Share of heavy metal band’s royalties up for sale by administrators

A share of the royalties from the back catalogue of West Bromwich heavy metal band Judas Priest is up for sale by administrators.

The interest in royalty rights to 136 Judas Priest tracks was held by Ken Downing Ltd – the eponymous company of founding member KK Downing – which collapsed into administration last October.

FRP Advisory partners Alastair Massey and Steve Stokes were also appointed as administrators over three companies related to Shropshire country hall and golf course, Astbury Hall.

The share of the back-catalogue owned by Ken Downing Limited currently generates between £250,000 and £300,000 in income per annum, and includes the tracks Breaking The Law, Living After Midnight and Painkiller.

Although Downing left the band in 2011, Judas Priest is currently in the middle of a world tour, promoting new album Firepower which debuted at the number 5 spot in Billboard’s top 200 list in March.

Joint Administrator Alastair Massey, commented: “Ken Downing was a founding member of Judas Priest, and was one of the driving influences of the band’s work up to his departure in 2011.

“As part of the administration process we are selling the rights owned by Ken Downing Limited to 136 tracks, which provide a unique investment opportunity.”