Thursday, June 14: Tig's Rock Birthdays

Happy Birthday today (June 14) to former Queensryche guitarist Chris DeGarmo. He’s 55. Other rockers celebrating include Yes drummer Alan White (69) and singer/keyboardist Rod Argent (73).

Queensryche rose to fame in the 1980’s. The band has sold over 20 million records worldwide and gained critical acclaim for their 1988 concept album Operation: Mindcrime. The band’s follow up album Empire in 1990 went triple platinum and featured the hit single “Silent Lucidity”. The band earned two Grammy Award nominations for “Silent Lucidity” 1992 in the categories of Best Rock Song and Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

Chris DeGarmo played in Queensryche from 1982-1998. He was with the band during their most commercially period and since leaving the band, he now makes a living as a charter pilot. He resides in the Seattle area with his wife and children and is no longer involved in the music business. Queensryche is one of my personal favorite metal bands of all time, and a big part of the band certainly disappeared after Chris DeGarmo left the group. Cheers to this rockin guitarist on his birthday!

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