Queensryche Tickets

Queensryche
Queensr?che is a heavy/progressive metal band in Bellevue, Washington, near Seattle. The band was formed in 1981. Nine studio albums and an EP has been released by Queensryche. The band is enjoying its fame and is still touring and recording. The current lineup of the band includes Geoff Tate vocals (1981present), Michael Wilton guitar (1981present), Mike Stone guitar, vocals (2003present), Eddie Jackson (musician) bass guitar, vocals (1981present) and Scott Rockenfield drums (1981present). Former members include Chris DeGarmo guitar (19811998) and Kelly Gray guitar (19982001).

History
From The Mob to Queensr?che (early 1980s)

The foundations for Queensr?che can be traced in the early 1980s. Guitarist Michael Wilton and drummer Scott Rockenfield were members of a band called Cross Fire. They used to cover songs from popular heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Guitarist Chris DeGarmo and bassist Eddie Jackson added to the lineup of Cross Fire and the name of the band was changed to The Mob.There was no singer in The Mob. Thus, Geoff Tate was recruited to sing for them at a local rock festival. Tate was already in a band called Babylon at that time. Tate was able to perform a few shows with The Mob after the break up of his band Babylon. Tate was not interested in performing heavy metal. Therefore, he left The Mob.

In 1981, A demo tape was recorded by The Mob. Tate's help was sought again. Four songs were recorded by the group. These included "Queen of the Reich," "Nightrider," "Blinded" and "The Lady Wore Black." Their dome was failed to win the approval of any the labels.Tate also was still committed to staying in his then-current band, Myth.The Mob changed their name to Queensr?che at the recommendation of their new manager. They had the honor of being the first band to apply the heavy metal umlaut to the letter Y. The demo tape was widely circulated and received a glowing review in Kerrang! Magazine.

Queensr?che released their Queen of the Reich EP on their own 206 Records label in 1983. The success of the EP attracted Tate. He was finally agreed to join Queensr?che as their permanent lead singer. EMI signed the band the same year. Queen of the Reich was re-released. It peaked at #81 on the Billboard charts.

After DeGarmo (1998present)
Guitarist and producer Kelly Gray replaced DeGarmo. Gray's connections with Queensr?che went back to the early '80s, when he was the guitarist for Myth, Geoff Tate's previous band. Gray had also previously worked as a producer for bands such as Dokken and Candlebox. 1999's Q2K was Gray's first album with Queensr?che.It was also the first album for their new label, Atlantic Records. Q2K could not win the hearts of fans who felt that Gray's more bluesy style did not suit Queensr?che. Additionally, the band was forced to tour in clubs and theaters, rather than larger arenas and outdoor ampitheaters due to their declining popularity.

Queensr?che embarked on another tour after the release of a greatest hits collection in 2000. The tour was in support of the newly reunited Iron Maiden. The band was able to play Madison Square Garden for the first time. The lack of support they felt they received from Atlantic made them unhappy. Therefore,Queensr?che moved to Sanctuary Records in 2001.

A handful of dates were performed by the band at the Moore Theater in Seattle, Washington in July of that year. The shows were recorded and released in September 2001 as Live Evolution, the band's second live album.

In the spring of 2003, the band entered the studio as a quartet to record their eighth full-length album. Their first and only album of new material on the Sanctuary label, Tribe.was released by Queensr?che in July.

Mike Stone replaced Kelly Gray and accompanied the band on the Tribe tour as second guitarist to Michael Wilton's lead. A co-headlining tour featuring another popular progressive metal band, Dream Theater was launched by Queensr?che in June 2003. The opening and closing spots were alternated by the two bands. However, the shows were ended by playing a handful of songs together. The special guest for the tour was Fates Warning.