Interview with Geoff Tate

A few hours before the Athens concert, Geoff tate talked to us about "Rage For Order", "Empire", touring, the next studio plans and his own raison d' etre...music.
Filmed, directed and edited by Sotiris Kotsanis.
Questions by Costas Koulis and Mary Zarakoviti.
www.keysmash.gr

[@KeepinItRealAlways]

Geoff Tate is an absolute vocal God. I miss vocalists like him in this day and age.

[@GT-1902]

I did not realize he had open heart surgery. I wish you a full recovery, Geoff

[@francisfallon]

I wish Rage For Order got the respect it is due. It's timeless and so AWESOME. EVERY SONG.

[@mikeferris408]

👍👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@OverdrivePacing]

Still my fav listen in the Gym !

[@petechristopoulos5922]

I agree with you all!RFO so overlook

[@whamsie4022]

Who cares if it gets respect. We know it’s great.

[@thomasjr.5621]

This album was a big part of my youth. And to this day is 1 of my top 5 . So ahead of its time. I lov3d the DeLorean comment. So true

[@martymcpeak4748]

Geoff's speaking voice is just so soothing. His singing is on another level, his technique and control is amazing.

[@TheMichaelseymour]

i find his vibrato too wide .......and his pitch just grating after a while ...i wish he would sing deep more often like his speaking voice,.....but some great songs of course

[@bridgetmcdanel4981]

Geoff Tate is the most amazing singer ever. He will always be the driving force behind queensryche. His talent voice and stage performances are absolute perfection

[@mglenn7092]

He was one of the most amazing singers ever. Too bad cigarettes and age have hit his voice pretty hard. But, the driving force behind Queensryche was Chris DeGarmo, from the group’s earliest formations right up until he quit. You probably could call Tate the driving force after DeGarmo left (up until Wilton/Jackson/Rockenfield fired him) but the music was never as good as, never measured up to, Queensryche’s music when DeGarmo was leading the band.

[@pmurphy12667]

@@mglenn7092 this statement is not genuine at all. He is 64 my friend. He was also rocker. No one can hit the range he did so whether or not cigarettes and alcohol caused the quality decline is speculative at best and you don't know. He still sings and does great...at 64. You can't replicate his voice, but Chris Degarmos guitar can be replicated. People came to see Geoff sing, not Chris play...period.

[@mglenn7092]

@@pmurphy12667 your opinion. I disagree. Queensryche would not have been the band they were without Chris DeGarmo’s song-writing and arranging, which imo was much more important than his guitar playing, and imo more important than Geoff Tate’s voice. And their song-writing went to mediocrity when DeGarmo quit.

[@99Gara99]

@@pmurphy12667 I love Geoff Tate too. And I believe it's safe to say that the reason queensryche was so big is because of his talent is charisma But Queensryche is something Chris deGarmo had inside of him before it existed, he thought of the sound in his mind and gave birth to it, by assembling it, writing the songs and choosing the right people to partner with. And a key musician he's chosen was Geoff Tate. Tate even refused in the beginning because he didn't like rock to start with, but somehow deGarmo convinced they were gonna do something different, that he could sing the way he knew and liked. And they worked it out. Because of it, I think deGarmo was the soul of the band, it's a different thing without him but Geoff tate is the heart, had him left the band it wouldn't be the same too, but I think it would still be Queensryche I think it's like Steve Harris and Bruce Dickinson for Iron Maiden. Who is the most important? People will diverge in their answers

[@hockeyfreak66666]

@@pmurphy12667 Thank you! Queensryche doesn't exist without Chris. Go look at Tribe and the proof is there. Thank you again. There are at least two of us trying to reach the masses.

[@AudiophileTubes]

BEST metal vocalist, EVER! Ungodly talent during his peak years!

[@metalmami7862]

Yes ❤

[@sean8470]

one of the best front men ever no question. Tate- is QR

[@fomme]

He is very underrated.

[@grasnes]

THE best

[@jamesthecat]

Fantastically operatic.

