Kenneth Downing, Jr.

Kenneth Downing, Jr. net worth is $40 Million. Also know about Kenneth Downing, Jr. bio, salary, height, age weight, relationship and more …

Kenneth Downing, Jr. Wiki Biography

Kenneth Downing, Jr. was born on 27 October 1951, in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, and better known by his stage name K.K. Downing, he is a guitarist and songwriter, recognized as a founding member of the British heavy metal band Judas Priest.

A noted guitarist, how loaded is K.K. Downing? According to sources in early 2017, Downing has established a net worth of over $40 million; his assets include a home in Spain, and an estate in Astbury Hall in Shropshire, England, which includes a golf course. The main source of his wealth has been his involvement in Judas Priest.

Downing’s passion for music was born at an early age. After being kicked out of his home at 15, he left school shortly after and focused on playing guitar, being strongly influenced by the legendary Jimi Hendrix. He went to catering college and worked as trainee chef at a restaurant, but meantime , he formed a band with a cousin and a friend.

In 1969, he and his high school friend Ian Hill formed a heavy metal band called Judas Priest. With Downing on guitar and Hill on bass, the band added John Ellis on drums and Alan Atkins on vocals. Although the lineup changed several times over the next few years, Downing remained its acting leader, and the band went on to land numerous gigs across the UK, increasing their following. They eventually signed with the small UK label Gull, releasing their debut single “Rocka Rolla”, and then the same-titled album in 1974. However, the album was a failure and the band’s financial situation was desperate. Although their next album, the 1975 “Sad Wings Of Destiny” was an improvement on the debut, the band still struggled with finances.

However, signing with a major label, CBS Records, changed everything. Their 1977 album “Sin After Sin” was certified gold, then with the 1978 album “Killing Machine” and the 1979 live album “Unleashed in the East” which went platinum, the band’s popularity boosted. Their next album, the 1980 “British Steel” shot them to real success and fame, and extensive worldwide tours followed. They went on to release a number of successful albums. All contributed to Downing’s net worth.

Then in the early ’90s, the band became involved in a civil action following the suicide of two fans in 1985. They were accused of inciting the suicide through their songs, which the two fans were listening to prior to the incident. After a long court battle, they were found not guilty.

The band returned to recording in 1997 and went on to release several more albums and embark on worldwide tours. In 2011, prior to their “Epitah” tour, Downing decided to leave Judas Priest, due to many differences and conflicts within the band and the management. Judas Priest continued with Richie Faulkner as his replacement.

During Downing’s 40 years with the band, Judas Priest released several timeless metal anthems, selling more that 45 million albums. Downing, along with the band’s other guitarist Glenn Tipton, is credited for creating a distinctive guitar sound, setting the standards for heavy metal guitar playing. This enabled him to achieve the status of a star and to amass a sizable net worth.

A year after leaving Judas Priest, Downing participated in recording “Who Are You? An All Star Tribute to the Who”, a tribute album to the band The Who. Then in 2014, he launched his own business venture, The Astbury Fragrances LTD, to create and market a line of personal fragrances called “Metal”.

The guitarist later immersed himself in the game of golf, becoming the owner of a golf course. Reportedly, he plans to build a luxury hotel, spa and restaurant at his Astbury estate.

Speaking about his personal life, Downing was engaged to Sarah Lissimore from 1994 to 2001. Other than that, sources do not have any other details regarding his love life.

The guitarist is involved in philanthropy. He has held several charity events at his Astbury property.

IMDB Wikipedia “A Touch of Evil: Live” (2009) “British Steel” (1980) “Killing Machine” (1978) “Rocka Rolla” (1974) “Sad Wings Of Destiny” (1975) “Sin After Sin” (1978) “Unleashed in the East” (1979) $40 million Actor Alan Atkins Ian Hill John Ellis KK Downing Net Worth Richie Faulkner Sarah Lissimore

Kenneth Downing, Jr. Quick Info

Full Name K. K. Downing
Net Worth $40 Million
Date Of Birth October 27, 1951
Place Of Birth West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England
Profession Guitarist, songwriter, member of the British heavy metal band “Judas Priest”
Nationality British
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kkdowningsteelmill
Twitter https://twitter.com/metal4men?lang=en
Google+ https://plus.google.com/+KkdowningNetsteelmill
IMDB www.imdb.com/name/nm0236112
Allmusic www.allmusic.com/artist/kk-downing-mn0000356702
Awards English Grammy Award
Record Labels CBS Records, Columbia
Albums “Rocka Rolla” (1974), “Sad Wings Of Destiny” (1975), “Sin After Sin” (1978), “Killing Machine” (1978), “Unleashed in the East” (1979), “British Steel” (1980), “A Touch of Evil: Live” (2009)
Music Groups “Judas Priest” (1970-2011), “The Who”
Nominations “100 greatest metal guitarists” (Hit Parader’s list, Nr 23)
TV Shows Rockin’ Metal Revival” Internet radio show (2016), “Toys in the Attic” (2015), The Valley Radio’s talk-show (2012), The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2011), Reading Festival (1975)

