Tag: Todd La Torre
0 QUEENSRYCHE ink new record deal with Century Media
New album slated for release June 11
Band comprised Of Todd La Torre, Michael Wilton, Parker Lundgren, Eddie Jackson and Scott Rockenfield heading out on “Return To History World Tour”
Legendary Seattle rockers QUEENSRYCHE are poised to regain their place as hard rock/heavy metal royalty in 2013. The band has just signed a new label deal with Century Media for the release of their latest studio album. The album is slated for release on June 11 and marks the debut album from the lineup comprised of Todd La Torre (Vocals), Michael Wilton (Guitars), Parker Lundgren (Guitars), Eddie Jackson (Bass) and Scott Rockenfield (Drums). The band premiered a snippet from a new song called “Redemption” from the upcoming release on Eddie Trunk’s radio show on February 22. The 90-second snippet can be viewed below!
QUEENSRYCHE join Century Media’s diverse roster comprised of some of music’s most recognizable talent, including IN FLAMES, IN THIS MOMENT, LACUNA COIL and ARCH ENEMY to name a few.
“QUEENSRYCHE is excited to begin writing this next chapter of our career with Century Media. Their passion and love for music has been apparent since early discussions and we are pleased to call them partners on this journey,” states bassist Eddie Jackson. “We are also thankful for all of the fans who have supported us from day one and helped us get to where we are today. Todd, Scott, Parker, Michael and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for each and every one of you.”
QUEENSRYCHE will also be heading out on their “Return To History World Tour” this March and April. The tour kicks off on March 5th in Dubuque, IA and makes stops in 9 different countries wrapping up on April 26th in the Netherlands. The band will also be taking to the high seas on this year’s “Monsters Of Rock Cruise” and “Sweden Rock Cruise.” The 23 date trek will make stops in New York, Tennessee and Florida as well as in Canada, United Kingdom and Germany amongst others. Tickets for all shows are currently on sale.
QUEENSRYCHE first burst onto the music scene in 1982 with the release of their self-titled 4 song EP Queensrÿche. They very quickly gained international recognition and performed to sold-out audiences around the world. With the follow up first full-length album The Warning in 1984, and the ground breaking 1986 release of Rage For Order, QUEENSRYCHE continued to prove their worldwide dominance as one of the most respected and creative bands of the 80’s. In 1988 the band turned out yet another monumental album Operation: Mindcrime, which would go on to become one of the TOP 10 best selling concepts records of all time, and set the stage for continued sold out performances around the world. With the release of the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Empire in 1991, the band earned multiple Grammy Award nominations and won the MTV “viewers choice” award for the #1 chart topping hit “Silent Lucidity”. During the next ten years, the band continued to release albums and tour the world to sold-out audiences. QUEENSRYCHE has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and have continued to break new ground and push their creative process.
QUEENSRYCHE online:
“Return To History World Tour 2013”
Mar 5–Dubuque, IA–Diamond Jo Casino
Mar 7–Toronto, ON–Phoenix Concert Theatre
Mar 8–Englewood, NJ–Bergen Performing Arts Center
Mar 9–Jim Thorpe, PA–Penn’s Peak
Mar 10–Patchogue, NY–The Emporium
Mar 12–Nashville, TN–Wildhorse Saloon
Mar 14–Biloxi, MS–Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Mar 15–Tampa, FL–Ritz Ybor
Mar 16–Fort Lauderdale, FL–Monsters Of Rock Cruise
Mar 22–Orlando, FL–House Of Blues
Mar 23–Raleigh, NC–Longbranch
Mar 30–Uncasville, CT–Mohegan Sun Casino
Apr 6–Regina, SK–Casino Regina Show Lounge
Apr 11–Stockholm, SWE–Sweden Rock Cruise
Apr 13–Oulu, FIN–Club Teatria
Apr 14–Mons, BEL–Power Prog & Metal Festival @ Lotto Mons Expo
Apr 15–London, UK–O2 Academy
Apr 17–Nottingham, UK–Rock City
Apr 18–Manchester, UK–The Ritz
Apr 19–Dublin, IRE–The Academy Dublin
Apr 20–Duisburg, GER–Gluckaufhalle
Apr 21–Ludwigsburg, GER–Rockfabrik
Apr 23–Aaburg, SWI–Moonwalker
Apr 24–Munchen, GER–Theaterfabrik
Apr 26–Eindhoven, NET–Effennar
Other confirmed 2013 tour dates:
Jul 18–Oshkosh, WI–Rock USA Festival
Jul 19–Springville, IN–ABATE of Indiana “Boogie”
Jul 20–Erie, PA–Roar on the Shore Biker Rally
Aug 2–Sturgis, SD–The Sturgis Buffalo Chip
0 Geoff Tate Leaves Queensryche; Todd La Torre is Queensryche’s New Singer
Rock band Queensryche is continuing forward without vocalist Geoff Tate, who will be replaced by Crimson Glory singer Todd La Torre, Billboard has exclusively learned.
