Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill confirmed that former guitarist Ok.Ok. Downing will attend the steel band’s Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame induction.
“He’s spoken to administration and mentioned he will certainly be there,” Hill advised Metal Hammer in a brand new interview. “It must be good.”
The bassist made that remark whereas discussing which members will obtain the Corridor’s “Musical Excellence” award in the course of the ceremony, scheduled for Nov. 5 on the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (The present will probably be televised at a later date on HBO and HBO Max.)
“The rule as I perceive it’s whoever has been with the band for 20 years,” Hill mentioned. “[Guitarist] Richie [Faulkner] is unfortunately not being inducted, however actually deserves to be as he’s been the driving drive within the band for practically 12 years now. [Drummer] Dave Holland was within the band for a very long time, and clearly, Ken [Downing] will probably be there. [Drummer] Les Binks was with us all these years, as was [drummer] Scott [Travis], so he’ll be a part of the induction, too.”
Requested for his emotions on being inducted 23 years after turning into eligible, Hill cracked, “Took them some time, didn’t it?”
“It does really feel good being acknowledged by your friends, although,” he added. “We’re honored to be a part of all of it, particularly as there’s just a few heavy steel bands in there at the moment. Hopefully, this opens the gates for bands like Iron Maiden or Def Leppard, bands who actually must be in there already.” (Def Leppard have been inducted in 2019.)
In a latest interview, Downing mentioned he isn’t optimistic what his degree of involvement will probably be in the course of the occasion. “Something may occur between at times. We’ll see what occurs,” he advised Danny Stoakes. “However it’s, I suppose, for all intents and functions, a type of celebration of every part that is been achieved over many, many many years. And can we all wanna be part of that celebration only for one night time? We’ll see how all people feels about that.”
Judas Priest will obtain the “Musical Excellence” award alongside the songwriting and manufacturing staff of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. In the meantime, the performer class contains Duran Duran, Pat Benatar, Eurythmics, Carly Simon, rapper Eminem, nation icon Dolly Parton and R&B singer Lionel Richie.
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