[@sentry9]

Love hearing about Geoff’s life and experiences

[@dagmarramgad5441]

God, his speaking voice is so smooth. I could listen to him talk forever, it’s like ASMR.

[@peggyochoa3538]

something new for me to listen to, asmr for sure.

[@DERedhead1965]

TELL ME ABOUT IT... I feel the same way. He mesmerizes me, EVERYTHING about him.

[@meangene2345]

Rage was so amazing. Mandatory headphone album! So much going on that you don’t hear without them!

[@numbersletters3886]

Best singer and band of all time!

[@DavidSmith-ke1xb]

Ya number one ☝️ in my book 📖 too! And Diddo 🙏🏼😇Geoff Tate

[@mmmfun77]

I saw him in concert two days ago. Just incredible. He held his good friend’s ashes in a small satchel declaring Silent Lucidity was one of Steve’s favorite songs. Needless to say I couldn’t stop crying. It is my favorite song too. The clarity and it being live brought new dimension to the song for me

[@johnanton6356]

Wow....thank you for sharing that story. One of my favourite songs ever.

[@vegasflyboy67]

I went to see Geoff at the Aladin in Vegas in the 80's with Kiss. Queensryche blew me away, and I have never been the same since.

[@ChristineBroughton]

My favorite vocalist of all time. Prayers for Geoff Tate to stay in good health. Enjoyed your interview Thank You 👍

[@davidsandoval3043]

Holy crap! I just heard Geoff Tate sing Queen of the Reich 2023 and he KILLED it!!!!

[@CarlosPacheco]

I love to hear the stories from QR and Geoff is great in interviews BUT I also feel for him... he's been answering the same questions over and over for 20 years. I'd be tired of doing them as well.

[@Polygraph_test]

One of the greatest vocalists of all time in rock music. None of us are what we were in our 20’s and 30’s …… but he can still do it

[@lisabarone2619]

I couldn’t have said it better myself! He is the King!❤

[@DarlaStinnett7848]

Geoff Tate will always be the best. So Thankful that he is recovering well from his surgery! May he continue to Rock our World with his Amazing Voice and talented writing for many years to come ❤️ Greetings from Texas ☆

[@Video61K]

Wow. That is amazing. I had no idea about the open heart surgery. I saw him last week in NJ and he was phenomenal

[@jorgeperezdeprado8941]

It's great to see geoff healthy and in good shape. Love ya man.

[@KyleDavisMusic]

Interviewer is so sweet. Geoff was so patience. Really enjoyed this! Thanks for posting.

[@user-fz1ut1mj2k]

I always start my work day with Jet City. This man can sing. He is just awesome.

[@whammerjammer1562]

Favorite band (and vocalist)! Love hearing from him!

[@aliciabryson1346]

I LOOOVE this man!!! ❤❤❤

[@jimvincent6408]

Geoff looks great! It looks like he's in a good place but we all would sure love to see him reunite with the original members and do a tour! I'd pay for tickets to that!

[@brentj.peterson6070]

Never gonna happen...Unless they throw a ton of money at them. They're all 60+. They've moved on.

[@bettygomez4123]

Amazing voice!! ❤

[@MrVelocity111]

My local master Geoff Tate , thank you for all you and the band gave me

[@BIGGLou888]

Alot of Queensryche's earlier stuff was wayyy overlooked and Underrated. Promise Land was a Kickass Album, just listen to the whole album from finish to end, it's pretty damn Amazing! Ya got the Geoff killin it on Sax, The rest of the guys kickin' ass in normal fashion but with more Intrigue pulling us in on it. The earlier albums before that, speak for themselves! "The Warning" album was dark and lifting at the same time. The Self Titled EP, off the scale!, the operatic vocals and how ya get "Everything" in a Powerful Musician w/Vocals like Geoff has!. No 1 Vocalist can Ever really Truly replicate a voice like an Original, Especially if they are very Passionate, Open Minded, Have a dark side (Everyone should have one!..creates Good Balance!). I've been a fan of Geoff's and any band he's been in since the mid- late 80's, and even still today! There is an Amazing "Downhome" sound to Geoff! Meaning..You can sense his youthful and Intelligent creativity, depths vocally and Inspiration. It's Always a "Performance" interacting w/the people listening and Watching. Some just stand in one place and muster through the set. Ones who "set out to Rock and stood tall for it" way back when the world was still part of The America we used to know, Those are the ones Passionate about the music, and All we had to fight for and The ignition to our energy!.. Kickass Rock n' Roll and Metal! 🤘🏻😎🍷 Keep Rockin Geoff! Congrats on the Happy Place in music, and the delicious wine! "Here's lookin' at You Kid!"

