October 27: K.K. Downing’s metal guitar voice
Born October 27, 1951, K.K. Downing helped shape Judas Priest's twin-lead guitar partnership with Glenn Tipton, with whammy-bar work among his signatures.
K.K. Downing was born on October 27, 1951. In Judas Priest, his partnership with Glenn Tipton put two lead guitarists at the heart of the band’s sound.
Listen to Downing’s lead break in “Victim of Changes” for a way into his playing. Whammy-bar work became one of his signatures, adding another dimension to the notes. Priest’s twin-guitar identity was about two distinct players, not two interchangeable parts—and Downing helped give that partnership its character.
Want to dig deeper into K.K. Downing’s guitars and gear? Read our full guide.