“Over the past few months, there have been growing creative differences within Queensryche. We want our fans to know that we hoped to find a common resolution, but in the end parting ways with Geoff was the best way for everyone to move forward in a positive direction,” drummer Scott Rockenfield said in a statement. “We wish him the best of luck with all of his future endeavors. We can’t wait to bring Queensryche to our fans with Todd behind the microphone.”
The statement also said that scheduled Queensryche performances “are on hold at [the] present time and revised routing is being worked on. Fans can check the band’s website for all of the latest tour information as it [becomes] available.”
Billboard requested a comment from Tate through Jeff Albright of the Albright Entertainment Group, but it wasn’t received by press time.
Queensryche also includes guitarists Michael Wilton and Parker Lundgren and bassist Eddie Jackson. Rockenfield, Wilton and Jackson are among the group’s original members. Tate joined the band after it formed in 1981. Guitarist and founding member Chris DeGarmo left Queensryche in 1997 and briefly rejoined in 2003 for Queensryche’s “Tribe” album. Kelly Gray originally filled DeGarmo’s slot, followed by Mike Stone, until Lundgren joined in 2009.
La Torre said in a statement a few weeks ago, and reiterated during an interview on Ron Keel’s “Streets of Rock & Roll” radio show that was posted online on June 14, that he still remains a member of Crimson Glory.
Fans and media have speculated about the state of Queensryche, which marked its 30th anniversary last year, for weeks due to rumors of internal conflict. They were sparked by an unconfirmed posting on MetalSludge.tv that Tate allegedly became violent toward other bandmates prior to an April show in Brazil after allegedly being fired. Then, during the Rocklahoma fest during Memorial Day weekend, Tate told the crowd “you guys suck” as he tried to get the audience to respond more enthusiastically.
On May 29 the other members of Queensryche announced it was forming a project called Rising West with La Torre. Rising West posted June 5 on its Facebook page that it was “being denied access to our own Facebook page and website (meaning Queensryche),” which promoted other side projects, such as Tate’s wine business and Rockenfield’s recording endeavors. In response, Tate’s step-daughter, Miranda, posted June 7 on Facebook that “it’s about time to get some truth on the table” and denied that other members couldn’t access the site, among other alleged problems. Rising West played Queensryche’s older material at two sold-out shows June 8-9 at Seattle’s Hard Rock Cafe.
In subsequent interviews, Rising West and Tate deflected questions about the situation. When Rising West appeared June 7 on KISM Seattle radio show “The Men’s Room,” Rockenfield said it was “a day-to-day” process as Queensryche determined its next move, but the band would definitely continue. Blabbermouth.net reported that during a June 15 interview on KISW, Tate said, “Just hang in there. Everything’s moving along and everything’s looking good” regarding the group.
Queensryche was scheduled to perform June 11 to open for the Scorpions in West Valley City, Utah, but only Tate appeared, backed by his solo band. NRToday.com reported June 18 that Queensryche had canceled its Aug. 10 appearance at the Douglas County Fair in Oregon, with Eddie Money replacing the act. It stated that fairgrounds director Harold Phillips attributed the cancellation to a falling out between Tate and the band. Tate has continued playing dates on his solo tour, which coincided with Queensryche’s dates for its current tour.
Queensryche is a Grammy Award-nominated band that broke into the mainstream with the 1988 concept album “Operation: Mindcrime.” The group has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, according to the statement. It’s biggest U.S. radio hit was 1991’s “Silent Lucidity,” which reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
11 From The Ashes of Queensryche Comes Rising West!
I knew there were issues in the Queensryche camp, but this news comes as a bit of a surprise. Thanks to @NickinDallas for the tip!
On Friday June 8th and Saturday June 9th, the core members of Queensryche will debut their new band “Rising West” at the Hard Rock Café in Seattle WA. Rising West features Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield, and Parker Lundgren of Queensryche, with powerhouse vocalist Todd La Torre of Crimson Glory. The band will be performing rare and classic hits from the first 5 Queensryche albums and plan on hitting the studio sometime early summer to begin recording their first release.
So what does Todd La Torre sound like? Check out this clip!
