At last it can be revealed – the real reason guitarist KK Downing retired from Judas Priest. For Downing, it came down to a choice between heavy metal and golf… and golf won!

In an interview with the Wolverhampton Express And Star, Priest bassist Ian Hill says KK – aka ‘Ken’ – decided to putt down his guitar (geddit?) so he can concentrate on his golf course business in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

Downing’s decision to quit the Priest ranks “came as bombshell to all of us,” Hill admits.

He continues: “I think Ken had just had enough. He’d got a lot on his plate with his golf course and I think he couldn’t spend the time away. This tour’s going to be, by the time it’s wrapped up, the best part of two years.

“It’s a long, long time to be away from things and I just think Ken couldn’t handle the time away.

“I’ll always be a friend of Ken’s and I’m sure he’ll always be a friend of mine. Still waters run deep and we’ve been together as colleagues and friends since we were about five years old. We went through school and everything together.”

Check out photos of KK Downing’s golf course HERE.

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