In a new interview with Guitar World, Judas Priest guitarist, Glenn Tipton, discusses his strained relationship with former bandmate, K.K. Downing, saying what's been said by Downing is both untrue and unfair.

Downing left Judas Priest in 2011, prior to the band's Epitaph World Tour of 2011 and 2012, citing an “ongoing breakdown in working relationships between myself, elements of the band and management for some time." In his 2018 memoir, Heavy Duty: Days And Nights In Judas Priest, K.K. delved further into the reasons behind his departure, noting his relationship with co-guitarist Tipton as a major contributing factor. And in a December 2021 interview with Guitar World, Downing noted how he never expected Judas Priest to continue following the Epitaph tour, adding, “They didn't want any part of me, even though I was one of the only original members.”

In the new issue of Guitar World, Tipton offers his side of the story. An excerpt follows:

“I never wanted to get into a public argument after K.K. left,” he says. “I never said a word and I stuck to my guns for over 10 years, but there comes a point when you read things that have been said that are just crazy. It's time to say something, really because he's saying things that he really shouldn't be saying. They aren't fair.”

“He's insinuated that he was the driving force of the band,” he continues. “It just isn't true. Priest [is] made up of five guys working together. [There's] not just one person driving the band. He's said all these things that, I think, are meant to upset us and get us to say something in response and for a long time we didn't. But I've got a lot to say and enough's enough.”

Read the complete interview at Guitar World.

Judas Priest's 50 Heavy Metal Years North American tour, with special guest Queensrÿche, is scheduled to launch on March 4. The band have released a preview of the merchandise that will be available on the tour. Watch the video below, and find the full collection, along with pre-order options, here.

The 50 Heavy Metal Years North American tour will launch in Peoria, IL, and wrap up in in Hamilton, ON on April 13. A complete list of shows can be found below. Tickets available here.

Tour dates:

March
4 - Peoria Civic Theatre - Peoria, IL
6 - Mission Ballroom - Denver, CO
7 - Maverik Center - Salt Lake City, UT
9 - Angel Of The Winds Arena - Everett, WA
10 - Moda Center - Portland, OR (with Sabaton, no Queensrÿche)
12 - Fox Theater - Oakland - Oakland, CA
13 - Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood - Las Vegas, NV
15 - The Shrine - Los Angeles, CA
16 - Arizona Federal Theater - Phoenix, AZ
18 - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory - Irving, TX
20 - HEB Center - Austin, TX
21 - Freeman Coliseum - San Antonio, TX (with Sabaton, no Queensrÿche)
23 - Nashville Municipal Auditorium - Nashville, TN
25 - Ameris Bank Amphitheatre - Alpharetta, GA
27 - Charleston Civic Center Coliseum - Charleston, WV
29 - The Met - Philadelphia, PA
30 - Prudential Center - Newark, NJ
31 - MGM National Harbor - Washington, DC

April
2 - Foxwoods Casino Arena - Mashantucket, CT
4 - Paul E. Tsongas Arena - Lowell, MA
7 - Halifax Scotiabank Centre - Halifax, Nova Scotia
10 - Videotron Center - Quebec City, Quebec
11 - Place Bell - Montreal, Quebec
13 - First Ontario Centre - Hamilton, Ontario