Formed in 1981 outside Seattle, Washington, Queensrÿche were one of the most artistic and creative of the hard rock bands during the decade, and released one of the most enduring and influential albums in the genre, Operation: Mindcrime, the story of a young man fed psychotropic mind-control drugs by the government that lead him to murder his girlfriend.
It was a concept album with a sweeping story arc, complex arrangements, socially conscious lyrics and snippets of sound effects and dialogue to carry listeners from song to song.
The album built on foundations laid on their very first EP, and the band’s follow-up – the more accessible, lighter Empire (August 1990) – secured their commercial success with the spin-off power ballad hit Silent Lucidity, a song that set Geoff Tate’s impressive vocal against a full orchestra.
During the 18 months following the release of Empire, the band toured non-stop, eventually coming off the road only out of pure exhaustion.
After taking time off for personal issues, the band re-emerged in 1994 but foundered in the wake of grunge.
Eventually, guitarist Chris DeGarmo left the band, but a reinvigorated Queensrÿche released Operation: Mindcrime II in 2006.
Geoff Tate
Vocals Chris DeGarmo
Guitar Michael Wilton
Guitar Eddie Jackson
Bass Scott Rockenfield
Drums
You May Also Like
Roaring Jack Sydney (Australia) folk-punk band Roaring Jack played an acidic blend of Celtic melodies propelled by a…
Misfits, The The Misfits were formed in New Jersey in 1977 by Jerry Only (born Gerald Caiafa) and Glenn…
Bodysnatchers, The Seven-piece all-girl ska/reggae band, The Bodysnatchers, were brought together in September 1979 by bass player Nicky…
Windbreakers, The This Mississippi-based power pop group was primarily comprised of the duo of singer/guitarists Tim Lee and…
Attila The Stockbroker After graduating from the University of Kent with a degree in French, this performance poet (born…
Talulah Gosh Formed in February 1986, Talulah Gosh were a guitar-pop group from Oxford, who formed because they…
Heaven 17 Glenn Gregory, the only son of a steelworker, was born in Sheffield and grew up on…
Painters & Dockers Formed in Melbourne in 1982, this eccentric Australian band was named after the militant Painters &…
