From metal to 9-iron on KK's golf course

From growing up in a council house in Sandwell to his glittering career with Judas Priest, Ken Downing talks to Cathy Spencer about his life, his cooking and the golf course he's built in his own "back garden".

Ken Downing enjoys a peaceful game of golf just as much as thrashing his guitar in front of thousands of screaming fans.

Even thought the Judas Priest guitarist still loves his heavy metal career, he has decided to invest his money in creating a professional golf course at his home near Bridgnorth.

Yesterday the 57-year-old set off on tour with his band, who are touring with MTV favourites Whitesnake, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their landmark album British Steel.

"Going from living in West Bromwich to being in Judas Priest was a dramatic change and for a long time it was a struggle," says Ken, who is known to fans as KK.

"I didn't have a car until I was 27 and then suddenly everything clicked and we were playing in stadiums to thousands of people.

"I bought Astbury Hall, near Bridgnorth, in 1985 - things change in life and so you have to have other avenues to focus on."

Astbury Hall is set in the depths of rural Shropshire and is a far cry from the black leather, metal studs and the long flowing hair associated with Judas Priest.

"When people think of heavy metal they either think of Judas Priest or Black Sabbath and it is great that these two groups are both from the West Midlands," says Ken.

"This brought about a lot of interest in the Midlands - people became to realise that it was a breeding ground for hairy monsters," he says laughing.

"I know Ozzy (Osbourne), as we have toured together, and when we start speaking in our accents it is quite funny to hear."

Ken was born at his grandparents home in Dial Lane, Hill Top, and his parents had a council house on the Yew Tree estate in West Bromwich.

He went to Yew Tree Primary School and then Churchfield Comprehensive but says he has no plans of ditching his idyllic countryside retreat to return to West Bromwich.

"I remember when there used to be great shops in the famous 'golden mile', but now the wonderful shop fronts have disappeared," he says. "It is difficult to find a Black Country street that hasn't been ruined."

Ken knew fellow band member Ian Hill at school but he quit education at 15 to become a chef.

"Ian and I shared some classes and had friends in common," he says.

"It wasn't until we were interested in the music scene that we became good friends - we both enjoyed groups such as T-Rex and Blues Breakers.

"I left school and home at the age of 15 and got a job at the Lyttelton Arms in Hagley and went to catering college."

Ken says he loved cooking but had been bitten by the music bug and decided to buy an acoustic guitar.

"I put my fingers through a lot of pain trying to hold down the chords but I was always aspiring to be the next superstar," says Ken, who has two sisters and a brother.

"I got a bedsit on Lodge Road in West Bromwich and heard about a band called Judas Priest from Stone Cross.

"They were into blues music but their guitarist committed suicide and they needed someone to take his place."

To begin with Ken was turned down by the band but when they heard him and John Ellis rehearsing together they decided to take them both on.

The band formed in 1970 and, after a split of around 14 years, Judas Priest re-formed and are still playing to audiences of thousands.

They have sold more than 35 million albums and their latest, Nostradamus, is doing well.

They have recently completed a six-month world tour and, after their stint with Whitesnake, it will be two months before Ken returns to Shropshire and his 320 acres of golfing.

"Golf is a calming thing and I have played for a long time," he says.

"I've played golf all over the world on some of the best courses and I want something to match those.

"I'm not cutting corners.

"I'm aiming at golfers who are passionate about the game and appreciate five-star golf and a five-star clubhouse."

The course will host the Lord Taverners Charity Golf Competition in September, then will open to members of the public next year.

Ken has planning permission for 14 holiday lodges and eight three-bed barn conversions - all five-star of course - and eventually he says Astbury will be a haven for the businessman and his family.

"Things in life are only good if you can share them with someone and I get enjoyment out of seeing people enjoying themselves," says Ken.

"I bought it as a family home and even though that didn't happen I still want it to be a hive of activity.

"People that come here are going to be in a good frame of mind and it would be great to be surrounded by people like that."

Ken, who admits he is a perfectionist, says whether it's his music, his house and furnishings, or the golf course, it all has to be just right.

"I have done all the interior design in the house and I still love to cook," he says.

"I'm reluctant to go out to any restaurants because I don't want to sit there complaining.

"I love all foods and when I'm in a relationship I cook more elaborately."

But Ken's first passion is music and he is keen to help out local groups and singers.

He has passed Dudley singer Beth Sherburn's CD on to Sony and he is helping local heavy metal band Hostile from Wednesbury.

"It has been a long time since a heavy metal star emerged from the Black Country - I believe that now is the right time for it to happen again."