During an appearance on Trunk Nation, ex-Judas Priest singer Tim “Ripper” Owens – who was a member of the fold between 1996 and 2003, performing on 1997’s “Jugulator” and 2001’s “Demolition” – discussed the latest drama between the band and its classic guitarist KK Downing.
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Ripper said:
“I was around. I know what Ken’s [Downing] talking about. So it’s not like he’s fabricating stuff.
“People keep saying that’s all he talks about [in interviews promoting the book]. No, he’s not. People are interviewing him and asking him about the book. He’s answering the questions that people are asking. It is what it is.
“I was there. I saw things happen. I saw how it ran. I saw how the band ran. And I’m not complaining about it; I was treated great. But I did see how it was run. And from what I see, he’s not lying about stuff; he’s just telling the truth.”
Owens pointed out he doesn’t think Downing is bitter about no longer being in the band, saying:
“I talked to Ken, and he had nothing but great things to say about [his replacement] Richie [Faulkner] and even the band.
“When I sat down with him a few months back – this was before the book was written, but he wasn’t in the band [anymore] – he spoke great [things] about everybody and especially Richie. So that’s just the way it is.”