Geoff Tate Announces Farewell Queensrÿche Tour

Now that the two Queensrÿche camps have settled who owns the moniker, the former singer is saying goodbye to his old band’s name by announcing dates for an outing dubbed “Queensrÿche Starring Geoff Tate – The Farewell Tour.”

As we reported Monday, a joint statement was released saying that an agreement had been reached between Tate and his former bandmates – Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and Michael Wilton. The three original members, who have been performing with a new singer, “will now be the sole entity recording and touring as Queensrÿche.”

Photo: Rod Tanaka / www.tanakaphoto.com
Gothic Theatre, Englewood, Colo.

Before we get to the dates for the “Farewell Tour,” we should point out that Tate doesn’t plan on bidding adieu to the Queensrÿche name entirely. Following the summer excursion, the singer will be billed on future performances as “Geoff Tate: The Voice Of Queensrÿche.” And as we noted in in Monday’s post, Tate gets exclusive rights to perform the Operation: Mindcrime I and II in their entirety.

“One thing that’s really important for fans to know is that this never went to court,” Tate said. The singer, who fronted the heavy metal band for 30 years, added, “It’s sort of similar to the Pink Floyd situation where Roger Waters retained The Wall. Mindcrime was my thing and my story, so it’s only appropriate that I keep that. … The others will be touring as Queensrÿche and I’ll be continuing as me.”

As for the farewell outing, the setlist will include “all the hits along with some rarities.” Tate’s band, who he’s been playing with for several months, is expected to keep the same lineup – bassist Rudy Sarzo, guitarist Robert Sazo, guitarist Kelly Gray, drummer Simon Wright and keyboardist Randy Gane. The “25th Anniversary Mindcrime Tour” has also featured special guest Sass Jordan as “Sister Mary.”

Here’s the itinerary for “Queensrÿche Starring Geoff Tate – The Farewell Tour”:

July 30 – Hermosa Beach, Calif., Saint Rocke         
July 31 – San Juan Capistrano, Calif., The Coach House     
Aug. 1 – El Cajon, Calif., Sycuan Live & Up Close
Aug. 2 – Las Vegas, Nev., House Of Blues 
Aug. 3 – Agoura Hills, Calif., Canyon Club
Aug. 7 – Fresno, Calif., Strummer’s 
Aug. 8 – Vacaville, Calif., Theatre Deville   
Aug. 9 – Morgan Hill, Calif., Downtown Morgan Hill        
Aug. 12 – Nashville, Tenn., Marathon Music Works
Aug. 13 – Raleigh, N.C., Lincoln Theatre    
Aug. 14 – Charlotte, N.C., The Chop Shop 
Aug. 15 – Wilmington, N.C., Ziggy’s By The Sea   
Aug. 16 – Winston-Salem, N.C., Ziggy’s     
Aug. 17 – Atlanta, Ga., Center Stage Theater          
Aug. 19 – Dallas, Texas, Trees         
Aug. 20 – San Antonio, Texas, The Aztec Theater  
Aug. 22 – Tucson, Ariz., Rialto Theatre       
Aug. 23 – Scottsdale, Ariz., Talking Stick Resort    
Aug. 24 – Albuquerque, N.M., Sunshine Theatre    
Aug. 26 – Salt Lake City, Utah, The Depot 
Aug. 28 – Wichita, Kan., The Cotillion        
Aug. 30 – Bolingbrook, Ill., Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill

Onsales for select dates begin Friday, May 2.

For more information visit Queensryche.com.

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