Ken "K.K." Downing is a guitarist and founding member of heavy metal band Judas Priest. He formed the band at the age of sixteen after getting kicked out of his home by his abusive father and the band eventually found success during the New Wave of British heavy metal in the late 1970s and into the 1980s. K.K. retired from the band in 2011 and lives in Shropshire, England.
Mark Eglinton is a frequent cowriter whose previous collaborations include Official Truth, 101 Proof with Rex Brown of Pantera and Confessions of a Heretic with Behemoth's Adam "Nergal" Darski, along with the solo project So Let It Be Written: The Biography of Metallica's James Hetfield. Eglinton divides his time between Scotland and the Pacific Northwest.
"Heavy Duty is a must read for all fans of heavy metal and
especially for fans of Judas Priest as K.K. finally tells his tale.
Don't miss the opportunity to find out all that he has to
say."--BackstageAxxess
"Heavy Duty is that rare metal memoir that actually reads as a
sweet and wholesome story...You get the sense that Downing is much
more of a pint or two at the pub kind of guy than a fifth of vodka
downed by the third song sort of rocker."--Los Angeles Daily
News
"Heavy Duty: Days and Nights in Judas Priest isn't so much a book
about Judas Priest as it is one about being a member of Judas
Priest. That makes Downing's story particularly intriguing because
it does not follow the contours of what has become the typical rock
'n' roll fantasy...Downing supplies plenty of stories and anecdotes
about the songs and albums that solidified heavy metal as a
distinct sub-genre of rock. And he charts Judas Priest's
progression from underground sensations to arena-packing stars...He
maintains some privacy around the least public aspects of his life,
but Downing is refreshingly open about his disappointments and
failings. Heavy Duty makes it clear that the man who helped pen the
anthem 'Metal Gods' is, in fact, quite human."--The Arts Fuse
"[A] chance for fans of the band to see just what was going on
behind the scenes during the bands early years and on up through
guitarist K.K. Downing's departure from the group in 2011...Give[s]
detailed accounts of the bands formation, the growing pains all new
bands go through and what the band was like during the recording of
some of the most influential heavy metal records in music history.
Downing is candid and no subject seems to be off limits as he
recounts his own personal struggles as well as inner turmoil
between band members, management and producers giving the reader a
fly on the wall perspective that until now was not
available."--Media Mikes
"[Downing's] abrupt departure from the band in 2011 with little
explanation left fans wondering what in the fiery pits of hell
happened. In this quick-read but chock-full-of-info memoir, Downing
answers that and much more...Fans of hard rock and metal will also
find plenty of anecdotes about Judas Priest touring and hanging
with groups like AC/DC, Status Quo, Def Leppard, Dio, and
Mot�rhead."--Houston Press
"[Downing's] early years really give you an appreciation for what
you have. The stories are interesting and descriptive in the way
that you visualize it happening as you read...The book doesn't
disappoint...An easy read that keeps your interest. Well written
that reads like he is saying it. Very natural flow to it unlike
some autobiographies. Highly recommended for all fans of
Metal."--Metal Rules
"[Downing] demolishes the myths and reveals a man-and a band-in
constant turmoil. There are many revelations...A curious, cathartic
read."--Planet Rock
"[Downing] doesn't hold anything back...He proves that there is
more to a band than meets the eye...This autobiography is a must
for any fans of Judas Priest."--Digital Journal
"[Downing] recounts his whole story-and dishes lots of dirt in the
process-in this memoir...He also goes into great detail about his
creative differences with Tipton, alleging the other guitarist
wanted all the glory, giving readers a rare look at the real drama
that plagues even the biggest bands."--Rolling Stone (The Best
Music Books of 2018)
"A great memoir...Downing is pretty frank throughout the book...Far
more than an excuse to air dirty laundry or take down enemies,
Heavy Duty is a solid entry in the seemingly-growing rock biography
genre...A remarkably thoughtful and entertaining read."