[@claudettejones8516]

Such an amazing talent an voice! What a gift to us all ! Such amazing vocals ! 🎵❤️

[@bordercityrocktalk7576]

Great Interview.....very Rage For Order....ish. Raw and Real

[@joemusicman64]

What an awesome interview. Both sides of the table were so cool. I can see why Geoff grants this guy an interview after already doing thousands. The interviewer asked very good questions and was very respectful. And listening to Geoff here was so interesting. He's so laid back and grounded. They guy has accomplished so much but he keeps his feet on the ground with us mortals. That tells you a lot about his character. So glad I found this.

[@ricksimmons2098]

Geoff Tate is a brilliant talent!!!

[@mattbeall6484]

Geoff Tate, Rob Halford and Miljenko Matajevic, are my favorite vocalists from the 80-early90's, also Bruce Dickinson. We wanted so badly to be able to sound like them but, that is still a dream that never became reality, lmfao. These guys are so amazing, still today. Timeless and amazing. Thankful for the recordings and live performances. LONG LIVE ROCK-N-ROLL. Geoff, will always be the voice behind, Queensryche, no disrespect to their current vocalist.

[@brenthartman502]

Geoff and the band were excellent doing this latest tour in Adelaide South Australia. Can't wait for their return. A must see !! 😄👍👍

[@TeresaEllefson]

Saw them opening up for ACDC at the start of their career in Minneapolis 1986. Got to spend the evening with them after the show, great group of guys and it was great watching their success.

[@moriganna67ify]

The most diverse vocalists and he was rated as the vocalist with the record for the most versatile singer when Operation Mind Crime. Great interview.😊

[@ericmiller5603]

Saw Geoff and his band about a month ago in MA (first time, never saw Queensryche). They were incredible! Interesting how he says “an observer telling a story” rather than “an actor portraying a character.” Perhaps this makes sense with the lyrics, which I don’t know.

[@RikJSmith]

I live in Upstate New York . Geoff played in my Hometown 3 weeks ago . For those of you who think he has lost his voice , or his voice is sounding like it's not as good as it used to be , you're all wrong . He played a lot of new material and a lot of older material . And by "older" I mean Operation : MC and RFO . His voice is still frikn AMAZING !!! And he took his time to talk with everyone and take pics . He truly is a Super Talented Gentleman .

[@VictorPutnam-pd1xm]

As a combat veteran, even though most fans don't appreciate it, American Soldier is such an important album for me

[@DCBELLAFAIRY]

Hands down awesome 🥰

[@richardvasquez1666]

RFO is a fucking master piece! I listen to it all the time. I remember being disappointed that Walk in the Shadows was the first single to hit the airwaves, yet they never made a video for it. I was so excited for the tour, but AC DC didn't come to my town and then they hooked up with Ozzy's Ultimate Sin tour, which had already performed in my town a few months before. RFO was the one tour I wish I had seen live. Thanks to KZbin, I finally got to see that amazing show they did in Montreal, and, man, they did not disappoint. I watch that show all the time. I was actually blown away by the Gothic look they took on. They stood out, just like he said, and I loved it. Their look complimented their industrial stage set. It was so unique and futuristic. The drum riser decorated with those tubes was extraordinary. Rage For Order - the songs, their look- is my favorite aspect of their career. The musicianship was at its best, and Geoff was in his prime. They should have adopted that look and sound as their identity or at least kept it for a while. They also should have continued to record with producer Neil Kernon, who brought out the best in them. I wish I could go back to the summer of '86.

