The Kelly Gray Era (1998-2001)

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In 1998, Kelly Gray, the former guitarist of Myth, a Seattle band Geoff Tate was in prior to joining Queensrÿche, stepped in for Queensrÿche's departed primary songwriter and guitarist, Chris DeGarmo.

For those familiar with the history of Seattle's metal scene, the reunion of Tate and Gray seemed like the perfect fit. In the early 1980s, Myth was known in the Seattle area as a promising young progressive hard rock band, with Kelly's guitar playing reminded many of a young Richie Blackmore clone. Myth was working on original songs to get a record deal when Queensrÿche scored a record deal with its EP (featuring Tate on lead vocals), and Tate left to be with Queensrÿche full time. Tate's departure resulted in Myth disbanding a couple of years later.

Although many fans didn't know Gray as a guitar player, Kelly's reputation as a stellar record producer with acts such as Brother Cane and Candlebox had gotten Queensrÿche's attention in 1997. Prior to DeGarmo leaving the band, Queensrÿche had tapped Gray as the producer for the follow-up to Hear in the Now Frontier.

With Kelly on board wearing the hats of guitarist, songwriter, and producer, the band began writing what would become Q2k. In fact, according to guitarist Michael Wilton, during his first jam session with Kelly, they came up with the music to "The Right Side of My Mind." To introduce Gray to fans, Queensrÿche played a private show for fan club members on January 16, 1999, at NAF Studios (essentially just a rehearsal space) in Seattle. That fall, Q2k was released, kicking off a world tour that would last through the spring 2000.

Unfortunately, the "new" version of Queensrÿche received a huge backlash from the majority of the band's fanbase. Gray's modern style of playing was quite different than the "Blackmore Clone" who played in Myth with Tate. Kelly's blues/grunge influences, and reliance on the wah pedal for intricate parts did not sit well with audiences used to the technical precision and attention to detail that Queensrÿche's music had been known for.

Ultimately, while Queensrÿche received a lot of attention while opening for Iron Maiden in 2000, after recording a live album ("Live Evolution"), and touring to support it in 2001, Kelly left the band. His last show as a guitarist in Queensrÿche was November 21, 2001 at the Beacon Theater in New York City, N.Y.

There have been many rumors and tidbits of information about what constituted Kelly's departure from Queensrÿche. Poor reception by the fans likely contributed to it, but Geoff Tate revealed another possible reason in the liner notes of Q2k (the expanded and remastered edition of 2006):

"We were in a brand-new world, Kelly's world … Kelly lived hard and fast, and the people around him were the same. I have personally never seen as many drugs and as much alcohol consumed as when Kelly was in the band …The toll of indulgence was heavy. The band wasn't speaking, the new manager was fired, we were looking for a new record company, and three of our friends were dead. Road life is tough. It's not for everyone, and some people can't pace themselves, and then they get into trouble."

Kelly remains connected with Queensrÿche through drummer Scott Rockenfield. The pair formed the band Slave to the System in 2001 with Kelly's guitar tech, Scotty Heard, Brother Cane vocalist/guitarist Damon Johnson, and bassist Roman Glick.

Releases

Q2k (1999)

Live Evolution CD/DVD (2001)

Special Interviews

"Coming Full-Circle with Kelly Gray" Q&A - June 2001

Photos

Q2k Promo Shot 1

Q2k Era Promo Shot 2

Live Evolution Era Promo Shot

Tour Dates

The Electric Shockwaves (Q2k) Tour (1999-2000)

