Heavy Duty

Days and Nights in Judas Priest

By: K.K. Downing, Mark Eglinton

Narrated by: Maxwell Caulfield

Get a backstage pass and see Judas Priest like you’ve never seen them before in this electrifying memoir by the band’s cofounder and former lead guitarist.

Judas Priest formed in the industrial city of Birmingham, England, in 1969. With its distinctive twin-guitar sound, studs-and-leather image, and international sales of over 50 million records, Judas Priest became the archetypal heavy metal band in the 1980s. Iconic tracks like "Breaking the Law", "Living After Midnight", and "You've Got Another Thing Coming" helped the band achieve extraordinary success, but no one from the band has stepped out to tell their or the band's story until now.

As the band approaches its golden anniversary, fans will at last be able to delve backstage into the decades of shocking, hilarious, and haunting stories that surround the heavy metal institution. In Heavy Duty, guitarist K.K. Downing discusses the complex personality conflicts, the business screw-ups, the acrimonious relationship with fellow heavy metal band Iron Maiden, as well as how Judas Priest found itself at the epicenter of a storm of parental outrage that targeted heavy metal in the '80s. He also describes his role in cementing the band's trademark black leather and studs image that would not only become synonymous with the entire genre, but would also give singer Rob Halford a viable outlet by which to express his sexuality. Lastly, he recounts the life-changing moment when he looked at his bandmates on stage during a 2009 concert and thought, "This is the last show." Whatever the topic, whoever's involved, K.K. doesn't hold back.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Ken Downing Ltd. (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"K.K. Downing gives us an incisive look into the machinations of one of the greatest innovators in Heavy Metal."—Scott Ian, Anthrax guitarist, author of I'm the Man and Access All Areas

"Downing, guitarist and founding member of the British heavy metal band Judas Priest, delivers a thoughtful account of his 40-year career with the group...Downing's detailed and earnest look at Judas Priest's career successfully shows how it achieved its main artistic goal—to empower its audience with a 'sense of freedom and power' through its music."—Publishers Weekly

"A rare look into life behind the scenes with his former band."—The Hype

Excellent and entertaining story

An excellent and entertaining story of K.K.’s early life, founding of Judas Priest, and the years until his parting from the band. As a ravenous JP fan, I enjoyed listening to this book, and pausing to listen to the songs as they were referenced throughout. Even though I didn’t think it would be possible, this book elevated my level of appreciation of the music!

Great book.

I loved it! It was very interesting and fun to hear. Thanks KK for telling your story.

Revealing

The good, bad and the ugly. Honest stories of
life on the road-even the fun times.

Amazing

As a Priest fan since British Steel, I found K.K’s autobiography to be amazing. So much insight to the truth behind the scenes. This is a must listen to or read for every true Judas Priest and K.K fan!!

one of the best heavy metal music audio books!

excellently written and read! I would recommend this to any rock n roll or metal fan!

KK is a metal god

it is by far the best rock and roll oriented book I've heard so far admittedly having read that many LOL. but he tells the straight-up truth of what it's like to live the Rock and Roll Lifestyle see the world and Rockets ass off very few people ever get to experience this. he also tells the sad truth about the price paid for being a rockstar. I especially loved the story he tells in Madison Wisconsin during a tornado warning were they evacuated people into the parking lot like if they had a fired would they evacuate them into a closet LOL the great read or listen to and I wish can the best of luck and there and a long life may he find true love other than heavy metal

Good to hear Kk's side of things.

I listen to this audiobook while I drove for several days I enjoyed it and I really like tens honesty and insight into the band.

Great telling of his days in such a legendary band

He tells great stories of such a legendary band from such a legendary man and there's not one boring moment. It's all really interesting!

Really enjoyed this book

As a 50 year old fan, this book brought back tremendous memories. Those great 70’s and 80’s albums were the soundtrack of my teenage years.
K.K’s perspective of the band and issues with members sound like a brotherhood not squabbling ego driven musicians.
The book appears to be an honest declaration of events that forged the “Metal Gods” to the band that is still touring today.
Give this book a chance and you will not be disappointed. My impression is this is an honest recollection of Judas Priest.

The Blonde Bomber

I have been a fan of Judas Priest since the 1982 release of Screaming For Vengeance, I have bought everything they have ever released including the two studio albums and the two live albums during the Ripper era when Rob Halford was doing his solo gig, So its really great to hear stories about all of my favorite albums and tours over the years and to hear KK version of his story, if your a fan check it out.