Former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing reflected on his early days in the UK’s West Midlands scene with Black Sabbath, noting how his colleagues were true “salt-of-the-earth people” typical of that area.

K.K. Downing, the esteemed former guitarist and co-founder of Judas Priest, recently offered a vivid recollection of his formative years in the UK’s West Midlands music scene, emphasizing the down-to-earth nature of his peers, including the members of Black Sabbath. He fondly described his colleagues from that era as true “salt-of-the-earth people,” a reflection of the industrial heartland from which their groundbreaking music emerged.

Downing, who grew up in the same working-class suburbs of Birmingham as Black Sabbath, noted the unpretentious and grounded character of the musicians he encountered. This description points to the genuine, no-nonsense attitude often associated with individuals from the West Midlands – a region forged by heavy industry and a strong sense of community. It suggests a shared background of hard work and a direct approach to life and, by extension, to music.

He recalled the early days when both Judas Priest and Black Sabbath were cutting their teeth in local venues, such as the Masonic Hall in Walsall. Despite developing distinct sounds, Downing highlighted a “synergy” and a “like-minded” spirit among them. This wasn’t about fleeting trends or manufactured images; it was about raw talent and an authentic desire to create a new, heavier form of expression. The “rough and rowdy” environment of their youth, coupled with their working-class roots, instilled a resilience and an honest grit that permeated their music.

This “salt-of-the-earth” quality, as Downing articulated, was integral to the pioneering heavy metal sound that both bands would unleash upon the world. It speaks to the authenticity and power that came from musicians who truly understood the struggles and realities of their surroundings, channeling that energy into a genre that resonated deeply with a global audience.