--Innocent Words
"A rare look into life behind the scenes with his former
band."--The Hype
"A terrific read. Many surprising revelations are shared...If
you're a Priest fan, it's more than worth the
purchase."--AntiMusic
"A well written autobiography that takes us from [Downing's]
troubled upbringing with an abusive father to the forming and
departure from one of the world's most original and influential
heavy metal bands...Because Judas Priest has avoided controversy
and scandal, the stories in Heavy Duty will be revelations to most
Judas Priest fans...Downing delivers many insights into the
inner-workings of the band...It's very difficult to walk away
without a newfound admiration for a true guitar legend."--Let's
Rock
"Anyone who has followed Judas Priest throughout their career knows
the sonic contributions of guitar player KK Downing. But in his new
memoir, Heavy Duty, the British blonde six-string slinger tells you
just how much he did, without making himself appear like he's
bragging. In fact, he's almost nonchalant about things, as if
having a beer and a chat in a local pub, writing about his life as
a rock star in a most unassuming way...He's quite open with most
everything...We finally get to read all about the highs and lows as
he lived through them and it's honestly hard to put down until the
end."
--Glide
"As he tells his story, [Downing] offers brutally honest insights
from his 42 years in the group."--RollingStone.com
"Besides being the first book about Judas Priest written from the
inside, KK Downing's Heavy Duty...serves as a classic study in the
long-range effects that a traumatizing upbringing can conjure up
well into adulthood."--Please Kill Me
"Chapter 12 is one the more interesting, beginning with Downing's
own '91 resignation letter (never submitted), the band's war of
words with Halford, [and] his feelings on Tipton's solo
effort."--Brave Words
"Downing gives a little insight into his work ethic which is food
for thought for us fretboard fumblers. The early days in Judas
Priest are recounted with a relaxed style ideal for tales of
numerous small gigs up and down the country...Downing also takes a
good look at the 1990 court case regarding subliminal messages on
albums, without getting mired in the legalities and is honest about
why he feels the case ended up in court...Heavy Duty is an
interesting read...that speeds through the career of this classic
metal band. Downing's thoughts on his time in Judas Priest will
probably divide fans and start many a debate which isn't a bad
thing."--Red Guitar Music
"Downing looks back on this singular band that is now approaching
its golden anniversary, treating the reader to shocking, hilarious,
and haunting stories that surround the heavy metal
institution."--Music Connection
"Downing takes readers on a visceral journey from his impoverished
childhood to the biggest stages in the world. In a vivid and often
emotional recounting, the guitarist discusses all the highs and
lows of his career with Judas Priest, from album cycles and touring
to the inner-band battles with an up-and-coming Iron Maiden.
Downing also pulls no punches in describing the events that led up
to his departure from Priest following the band's acclaimed 2008
double album, Nostradamus."--Guitar World
"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
"Few books in the music world this year are drawing as much
excitement...Downing has stayed largely out of the spotlight since
parting ways with Judas Priest in 2011, but this fascinating work
brings him back into the light...The books flows with ease and
cohesiveness, making this a fascinating read from front to back.
It's difficult to pull away...Both die-hard Judas Priest fans and
casual admirers of the band will find lots to enjoy in Heavy Duty.
It's a book that has heart and passion, and that makes it a metal
must-read."--Audio Ink Radio
"Getting a closer look into a band after the stage lights are off
is what makes books like this a must-read."--Metal Kaoz
"His book covers many different aspects of his life: His difficult
childhood. His early struggles to make it as a musician. The
ascension of Priest as a working class band into a world class
musical juggernaut. And all of the behind-the-scenes turbulence
that one might expect from a good rock book."--Billboard.com
"In [this] frank new memoir, the guitarist opens up about his time
with the metal band and how boiling tensions caused him to
leave...[It] challenges the narrative of one of the world's most
storied heavy metal bands, while giving frank explanations for why,
after 41 years as a Priest loyalist, he left in a huff."--The
Guardian
"Judas Priest is a notoriously private band. Little has been known
about the inner dynamics of the Metal Gods. Fans can now glimpse
behind the scenes thanks to the new K.K. Downing
autobiography...Revelations often add new insight to established
facts...A fascinating read for Judas Priest fans...One feels that
the process of writing Heavy Duty was an act of catharsis. At the
very least, fans now know why K.K. walked away from the band he
founded."--Green and Black Music
"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
"K.K. Downing's departure from Judas Priest, in 2011, was a major
shock and caused huge disappointment among the millions of fans
around the world...This autobiography sheds some light at what
really happened back then but also gives us all the details
regarding the foundation, rising and glorified establishment of
Judas Priest...it is very well-written."--Rock Pages
"The book goes into depth about K.K.'s early years and the
formation of the band."
--Backstage Axxess
"Where Downing excels is in detailing the daily grind (and nighty
debauchery) of a working rock band, especially as tensions within
the band escalate...[Downing is] a heavy metal original."--San
Antonio Express-News
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