K.K. Downing, the iconic founding guitarist of Judas Priest, recently offered a nostalgic look back at the nascent days of heavy metal in Birmingham, reflecting on how he and his bandmates “grew up as youngsters” alongside another pioneering force, Black Sabbath. His insights illuminate the unique environment that fostered two of the genre’s most enduring acts.
Speaking with Loudwire Nights, Downing recalled the vibrant yet raw music scene of Birmingham in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He specifically remembered seeing Black Sabbath in their very early days, possibly even the week they officially adopted the name. “We did play with the guys, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, I think it was a place called the Masonic Hall in a place called Walsall, very close to where the guys grew up and where we grew up,” Downing shared, painting a picture of two burgeoning bands existing in close proximity, each unknowingly on the cusp of defining a new musical style.
Downing admitted that witnessing Black Sabbath’s rapid ascent and their release of their groundbreaking debut album was incredibly inspiring for the members of Judas Priest. He emphasized the “synergy” that existed, even though their sounds were distinct. “Black Sabbath were so busy doing their thing and we were so busy doing our thing,” he noted, but acknowledged the shared vision. “It was fantastic for us to know there were other musicians out there really quite close to where we were — very like-minded, different, but there was definitely a synergy there.”
This camaraderie and shared sense of purpose in forging a heavier sound motivated Priest. Downing expressed that they actively championed Sabbath’s success, believing “the more successful they could be, maybe the more successful we could be when we managed to get a recording deal if it ever happened. Luckily for us, it did.” His reflections highlight a period of organic growth and mutual respect between bands that would ultimately shape the global landscape of heavy metal.
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