DATE	LOCATION	VENUE
January 16, 1999	Seattle, WA	NAF Studios (fan club show)
October 27, 1999	Boise, ID	Bank of America
October 29, 1999	Las Vegas, NV	The Joint
October 30, 1999	Las Vegas, NV	The Joint
November 1, 1999	Seattle, WA	Paramount Theater
November 3, 1999	Spokane, WA	Spokane Opera House
November 4, 1999	Portland, OR	Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
November 6, 1999	San Jose, CA	San Jose States Events Center
November 7, 1999	Los Angeles, CA	Universal Ampitheater
November 9, 1999	San Diego, CA	Cox Arena
November 10, 1999	Mesa, AZ	Mesa Ampitheater
November 12, 1999	Salt Lake City, UT	E Center of West Valley
November 13, 1999	Denver, CO	Fillmore Auditorium
November 14, 1999	Albuquerque, NM	Kiva Auditorium
November 16, 1999	El Paso, Texas	Don Haskins Center
November 18, 1999	San Antonio, Texas	Majestic Theater
November 19, 1999	Dallas, Texas	Bronco Bowl
November 20, 1999	Houston, Texas	Aerial Theater
November 21, 1999	New Orleans, LA	House of Blues
November 23, 1999	Kansas City, MO	Memorial Hall
November 24, 1999	St. Louis, MO	American Theater
November 26, 1999	Chicago, IL	The Riviera
November 27, 1999	Milwaukee, WI	Riverside Theater
November 28, 1999	Minneapolis, MN	Roy Wilkens Auditorium
November 30, 1999	Detroit, MI	State Theater
December 2, 1999	New York City, NY	Beacon Theater
December 3, 1999	Boston, MA	Orpheum Theater
December 4, 1999	Wallingford, CT	Oakdale Theater
December 5, 1999	Providence, RI	Lupo's
December 7, 1999	Toronto, Ont., CANADA	The Warehouse
January 13, 2000	Bremen, GERMANY	Pier 2
January 14, 2000	Berlin, GERMANY	Columbiahalle
January 16, 2000	Hamburg, GERMANY	The Docks
January 17, 2000	Hamburg, GERMANY	The Docks
January 20, 2000	Ludwigshafen, GERMANY	Ebert Hall
January 21, 2000	Stuttgart, GERMANY	Boblingen Sporthalle
January 22, 2000	Zurich, SWITZERLAND	Volkshaus
January 24, 2000	Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC	Stvanice Sports Hall
January 25, 2000	Nuremberg, GERMANY	Furth Stadhalle
January 26, 2000	Munich, GERMANY	Zenith Colosseum
January 27, 2000	Milan, ITALY	Alcatraz
January 29, 2000	Neu Isenburg, GERMANY	Hugenottenhalle
January 30, 2000	Koln, GERMANY	Palladium
February 2, 2000	Brussels, BELGIUM	Ancienne Belguique
February 3, 2000	Rotterdam, HOLLAND	Ahoy
February 4, 2000	Paris, FRANCE	Elysee Montmartre
February 6, 2000	London, UK	Brixton Academy
February 7, 2000	Manchester, UK	Apollo
February 25, 2000	Cleveland, Ohio	Agora Metropolitan
February 26, 2000	Columbus, Ohio	Newport Music Hall
February 27, 2000	Indianapolis, IN	Egyptian Ballroom
February 29, 2000	Peoria, IL	Madison Theater
March 1, 2000	Evansville, IN	Victory Theater
March 3, 2000	Washington D.C.	9:30 Club
March 4, 2000	Myrtle Beach, SC	House of Blues
March 5, 2000	Raleigh, NC	Ritz Theater
March 7, 2000	Atlanta, GA	The Tabernacle
March 9, 2000	Clearwater, FL	Ruth Eckerd Hall
March 10, 2000	Orlando, FL	House of Blues
March 11, 2000	Sunrise, FL	Sunrise Music Theater
March 14, 2000	New Brunswick, NJ	State Theater
March 15, 2000	Philadelphia, PA	Electric Factory
March 17, 2000	Pittsburgh, PA	Metropol
March 18, 2000	Cincinnati, Ohio	Bogarts
March 19, 2000	Grand Rapids, MI	Orbit Room
March 21, 2000	Ft. Wayne, IN	Pierre's
March 23, 2000	Merrillville, IN	Star Plaza Theater
March 24, 2000	Chicago, IL	House of Blues
March 25, 2000	Chicago, IL	House of Blues
March 26, 2000	Chicago, IL	House of Blues
June 6, 2000	San Francisco, CA	Warfield Theater
June 7, 2000	Reno, NV	Pioneer Theater
June 9, 2000	Los Angeles, CA	House of Blues
June 10, 2000	Los Angeles, CA	House of Blues
June 11, 2000	Los Angeles, CA	House of Blues
June 12, 2000	Anaheim, CA	Sun Theater
June 14, 2000	San Diego, CA	4th & B
June 15, 2000	Phoenix, AZ	Celebrity Theater
June 16, 2000	Las Vegas, NV	House of Blues
June 17, 2000	Las Vegas, NV	House of Blues
June 25, 2000	Seattle, WA	Memorial Stadium

