Queensrÿche

Queensrÿche ( /ˈkwiːnzraɪk/) is an American progressive heavy metal band formed in 1981 in Bellevue, Washington. The band has released eleven studio albums and several EPs and DVDs and continues to tour and record. The original lineup consisted of vocalist Geoff Tate, guitarist Chris DeGarmo, guitarist Michael Wilton, bassist Eddie Jackson and drummer Scott Rockenfield. Queensrÿche has been successful in the progressive scene, having sold over 20 million albums worldwide including over 6 million albums in the United States. The band received worldwide acclaim after the release of their 1988 album Operation: Mindcrime, which is often considered one of the greatest "concept albums" of all time. Their follow-up release, Empire was also very successful.

In 1997, guitarist and primary songwriter Degarmo left the band for personal reasons. Over the years, his replacements have included Kelly Gray, Mike Stone, and Parker Lundgren. In 2012, Wilton, Jackson and Rockenfield replaced Tate with Crimson Glory singer Todd La Torre, following a highly-publicized backstage altercation before a show in São Paulo, Brazil. In response to his dismissal, Tate and his wife Susan (who served as the band's manager from 2005-2012) filed a suit in a Washington court, claiming that he was wrongfully terminated. Until the band's court date in November 2013, both parties are allowed to use the name Queensrÿche; Tate has subsequently created his own lineup featuring former guitarist Gray and members from bands including Ratt and Whitesnake.