Book Review: 'Heavy Duty: Days and Nights in Judas Priest'

Today's post is from our friend HIM. He's helping us get our Amazon wishlists ready for the holiday season! And happy fall everyone. I dread the dark days but I do enjoy seeing the leaves change. Winter... now that's a season I hate! 

Review: Downing, K. K. (with Mark Eglinton). Heavy Duty: Days and Nights in Judas Priest. New York: Da Capo Press, 2018. 288 pages. Hardback $18.30; Kindle $14.99; Paperback $23.05.

 

The moment this book was announced, I pre-ordered it. In the months that followed, I grew increasingly worried. Interviews and online articles started to suggest that Heavy Duty would be a whine-fest. I feared that my opinion of the band, and of Downing, would take a hit.

 

Thankfully, this book is not a hatchet job. If anything, Downing writes with what seems both a happy and heavy heart. While he pulls no punches, Downing also doesn’t wade into unnecessarily salacious territory. If you want to know more about his business troubles, look elsewhere. As the title suggests, this is a book about him and his long tenure in Priest.

 

I always enjoy learning about a musician’s upbringing. Downing’s early years sound like a nightmare, largely as a consequence of his father’s erratic behavior. That he was able to rise above his circumstances speaks to Downing’s tenacity. It was also interesting to read about how he learned to play the guitar, a process in large part inspired by his love of Jimi Hendrix.

 

Downing’s discussion of Priest’s formation and their early years is filled with interesting anecdotes. You get a look into how the trio of Tipton, Halford, and Downing worked to craft their signature sound. Downing also leads you through the process by which a mish-mash of stylistic choices finally gave way to the ‘Metal Gods’ leather look to which we have become accustomed. You get the sense that the band, as a whole, celebrated their successes like most rock star would. These stories, while laced with the requisite amount of sex, alcohol, and drugs, are tame when compared to other rockers’ tomes. Nothing wrong with a little restraint when it comes to tales about an era of no restraint!

 

The areas that received the most attention pre-release—internal drama and Downing’s retirement--are dealt with in some detail. In fact, the level of detail provides a more balanced picture than the snippets that have been discussed in interviews and articles. He is perhaps too diplomatic when it comes to the issue of Dave Holland. Downing is a bit blasé when it comes to the ‘Ripper’ years and unduly critical of Rob Halford’s solo work. He is hurt that co-founder Ian Hill never came to his defense and, in fact, criticized him in the press. Downing has a less than favorable view of some of Glen Tipton’s personal and professional habits. He believes that Jayne Andrews, the band’s manager, led them down certain paths that have diluted Priest’s cache. Downing also regrets missed opportunities when it comes to Nostradamus (2008). He frames his decision to leave as decades-in-the-making, a case of small annoyances finally becoming insurmountable chasms within the band.

 

An obvious issue is how Downing equivocates about the band and his departure. On the one hand, he full well admits that he was too often willing to go along with things for the sake of band cohesion. On the other, he claims credit for steering the band in ways both subtle and explicit. There is likely more to his story that would help clarify these seeming contradictions. For whatever reason, Downing isn’t willing to dig a bit deeper. But he chooses to ends his book on a high note. He wishes the band continued success, while also acknowledging Tipton’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease. He also thanks his fans.

 

I am not sure what Eglinton brought to the table in terms of help with the finished product. A good co-writer would likely have fine-tuned some of the more glaring issues. For instance, there are points where the narrative doubles back without Downing acknowledging it. There are also cases where sentences go on far too long, or where turns of phrase are repeated too closely together.

 

Quibbles and concerns aside, this is a good—not great—book. If you are fan of Judas Priest, you will likely find the stories engaging. Downing’s tone, while at times conflicted, suggests a man both proud of and concerned with his, and his band’s, legacy.

Comments

[Kixchix]

Thanks Him. As a lifelong Priest fan, I look forward to reading this book.

Then I need to hear Rob Halfords story. What a read that will be. I’m happy and sad JP continues. I’m just plain sad KK is no longer in Priest.

Great review

[Metalboy!]

Great review, HIM!

I wish these guys could hug it out and have K.K. return. Hell, Halford himself left and he came back.

And look at other seminal acts where it’s happened ... Joe Perry, Ace Frehley, Peter Cross, Lindsay Buckingham, Roger Waters (granted, that was a one off at Live 8, but still, it happened), Slash and Tracii Guns, among others.

K.K. says he’ll take his old position to the left of Halford and Faulkner can assume Tipton’s role, something he could do in his sleep.

C’mon, Rob, do unto others what was done for you (or something like that)!

[Him]

Thanks, Kixchix and Metalboy! Glad I entertained two of you. It is an interesting read so long as you temper your expectations and recognize that this is only one man's--K.K.'s--story. I suspect there are more stories to tell in the Priest camp.