British metal legends Judas Priest have announced their farewell tour “Epitaph” for 2011, so this seemed like perfect timing when Dave Roberts of ExtremeGuitars.com sent us through his latest Ax & Facts.
My name is:
K.K. Downing.
My current job is:
Guitarist with Judas Priest.
Former bands:
None.
My guitar influences growing up were:
Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Gary Moore.
The guitars I use are:
Various makes of Flying Vs.
The strings and tunings I use are:
Dean Markley Speedloaders.
My current rig setup consists of:
Marshall 9100 power amps, with Jmp 1pre amp and vintage cabs.
The greatest invention for guitars is:
Floyd Rose Speed loader Trem.
My normal songwriting process consists of:
Hard work, some luck, hopefully talent, and loads of beer.
My favorite guitar solo from our band:
Trade-offs in “Hell Rider.”
My favorite all-time guitar solo (from another guitarist):
Anything from Jimi Hendrix.
Favorite all-time song (any artist) is:
“Voodoo Chile” Jimi Hendrix
Favorite song by our band:
“Screaming for Vengeance.”
Favorite song to perform in front of a live audience:
“Sinner.”
My Career highlights thus far are:
Playing Live Aid and winning a Grammy.
Other than my guitar and amps, the one piece of my gear that I cannot live without is:
Wah pedal.
The first song I ever mastered on guitar:
“Wild Thing” – The Troggs.
My first guitar was:
Some 6 string acoustic.
The first time I ever heard our band on the radio was:
I think around 1975 sitting in my old banger outside Wolverhampton dog track.
If I am only sure of one thing in life, it’s:
Only for the strong-minded.
The one ritual I always perform prior to going on stage is:
Having a pee and cleaning my teeth!
The exact moment I knew I would pursue a career in music was:
When I got fired from my previous job.
The best advice I could give beginning guitarists:
Learn how to use tab and practice scales.
CD(s) I’m listening to right now:
Richie Kotzen.
My 3 all-time favorite albums:
Are You Experienced, Fresh Cream, and No Heavy Petting.
Best gig:
Hendrix at Coventry Theatre.
What I like to do in my “off” time:
Golf, Tennis, and Pubs.
I couldn’t imagine being on the road without:
Beer.
If I wasn’t doing the musician thing, I could really see myself working as:
Record Producer.
Favorite movie:
Life of Brian.
My mission in life:
To create music that people want to hear.
My next goal is:
Try and play countries where we have never played for the fans.
The greatest contribution guitars/music have brought into my life is:
Given me the opportunity to express myself through the music that I play.
The one musician I would love to work with that I have not yet had the chance would be:
No one particularly springs to mind at the moment.
When it’s all said and done, I want the world to remember me for:
My devotion to the music.
Copyright 2010 Dave Roberts & ExtremeGuitars.com – (Photo courtesy Judas Priest).
The Speedloader trem has got to be one of the great inventions. Nothing is a bigger pain than snipping off ball ends and trying to get the tension just right.