The Greatest Hits Tour (2000)

DATE	LOCATION	VENUE
August 5, 2000	New York City, NY	Madison Square Garden
August 6, 2000	Mansfield, MA	Tweeter Center
August 8, 2000	Hartford, CT	Meadows Music Center
August 9, 2000	Portland, ME	Cumberland Civic Center
August 11, 2000	Pittsburgh, PA	Starlake Ampitheater
August 12, 2000	Camden, NJ	Sony E Center
August 13, 2000	Scranton, PA	Coors Light Ampitheater
August 15, 2000	Clarkston, MI	Pine Knob Music Theater
August 16, 2000	Buffalo, NY	Darien Lake Ampitheater
August 17, 2000	Holmdel, NJ	PNC Bank Arts Center
August 19, 2000	St. Louis, MO	Riverpoint Ampitheater
August 20, 2000	Kansas City, MO	Sandstone Ampitheater
August 23, 2000	Cleveland, Ohio	Blossom Music Center
August 25, 2000	Chicago, IL	UIC Pavilion
August 26, 2000	Milwaukee, WI	Marcus Ampitheater
August 27, 2000	Minneapolis, MN	Roy Wilkens Amphitheater
August 29, 2000	Colorado Springs, CO	World Arena
August 30, 2000	Denver, CO	Red Rocks Ampitheater
September 1, 2000	Dallas, Texas	Smirnoff Music Center
September 2, 2000	Houston, Texas	Woodlands Pavilion
September 3, 2000	San Antonio, Texas	Sunken Garden Amphitheater
September 4, 2000	El Paso, Texas	Univ. of Texas
September 8, 2000	Alburqurque, NM	Mesa Del Sol
September 9, 2000	Phoenix, AZ	Desert Sky Pavilion
September 10, 2000	Irvine, CA	Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
September 12, 2000	San Diego, CA	Sports Arena
September 13, 2000	Los Angeles, CA	Universal Ampitheater
September 15, 2000	Bakersfield, CA	Bakersfield Convention Center
September 16, 2000	San Jose, CA	Shoreline Amphitheater
September 17, 2000	Las Vegas, NV	Aladdin Theater
September 19, 2000	Tacoma, WA	Tacoma Dome
September 20, 2000	Vancouver, BC, CANADA	Pacific Coliseum
January 9, 2001	Mexico City, MEXICO	Foro Sol

Live Evolution Tour (2001)

DATE	LOCATION	VENUE
June 2, 2001 (one-off)	Seattle, Wash.	The Showbox
June 19, 2001 (one-off)	Salt Lake City, Utah	Rocky Mountain Speedway
June 20, 2001 (one-off)	Cadot, Wis.	Unknown (festival)
June 27, 2001 (Live Evolution taping)	Seattle, Wash.	Moore Theater
June 28, 2001 (Live Evolution taping)	Seattle, Wash.	Moore Theater
October 26, 2001	Tokyo, JAPAN	Air East (cancelled)
October 27, 2001	Tokyo, JAPAN	Air East (cancelled)
October 28, 2001	Osaka, JAPAN	Bayside Jenny (cancelled)
November 1, 2001	Phoenix, AZ	Celebrity Theater
November 2, 2001	Las Vegas, NV	House of Blues
November 4, 2001	San Francisco	Warfield Theater
November 5, 2001	Los Angeles, CA	Wiltern Theater
November 6, 2001	Anaheim, CA	House of Blues
November 9, 2001	Denver, CO	Fillmore Auditorium
November 10, 2001	Albuquerque, NM	Kiva Auditorium
November 12, 2001	Dallas, Texas	Bronco Bowl
November 13, 2001	Austin, Texas	Austin Music Hall
November 16, 2001	Milwaukee, WI	The Rave
November 17, 2001	Chicago, IL	Vic Theater
November 18, 2001	Chicago, IL	Vic Theater
November 20, 2001	Boston, MA	Orpheum Theater
November 21, 2001	New York City, NY	Beacon Theater