Operation II: The Kelly Gray Era

HOME BEFORE THE STORM OPERATION I OPERATION II OPERATION III OPERATION IV SIDE PROJECTS COMMUNITY

History

Albums

Tour Dates

Images

Articles

The departure of Queensrÿche guitarist and chief songwriter Chris DeGarmo was a significant blow to the band in late 1997. Having relied on DeGarmo to help guide the creative aspect musically and vocally of Queensrÿche since the band's inception, it came as a surprise to many fans when Queensrÿche announced its decision to carry on without him. For months, two questions reverberated throughout the band's fanbase – "how and with whom?"

Initially, rumor spread that the band had discussed adding a keyboard player to its ranks, leaving Michael Wilton as the sole guitarist. Another hot stove discussion had Queensrÿche becoming a four-piece band, re-arranging songs when needed to accommodate the lineup change.

In the end, Queensrÿche reached into the past, emerging with fellow Seattle native Kelly Gray. Gray, the former guitarist of Myth (a band that vocalist Geoff Tate fronted prior to joining Queensrÿche) was now a successful record producer with Candlebox, and ironically, had been slated to produce the next Queensrÿche album prior to DeGarmo's departure.

At Tate's urging, Kelly sat down for a jam session with Michael Wilton, and the duo wrote the music to "Right Side of My Mind.” To gauge fan opinion, Queensrÿche staged two fan events – "Seattle '98" and "Seattle '99" – the latter of which included a live performance that was well received by fan club members who were able to attend.

Gray's combination of guitar playing and songwriting, knowledge of record production, and connections at major record labels (Queensrÿche had finished up a seven-album deal with EMI before the label folded in 1997) was exactly what the band needed at the time. Kelly's involvement helped Queensrÿche move forward at a time when the remaining members of the band could have explored other things (notably, Geoff Tate had considered joining Journey and spent some time working on songs with band leaders Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain in early 1998 before deciding it wasn't for him).

Taking a much different approach to music than DeGarmo, Kelly focused more on rhythm and groove than the intricate guitar playing and harmonies Queensrÿche was known for. The change was a drastic departure for the band, but one that ultimately got them signed to Atlantic Records. The entire band sat in the studio together and wrote as a unit, reviving the band members' confidence and revitalizing their desire to play music.

With a new record deal, renewed chemistry and an album the band members believed in, Queensrÿche was reborn. The band released Q2k on Sept. 14, 1999, with "Breakdown" as the lead single sent to radio. Initially pushed hard by reps from Atlantic Records, the song appeared on modern rock stations nationwide, but was quickly dropped from rotation.

Undeterred, Queensrÿche launched its 1999-2000 "Electric Shockwaves World Tour" in Boise, Idaho, in late Oct. 1999. Playing mostly theater-sized venues in the United States, the band was received positively early-on, showing a renewed energy on stage. Performing a good chunk of Q2k, along with a generous helping of 1988's Operation: Mindcrime, the Queensrÿche "machine" appeared to be rolling along well.

The band continued the tour throughout the United States and then headed to Europe in early 2000, eventually returning stateside for more dates in the late winter, spring, and early summer. Taking a little time off, Queensrÿche hit the road again in Aug. 2000 as the direct support act of Iron Maiden on its tour in support of Brave New World.

All was not as good as it seemed, however. Fan reaction to Gray's playing style had proved lukewarm at best, and unknown at the time to fans, according to Geoff Tate in the liner notes of the 2006 re-release of Q2k, Kelly led a much different life on the road than the rest of the band. Said Tate:

"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."

Other than one show supporting Iron Maiden in January, band activity was sparse during the beginning of 2001. Although fans were told that Queensrÿche was writing a new record, no consistent updates were given. In addition, the band had separated from Atlantic Records and was in talks with the independent Sanctuary Records label about a potential deal.

The move was not unexpected. After "Breakdown" had fallen off the radio charts, Atlantic had limited its support of Q2k, as the singles "Falling Down," "Right Side of My Mind" and "Beside You" received little, if any airplay. The lack of support was noticed and loudly criticized by the fans. Clearly, both Queensrÿche and its fanbase felt it was time for the band to move on.

A number of "side projects" from the band members also started to pop-up during this time, including the tandem of Rockenfield and Gray with their new band, Slave to the System, and Geoff Tate announcing plans for a solo album. Fans speculated that Queensrÿche was about to break up.

In the spring of 2001, however, it was announced that Queensrÿche would hold another fan club concert in Seattle on June 1, marking the band's first show since a "one-off" January appearance supporting Iron Maiden in Mexico.

The June 2001 Queensrÿche fan club show was followed in July by an announcement that the band had signed with Sanctuary Records and to celebrate the union, Queensrÿche would film two live performances at The Moore Theater in Seattle for the band's first live concert release since 1991's Operation: LIVEcrime. Titled Live Evolution, the DVD featuring an abridged version of the two shows, while the two-CD set contained at least one version of each song performed on both nights.

Despite the good news and Queensrÿche's announcement that it would tour to support Live Evolution, the band dynamic had clearly changed. Done in an "Evening With" format in limited cities, the tour lasted for only six weeks, with the band playing around 90 minutes each night (a significant reduction from the typical two hours fans had come to expect). In addition, it was painfully evident that something was amiss between the band members, as Kelly Gray was noticeably ignored by everyone on stage, with the exception of Scott Rockenfield.

From a personal perspective, it was an eerie feeling the night of Nov. 21, 2001, at the Beacon Theater in New York City. With the city still reeling from the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, Queensrÿche managed to play for only 95 minutes, disappointing a crowd filled with energy and needing a release. After the final song was played, Tate, Jackson and Wilton walked off the stage, leaving Rockenfield and Gray by themselves. It was announced that Gray had been fired from the band in the months following, bringing this era of Queensrÿche to a close.

© 2006-2013 AnybodyListening.net. All Rights Reserved

Web & Graphic Design : Rose Creek Design 2013