In a new interview with Jonathan of Are You Ready, JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Kenneth 'K.K.' Downing reflected on the band's induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Asked if being honored meant something to him, Downing replied: Yes.

At the end of the day, I have to say now, having gone there and experienced the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and all of its grandiose production and theater and everything, that I think that it's great.

It's great to have that accolade, and it's something to hold because when you get to a certain time of life, I think it's unique… Maybe just BLACK SABBATH and JUDAS PRIEST have been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame of hardcore metal bands, so now hopefully again that can pave the way for all of the other great bands who you know to also be inducted as well, bands that deserve to be inducted, all of the other bands.

And so hopefully we will see eventually ACCEPT, SAXON and all of the other metal bands that we've known and loved and grown up with, eventually that they can be in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame too.

Downing also spoke about being asked to participate in JUDAS PRIEST's 50th-anniversary tour but declined due to personal issues within the band.

He explained: Well, it's a situation now where age is a factor, a major factor for all of us.

At the moment, unfortunately, Glenn [Tipton] is not able to participate.

I think with Rob [Halford], Ian [Hill], Scott [Travis] and myself, I think that we're all okay, but I don't know.

I know Rob had some issues with cancer, but I think he's okay now.

But I think that it's getting very late in the day.

But I think the situation is, unfortunately, that with Rob, Ian and the guys in JUDAS PRIEST now, it's absolutely not what they want.

And so that is the situation.

Downing also addressed his complicated history with Glenn Tipton and Jayne Andrews within the band.

He reflected: Well, I think what he said in the documentary was simple and straightforward and eloquent, that he wasn't feeling certain things.

When you go to work with music, you really have to wanna get on that stage...

You can't hold anything back.

You have to be there for the right reasons.

If you're not up there for the right reasons, then you don't really have the right to be on that stage.