Music

Judas Priest's founding guitarist retires after 42 years in the band

by Tyler Munro

In a statement released today, Judas Priest regretfully informed fans that founding guitarist K.K. Downing has retired, effective immediately, and therefore won’t be hitting the road for the legendary metal band’s final farewell tour.

Downing’s former band mates wish him well, but with no time to waste before their Epitaph tour starts this June, they have no time to waste and have announced Dirty Deeds guitarist Richie Faulkner as a replacement. The Epitaph tour is set to include material from each of the band’s 16 studio albums and will hit major cities across the world. Though the tour will mark the end of the band as a major touring entity, they are hard at work on a new album.

K.K. Downing had been in Judas Priest since their formation in 1969. Bassist Ian Hill remains as Judas Priest’s sole remaining original member. [via NME]