By
Larry Petro,
News Monkey
Wednesday, April 30, 2014 @ 4:08 PM
Original Vocalist To Carry On Into The Future With The Music He Helped Make Famous Along With Other Creative Endeavors
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More than thirty years after setting forth on the musical journey that would become known as QUEENSRYCHE, singer GEOFF TATE -- one of rock's quintessential front men and the lead vocalist heard on all QUEENSRYCHE hits -- will be performing his farewell tour as QUEENSRYCHE beginning in late July (see below for full itinerary).
The announcement of the tour, QUEENSRYCHE Starring Geoff Tate - The Farewell Tour, comes hot on the heels of the recent amicable settlement with his former band mates Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and Scott Rockenfield, who will be continuing with the band name.
With Geoff at the helm of QUEENSRYCHE, the band experienced incredible success, garnering four Grammy nominations, performing in 46 different countries and selling over 20 million albums worldwide.
"One thing that's really important for fans to know is that this never went to court," comments Geoff Tate, who will be continuing as Geoff Tate: The Voice of QUEENSRYCHE once the summer farewell tour is complete.
As part of the agreement between the original members, Geoff will have the exclusive right to perform the concept albums Operation: Mindcrime and Operation: Mindcrime II as unique performances.
For the past several months, Geoff and his version of QUEENSRYCHE (comprised of bassist Rudy Sarzo, guitarist Robert Sarzo, guitarist Kelly Gray, drummer Simon Wright and keyboardist Randy Gane) have been performing the fan favorite on their 25th Anniversary Mindcrime Tour (with special guest Sass Jordan as "Sister Mary") in front of sold out audiences everywhere.
"It's sort of similar to the PINK FLOYD situation where Roger Waters retained The Wall," comments Geoff. "Mindcrime was my thing and my story, so it's only appropriate that I keep that... The others will be touring as QUEENSRYCHE and I'll be continuing on as me."
The popularity of the theatrical back-to-back presentation of the Operation: Mindcrime saga (I & II) was exemplified when the performance was captured for the 2007 double DVD/CD set, Mindcrime At The Moore, that hit #1 on Billboard's Top Music DVD Chart and eventually reached gold status.
For the forthcoming tour, Geoff's version of QUEENSRYCHE will be performing all the hits along with some rarities to celebrate the music he's enjoyed making over the past thirty years.
Although the name will change, the line-up of stellar musicians performing with Geoff after this "farewell" tour is expected to remain the same.
Tickets go on sale for the majority of shows this Friday, May 2nd and this Saturday, May 3rd.
www.facebook.com/GeoffTateOfficial and www.twitter.com/GeoffTate.
QUEENSRYCHE Starring GEOFF TATE / 2014 Farewell Tour Dates
7.30 - Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach, California
7.31 - The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California
8.1 - Sycuan Casino in El Cajon, California
8.2 - House of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada
8.3 - The Canyon Club in Agoura, California
8.7 - Strummer's in Fresno, California
8.8 - Theatre Deville in Vacaville, California
8.9 - Downtown Amphitheater in Morgan Hill, California
8.12 - Music Marathon Works in Nashville, Tennessee
8.13 - Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, North Carolina
8.14 - The Chop Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina
8.15 - Ziggy's by the Sea in Wilmington, North Carolina
8.16 - Ziggy's in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
8.17 - Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia
8.19 - Trees in Dallas, Texas
8.20 - Aztec Theatre in San Antonio, Texas
8.22 - Rialto Theatre in Tucson, Arizona
8.23 - Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona
8.24 - Sunshine Theater in Albuquerque, New Mexico