was replaced by Richie Faulkner, nearly three decades his junior.

In 2018, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties."

Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin JUDAS PRIEST after Glenn Tipton's decision to retire from touring.

Downing's autobiography, "Heavy Duty: Days And Nights In Judas Priest", was released in September 2018 via Da Capo Press.