Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner Interview: We Hoped We Have Shaped Heavy Metal and Inspired Musicians

By: Rob Cavuoto

Truer words could not have been spoken. Not many bands have shaped heavy metal like the British band Judas Priest. With Glenn Tipton and KK Downing on dueling guitar, Ian Hill on bass and the Metal God, Rob Halford on vocals, they have forged the metal scene since the ‘70s. The band’s unique style of wearing S&M leather and writing thunderous anthems have ignited and influenced four generations of musicians. With such hits as “Breaking the Law,” “Living After Midnight” and “Hot Rockin,” it’s no wonder.

All the more reason it came as a shock to metal heads worldwide when the band announced they would be embarking on their farewell “Epitaph Tour.” Just as big of a blow to fans was the departure of lead guitarist and founding member KK Downing. Rumors circulated and fans speculated on what was going on in the Priest camp and if this was truly the end to one of the greatest metal bands of all time.

While on a break from their US leg of their tour, I had the chance to sit with guitarist Glenn Tipton and newest member Richie Faulkner (replacing KK) in New York to clear the air on all the rumors, what lie head for the band, and to discuss their latest release, a greatest hits CD entitled; The Chosen Few. Hopefully metal heads can now breathe a sigh of relief when they hear that their idols are re-energized and plan to make more new music.

Glenn Tipton Photo: Rob Cavuoto

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Rob Cavuoto: Tell me about Richie Faulkner joining the band and the audition process involved?

Glenn Tipton: We originally approached another guitarist and he was very honest and told us he didn’t think he fit the bill. So we asked him if he knew any great guitar players and he recommended Richie.

We emailed Richie and he didn’t get back to us. In actuality, he thought our requests were a prank. We eventually got in touch with him and he came up to my house to show me what he could do.

He started to play and straightaway I thought we had our guy. I asked him to work on a few Priest songs and to send me a tape to see what his take was. It couldn’t have been better. He does his own thing to our songs and it fits perfectly into what we do. I don’t know who would be here if we didn’t find Richie. I immediately liked him as a person, which is very important in this band. It’s not just about playing, but getting along as well.

Rob: Tell me what Richie brings to the band?

Glenn Tipton: We’ve only been playing together for less than six months but every night live, Richie changes the songs up a bit by adding his own licks here and there. We are still learning from each other. We are also learning visual things, so there is more impact on the audience. It’s not all about playing the guitar on stage; it’s about presences, being at the right place at the right time, giving the band visual strength.

Rob: The auditions were an extremely well-kept secret, how did you manage to do that?

Glenn Tipton: We didn’t do anything immediately when KK told us that he wanted to retire. We assumed he would change his mind, but he was adamant. At that point we already announced our farewell tour. Also, we didn’t ask that many guitarists to come down, maybe two or three people and we asked them to be discrete. Also, it wasn’t a process that went on for a long period of time.

Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner Photo: Rob Cavuoto

Rob: Tell me why you thought the emails were a hoax and what it felt like to be asked to audition for Priest?

Richie Faulkner: I got two emails which I deleted as they said Judas Priest and I assumed they were spam. On top of that the guitarist, who had recommended me, gave Glenn my old phone number, so they had trouble with that too. Finally Iron Maiden’s production person got them the right number to reach me. When the call came, I never consider that sort of scenarios to occur and thought it was a joke. Obviously it wasn’t and we went on from there.

Rob: What did you do to prepare for the audition?

Richie Faulkner: I had been in cover bands before and we did a few Priest numbers. I went to meet with Glenn the day after I got the call so I really didn’t have time to prepare. I was confident that I knew enough though. So when I went down there, I played a few licks as well as a few bits and pieces of other songs. Glenn asked me to learn three Priest songs from their set which are big KK solos like “Victim of Changes,” “Blood Red Skies” and “Beyond the Realms of Death.”

Rob: What was the thing that tipped the scales in Richie’s favor?

Glenn Tipton: He is an amazing guitar player. He knew exactly what to do and knew what was right for the band, yet provided his take on our songs. We wanted the band to sound the same and wanted to give Richie the freedom to do his own thing. That might not have worked with most players.