[@dibber43]

EP and Warning are the most incredible vocal albums of his musical career...BY FAR.

[@user-kg4ye9zg4t]

Geoff your voice is amazing rock on ❤Queensryche

[@ObltKG4]

Hey, thanks for posting this. It was a nice interview with a songwriting legend and vocalist.

[@gabbi_anoni]

I was not old enough to see them with suicidal opening, I bet that was a great behind the scenes!

[@xprs1257]

I flew from my home in the U.K. to L.A to ride the Coast Starlight. ( I love trains) However upon my arrival into Seattle I had a couple of days sightseeing and in my mind I just thought of Geoff Tate. Never seen him live but I’m always listening to his music. What an incredible voice.

[@mitchpassero1641]

Just saw him performing solo. Still got it.

[@rickpope6737]

What a Down to earth guy. Cool calm demeanor

[@TanTan-hr7uq]

so good seeing this one of the best!

[@TheDarkEternalKnight07]

Truex fan, nice!

[@TanTan-hr7uq]

@@TheDarkEternalKnight07 haha yes you already know 🍻

[@TheDarkEternalKnight07]

@@TanTan-hr7uq 🍻

[@hallymariah45]

Geoff, you have an extremely beautiful gift in your voice...I wrote on your black and white interview how you touched my heart with Silent Lucidity. I lost two brothers, and a son with in a year...I gave more detail on them in the other comment, but I just wanted to say, that your voice and lyrics pierced my heart!!!

[@oversoul3482]

Love you Geoff !

[@rc121crx]

Wow!! He looks great for his age. Fantastic damn singer

[@enuf2402]

Geoff is just the best, period!! He is absolutely an amazing artist and stands alone and above any other vocalist/composer in my opinion. Operation Mindcrime is a phenomenal and astonishing perfected work of art. Thank You Geoff. It would be a privilege and an honor to meet you. I grew up in the 80’s and Queensryche was a massive part of my life

[@chrisp9975]

I had the privilege of being at their rising star show in Seattle in 83 for 3.50 $ with Zebra as the opening band , what an amazing show, seen them a few more times over the years ,Tate has the best voice I’ve ever heard

[@charlotterockel-kennedy8913]

I saw them mutiple times in 1988 when Metallica released their "And Justice for All" album and they were a warm up band. They were 100 times better than Metallica and I became a big fan ❤

[@georgearceneaux]

God bless you and your family, stay healthy. We. Need more great Singers like. Youstay strong, God bless, Greg arceneaux

[@eileenmyers3867]

I’ve seen Geoff 6xs with Queensryche, saw him with his OMC band last year and actually getting to meet him next week at his show in Hartford, so excited!!! ❤

[@charlotterockel-kennedy8913]

@@eileenmyers3867 wow, hope you have fun. I'm going to see him here in Germany in November, tiny club with a great sound, I can't wait to see him.

[@glenpolen5562]

THANK YOU for this interview. MAN, is it GREAT to see Geoff. I hope that he is doing fantastic these days. He just said that he had heart issues. Man, I will pray for his healing. He might NOT want to scream for a while or maybe never again. I dont know if he can sing those same high notes like he used to sing, but take it easy, Geoff. Im glad that we had him in the best, original QUEENSRYCHE BAND. Same with SCOTT. His drumming was perfect with and for QUEENSRYCHE. I dont think the band would have been the same back then, and as big if they didn't have each one of those awesome musicians. When they lost the first member and replaced him, they still ROCKED. But, when Geoff was getting the boot, that sucked, and then they kicked Scott out, right? I dont think that he quit on his own. He didn't want to leave. I thought that i heard that they went to court over money that the new guys had still owed him. I hope he got every penny. THAT SUCKS. I quit following QUEENSRYCHE after i heard about the bullcrap. I heard there were 2 QUEENSRYCHE bands. I know that the guys in the new band are very gifted musicians and extremely talented, but it isnt the same to me. I thought they rocked and sounded very good, but it wasn't the original team, and I quit following that band, whoever they were. I no longer followed the 2 QUEENSRYCHE bands. I thought that sucked, to have 2 of the same bands out touring. Maybe TRAN- SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA can get away with it, but I dont want one if my favorite bands having a dble or a part 2, B.S. I guess it was what the management wanted. More $$$ in their pantyhoses. I still listen to the excellent songs from the old days on my cds from the original lineup. Oh well, the sun still came up every morning since, and life goes on.

