K. K. Downing helped found Judas Priest in 1970 and stuck with the band up until 2011. Downing has now announced he'll be telling the world of his time in the band via his coming memoir Heavy Duty: Days And Nights In Judas Priest, due out September 18 via Da Capo Press. Da Capo Press has also released Official Truth: 101 Proof by Pantera's Rex Brown and Behemoth frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski's Confessions Of A Heretic.
Here's the official description of the book.
"As the band approaches its golden anniversary, fans will at last be able to delve backstage into the decades of shocking, hilarious, and haunting stories that surround the heavy metal institution. In 'Heavy Duty', guitarist K.K. Downing discusses the complex personality conflicts, the business screw-ups, the acrimonious relationship with fellow heavy metal band Iron Maiden, as well as how Judas Priest found itself at the epicenter of a storm of parental outrage that targeted heavy metal in the '80s. He also describes his role in cementing the band's trademark black leather and studs image that would not only become synonymous with the entire genre, but would also give singer Rob Halford a viable outlet by which to express his sexuality. Lastly, he recounts the life-changing moment when he looked at his bandmates on stage during a 2010 concert and thought, 'This is the last show.' Whatever the topic, whoever's involved, K.K. doesn't hold back.
"With the band at the beginning through his retirement in 2010 (and even still as a member of the band's board of directors), Downing has seen it all and is now finally at a place in his life where he can also let it all go. Even if you're a lifelong fan, if you think you know the full story of Judas Priest, well, you've got another thing coming."
Downing has since been replaced by guitarist Richie Faulkner in the band, and whose performance you can hear on the band's new album Firepower out on March 9.