Kenneth Downing, Jr. Important Facts

  • Retired from Judas Priest after performing with them for over 40 years. [April 2011]
  • Ex-guitarist in Judas Priest.

Kenneth Downing, Jr. Filmography

Title Year Status Character Role
Drugaí Marú II Short writer: “Turbo Lover” filming Soundtrack
Copycat 2016 writer: “Turbo Lover” Soundtrack
Revolution 2014 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Metalhead 2013 writer: “Victim Of Changes” Soundtrack
Dampfnudelblues 2013 writer: “Breaking the law” Soundtrack
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone 2013 writer: “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin” – as Kenneth Downing Soundtrack
Metal Evolution 2011 TV Series documentary writer – 3 episodes Soundtrack
Bad Teacher 2011 writer: “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” – as Kenneth Downing Soundtrack
United States of Tara 2011 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno 2011 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Guitar Hero: Van Halen 2009 Video Game writer: “Painkiller” Soundtrack
Brütal Legend 2009 Video Game writer: “Leather Rebel”, “One Shot at Glory”, “Painkiller”, “The Hellion / Electric Eye” Soundtrack
Madden NFL 2010 2009 Video Game writer: “Painkiller” Soundtrack
Nitro Circus 2009 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Adventureland 2009 writer: “Breaking the Law” Soundtrack
Remarkable Power 2008 writer: “Deal With The Devil”, “Judas Rising” – as Kenneth Downing Soundtrack
SingStar Amped 2007 Video Game writer: “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” Soundtrack
Full Metal Village 2006 Documentary writer: “Breaking The Law” Soundtrack
Prey 2006 Video Game writer: “You Got Another Thing Comin” Soundtrack
The Simpsons 2006 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Air Guitar Nation 2006 Documentary lyrics: “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” / music: “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'” Soundtrack
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories 2006 Video Game writer: “Electric Eye” Soundtrack
Guitar Hero 2005 Video Game writer: “You [sic] Got Another Thing Comin'” Soundtrack
Filthy Gorgeous: The Trannyshack Story 2005 Documentary writer: “Living After Midnight” Soundtrack
Gran Turismo 4 2004 Video Game writer: “Free Wheel Burning” – as Kenneth Downing Soundtrack
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City 2002 Video Game writer: “You’ve Got another Thing Comin'” Soundtrack
Ash Wednesday 2002 writer: “Deceiver” – as KK Downing Soundtrack
Run Ronnie Run 2002 writer: “Breaking the Law” Soundtrack
Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec 2001 Video Game writer: “Turbo Lover” Soundtrack
Bride of Chucky 1998 writer: “Bloodstained” – as Kenneth Downing Soundtrack
Beavis and Butt-Head 1993 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Heavy Metal Parking Lot 1986 Video documentary short lyrics: “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'”, “Living After Midnight”, “Turbo Lover”, “Heading Out to the Highway” / music: “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'”, “Living After Midnight”, “Turbo Lover”, “Heading Out to the Highway” Soundtrack
Cool Cats: 25 Years of Rock ‘n’ Roll Style 1983 Video documentary writer: “Victim of Changes” – uncredited Soundtrack
Top of the Pops 1980 TV Series writer – 3 episodes Soundtrack
Judas Priest Live: British Steel 2010 TV Movie Guitar, Vocals Actor
Metal Evolution 2011-2012 TV Series documentary Himself Self
Seven Ages of Rock 2007 TV Series documentary Himself Self
Gene Simmons: Family Jewels 2006 TV Series Himself Self
Judas Priest: Electric Eye 2003 Video Himself – guitar Self
Behind the Music 2001 TV Series documentary Self
Classic Albums: Judas Priest – British Steel 2001 Video documentary Himself Self
In a Metal Mood 1996 Documentary Himself Self
Dream Deceivers: The Story Behind James Vance vs. Judas Priest 1992 Documentary Himself (Judas Priest guitarist) Self