[@omniken66]

The very first time I heard the Queensryche EP way way back in the day I was totally floored. Ever since that day I've been a fan of Geoff Tate

[@antz6130]

Thank you for a great interview with an amazing vocalist

[@mtyhntr49]

Great interview after all these years.

[@henryhillebrecht9589]

Geoff Tate is a generational voice. His voice made QR. They were so great together. I watched a documentary on how they got together and just wish they could have stayed together..

[@Deetroiter]

If Helloween can reunite with ALL existing members, past and present, and both singers can sing together without ego or attitude…why can’t Queensryche and Geoff do the same? Helloween’s reasoning being the legacy of the band and the fans are more important than any differences they once had. Maybe queensryche and Geoff should do the same…put all your past differences aside and reunite for the legacy of the band and for your fans.

[@ln4454]

Helloween was pioneer doing the reunion that brought Michael Kiske and Hansen back. That's amazing and special, but this won't happen with Queensryche, Iron Maiden, etc. Being realistic each band a different reality.

[@eloquentsarcasm]

Mindcrime was one of those albums I listened to as a teen that impacted my entire life. Geoff is and always will be one of the first singers I mention when asked about who I think is a "great" singer. The only recent singer I can compare him to is Dan Vasc, that guy is astounding, and I instantly thought of Geoff when I heard him for the first time. So happy that unlike many of the great musicians I loved in my younger years, Geoff is still performing and sounds just as good, Roland Orzabal is the only other I can think of that still can leave me stunned.

[@mattfitzpatrick83]

This is a great interview. Interesting questions.

[@MisterPoppy-sc1sj]

LEGEND

[@cwillis189]

At the time Mindcrime came out, music was extremely predictable. The format of song writing was the same. Main lyric, break chorus , main lyric, break chorus , big solo, mail lyric, chorus and bring down to end. Of course thats not the proper names of the process but ya get the point. Mindcrime came in and brought a story, thought provoking content that completely took us away from the same over and over rhyming shit lol. Geoff being a trained singer, mega talented and intelligent soul brought a taste that we had never experienced and no one has yet been able to replicate. I will never forget, being out at a park with my buds right after release. Smoking pot, deep thought and four of the most badass metal head musicians i know, all of us on a concrete picnic table discussing, who the f&ck killed Mary? EPIC! Thanks Geoff!

[@CesarMartinez-bz4lk]

Awesome interview 🎉

[@fasttruckman]

How down to earth Tate is, he said thank you to the server who gave him a cup of coffee.

[@brianjansen3103]

Wow I'd never recognize him if i was standing right next to him

[@jimclark7917]

I think Geoff and the original Queensryche changed hard Rock. It is one of those bands that will never be duplicated. Too bad they couldn't stick together. 😢

[@goodpainlive1]

He won't mention Chris who was as instrumental as Tate in that masterpiece

[@2015DMJG]

Um. He did

[@mindofmatter071]

Alot of questions that weren't asked come to mind....great interview though!👏 Love his depictions of songs though!

[@the-dave-house-project]

Well the interviewer did mention that this would be something like the 15th time he's interviewed Geoff. I'd assume most of the questions you're thinking of have been covered in previous ones.

[@FedericoVellere]

Great job, Costas

[@revelgirl1742]

I even love his speaking voice…rich/deep quality.

[@ricksimmons2098]

Fantastic!!!

[@jimbrown5552]

Watching from Ireland

[@kingsnake23]

Geoff Tate is Queensryche. They are still nothing without him.