Rob: When interpreting what KK played on all the Priest records how much are you staying true to his parts and how much is your own spin?

Richie Faulkner: I’m a fan myself, so I know what is expected. Yet as a musician you have to put your own stamp on it. KK would also do things differently live than what he played on the records. Of course there are certain solos that you have to you keep the same. I change things up where I feel it’s appropriate. They weren’t looking for a KK clone.

Rob: Do you think that the casual fan may think Richie is KK, as they both look similar?

Glenn Tipton: I’m sure there will be a small percent of people who might not be aware that KK left. I think in general that the news of KK’s departure spread like wildfire. Richie has performed and won over the fans. The criteria wasn’t visual, we really didn’t know what Richie looked like until he turned up.

Glenn Tipton Photo: Rob Cavuoto

Rob: Do you foresee KK coming back at any point?

Glenn Tipton: Ken has made it quite clear that he has retired from the music business. Richie has made a massive commitment to this band and has worked very hard.

Rob: What has been the most incredible aspect of being in Priest?

Richie Faulkner: I don’t think you can put one thing on it. Aside from the fact that you play amazing songs every night with amazing musicians to amazing fans, you can’t put your finger on one thing. It’s everything you would image it to be. If you could dream of joining one of your favorite bands and then it happens.

Rob: Was there any challenges in getting Priest ready for the Epitaph World Tourwith a new member?

Glenn Tipton: I told Richie if he has any questions he can ask me. Turns out he knew the songs better than me, particularly on the older ones. [Laughing] He did his homework and is a quick learner.

Rob: What are the band’s plans to record a new CD?

Glenn Tipton: Rob and I started writing last January and February. We have eight to ten strong ideas with four almost complete. We now want to work with Richie, and the prospect of developing new material with him. I can see more than one LP in our future and the ideas we have already been changing with Richie’s input. It’s a whole new area and I’m not sure how it’s going to work out, but from what I’ve heard with Richie’s playing I’m really optimistic and excited that we will come up with some great music.

There is a lot of life left in the band. I know we have talked about this being our farewell tour, but it’s really a farewell tour of the planet! It doesn’t mean that we are playing our last shows. We have a lot of energy. It’s very difficult to give up. If the band was offered a string of dates, I’m sure we will consider them. We still have some shelf life left.

Rob: The songs that you have already worked up, what style of Priest are they in?

Glenn Tipton: They are what people would want from us. There will be a couple of anthems that will be a thank you to our fans for being so loyal thought-out the years. It’s our gesture to our fans to thank them in the best way we can…through our songs.

Rob: On your new greatest hits CD, The Chosen Few, how did the concept come about to have other famous metal musicians pick their favorite Priest songs?

Glenn Tipton: We spoke to the record company about it and just felt it was a good idea. These are the musicians that we have a lot of respect for from Ozzy to Lemmy of Motorhead to Joe Elliot of Def Leppard. It’s cool to read the liner notes to understand why it’s their favorite Priest song. Priest can be what you want it to be and struck a chord in people’s lives.

Whether a song got them through a good or bad time in their life, helped them overcome a break-up or a new romance it’s an interesting take on what it meant to them. The comments are interesting and make the songs interesting through these musicians.

Rob: Do you have a favorite Priest song and LP?

Richie Faulkner: Favorite song would have to be “Victim of Changes” and favorite LP I would have to go back to Defenders of the Faith. “Turbo Lover” and “Blood Red Skies” becomes a different animal when we play them live and I love them too.

Rob: Looking back over your career in Priest what was the most important thing that you have learned?

Glenn Tipton: Right from the word “Go” I learned that’s it’s important to be yourself and have your own style and nurture it, to be proud of it as a guitar player and as a band member. You can fall into the trap of listening to other bands and subconsciously copying them. Always try to be true to yourself and be proud of what you do.

Rob: When it’s all said and done and you all do finally retire, what do you want Judas Priest to be remembered for?

Glenn Tipton: I would hope to think that we shaped heavy metal and helped it evolved over the years as well as inspiring people along the way. That is what I would be most proud of.

Glenn Tipton Photo: Rob Cavuoto