Geoff Tate’s Queensrÿche On Tour In 2013

This excursion is with the version starring longtime singer Geoff Tate, and is hitting the road to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the band’s 1988 release, Operation: Mindcrime.

The band features bassist Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne/Quiet Riot/Whitesnake/Dio), drummer Bobby Blotzer (Ratt), guitarist Kelly Gray (Queensrÿche/Myth), and keyboardist Randy Gane (Myth) with special guest appearances.

The 2013 tour begins April 6 in West Wendover, Nev., at the Peppermill Concert Hall and dates go to April 21 at San Francisco’s Fillmore. Cities on the routing include Denver; Las Vegas;  Albuquerque, N.M.; Tucson, Ariz.; San Diego and Los Angeles.
 
“It’s great to be performing with all of these guys who have been true friends for years,” Geoff said. “Kelly, Randy and I formed Myth more than 30 years ago and I’ve known Rudy and Bobby for several years as well. I think we are all inspired by the collaboration and couldn’t be more excited to bring it to our fans next year.”
 
Here’s the dealio: until further notice, there are two bands named Queensrÿche. One has Geoff Tate and rights to the website (Queensryche.com), another has original members with a new singer. They’re both on the road next year, and there will likely be some kind of court decision in the fall. 
 
It’s a long, sordid tale that includes arguments over management and performance material. Oddly enough, Tate was once accused of not wanting to perform the classic material, yet a classic album is the theme of the upcoming tour.
 
There’s also a bit of back-and-forth about what constitutes a founding member because Tate was fronting Myth when the rest of the band brought him on board. We suppose we’ll leave it up to the Queensrÿche fans to decide what constitutes a founding member. And the Queensrÿche fans can chime in, too. Talk amongst yourselves.