[@kallefeldt8003]

❤Best

[@lizcuero9065]

It would be so awesome if Geoff met Jessie Duplantis. They would have so much to share. It would be goodness x 10!

[@ln4454]

Expecting a 3rd album w/ Geoff Tate and Sweet Oblivion, the two released are great, specially the debut 2019. Bad things sometimes happen for good, I like the way Queensryche is doing now w/ Wilton, Jackson and Todd. Being out of Queensryche is a great deal to Geoff right now! More accoustic shows and projects, long live Mr. Tate!

[@EgoFiveFiveSix]

wouldn't it be great if they could all put their bullshit aside and do one last world tour as a band?

[@sstrick500]

Dang...his voice is DEEP for the way he sings! Usually, those high note singers have high voices (I'm looking at YOU Sabastian Bach).

[@wls64]

Seems like a really friendly nice guy 😊

[@SebastianAmmerlynd]

I would like to know more about Geoff‘s singing technique, especially because his speaking voice is so low (ai‘m guessing baritone).

[@dustinmiller2775]

It was the jabs, Geoff! 😳

[@marksmith4892]

his voice now sounds like a cat having its tail cut off but he HAD the voice of a metal god. Nobody is in his (vocal in this case) prime forever and he captured his voice during those golden years with tons of albums so his legacy is secure. If I were him I'd be satisfied with that. What more can one ask for?

[@Cwo30]

He mentioned musical identity and I don’t care what anyone says he is Queensyrches’s musical identity

[@Dave_Wight_The_Rock_Oracle]

Be interesting to see how he describes the incidents that led to him leaving Queensryche unceremoniously. Will this book be under non fiction or next to Nikki Sixx's books I hear there is a big reveal in the book though, Tate will admit to being the second spitter who hit Kramer and then Newman

[@geem8011]

Haha. Who are Kramer and Newman by the way?

[@Dave_Wight_The_Rock_Oracle]

@Gee M that's a sad question ..seinfeld.,

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@@Dave_Wight_The_Rock_Oracle Friends fans are pathetic, aren't they?

[@brentj.peterson6070]

For being in his mid-60s..he still sings quite well. However..i heard songs are tuned down and some backing tracks are used for enhancement (lots of bands do it)... can't stop the aging process. At least he still does what he loves. Best wishes.

[@lizcuero9065]

Dear Jesus! Please keep Brother Geoff healthy and keep his heart happy....in Jesus' name , Thank You.

[@99Gara99]

Time is relentless

[@CondorSkyGhost]

I like that diversity of ideas of songs. I think if he were ready to have a song about his operation. What he was maybe reflecting on his life at the moments of what he was thinking of. Have to be deep thoughts. Ahh, he could.maybe put that kind of song on the sweet oblivion project

[@erikwhitebeard79]

He is always in Ireland!!!!! I am on the case.

[@grasnes]

Too bad, a lot of noise is in the interview. Makes it a bit hard to hear everything correctly, and YT subtitles is better to not have turned on, in case of mis-translation.

[@Bill-yr2go]

I wish someone would do an AI version of Geoff in Dream Theater. Any song off Images and words. DT has been my all time band since the 90s and Geoff my all time singer. I think that matchup would've been fenominal

[@hypolyxa7207]

Wish he would come to Denmark... :(

[@ColtraneTaylor]

Nice to see a "rocker" who wears colourful sweaters. People don't even wear sweaters now, just some black garment which says Northface.

[@brianellinger6622]

and this is the unquestionable truth that help L>E>O.s perform....

[@myalaynaangel]

What a down to earth guy

[@treywalker5827]

Lol - what?

[@myalaynaangel]

@Trey Walker very kid, genuine and very relatable. He doesn't snoot his nose down to people.... famous but very kind... Down to earth....

[@mikedunker7354]

THE BEST FROM THE NORTH WEST!!!

[@vincegedeon6583]

💯

[@the_hellion6765]

Tate in his prime was the greatest of all time

[@treywalker5827]

What, no vest?