Original Queensrÿche singer Geoff Tate will be performing his farewell tour as "Queensrÿche," beginning in late July (see below for full itinerary).
The announcement of the tour,
Queensrÿche 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 Tate at the helm of Queensrÿche, 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," Tate remarked, who will be continuing as
Geoff Tate: The Voice of Queensrÿche once the summer farewell tour is complete.
As part of the agreement between the original members, Tate will have the exclusive right to perform the concept albums
Operation: Mindcrime and
Operation: Mindcrime II as unique performances.
For the past several months, Tate and his version of Queensrÿche (featuring 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.
Although the name will change, the lineup of stellar musicians performing with Tate after this "farewell" tour is expected to remain the same.
Tickets go on sale for the majority of shows this Friday (May 2nd) and Saturday (May 3rd).
QUEENSRYCHE STARRING GEOFF TATE / 2014 FAREWELL TOUR DATES
Wednesday, July 30 - Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach, California
Thursday, July 31 - The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California
Friday, August 1 - Sycuan Casino in El Cajon, California
Saturday, August 2 - House of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada
Sunday, August 3 - The Canyon Club in Agoura, California
Thursday, August 7 - Strummer's in Fresno, California
Friday, August 8 - Theatre Deville in Vacaville, California
Saturday, August 9 - Downtown Amphitheater in Morgan Hill, California
Tuesday, August 12 - Music Marathon Works in Nashville, Tennessee
Wednesday, August 13 - Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, North Carolina
Thursday, August 14 - The Chop Shop in Charlotte, North Carolina
Friday, August 15 - Ziggy's by the Sea in Wilmington, North Carolina
Saturday, August 16 - Ziggy's in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Sunday, August 17 - Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia
Tuesday, August 19 - Trees in Dallas, Texas
Wednesday, August 20 - Aztec Theatre in San Antonio, Texas
Friday, August 22 - Rialto Theatre in Tucson, Arizona
Saturday, August 23 - Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona
Sunday, August 24 - Sunshine Theater in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Tuesday, August 26 - The Depot in Salt Lake City, Utah
Thursday, August 28 - The Cotillion in Wichita, Kansas
Saturday, August 30 - Tailgaters in Bolingbrook, Illinois