Chris DeGarmo

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Chris DeGarmo
Born (1963-06-14) June 14, 1963
Wenatchee, Washington, United States
Genres Progressive metal
Instruments Guitar, piano, vocals
Years active 1981–present
Associated acts Queensrÿche, Spys4Darwin

Chris DeGarmo (born Christopher Lee DeGarmo on June 14, 1963)[1] is an American heavy metal and hard rock guitarist and threefold Grammy-nominated songwriter.[2][3][4] DeGarmo is best known for his seventeen-year tenure (1981–1997) as a lead and rhythm guitarist in the progressive metal band Queensrÿche, which he co-founded, and with whom he played during their most commercially successful period. Since departing from the band, DeGarmo has made his living as a professional charter pilot,[5] and is only occasionally involved with music.

Career

Early years

DeGarmo was born in Wenatchee, Washington.[1] He grew up in a family that was struggling, as his father had abandoned them.[6] In sixth grade, he was in the same class as his future bandmate Scott Rockenfield.[7] DeGarmo joined Interlake High School as a sophomore in 1979,[8] and joined his school-mates in garage bands such as Joker,[1] which included guitarist Michael Wilton.[9] After he was kicked out of Joker to be replaced with a guitarist who could afford more expensive equipment,[6] DeGarmo joined the band Tempest, of singer and bass player Mark Hovland, which after drummer Mark Welling joined the band, was named D-H-W (DeGarmo-Hovland-Welling).[10]

Queensrÿche

Beginnings and major success (1980–1997)

In 1980, Wilton and Rockenfield, who was a drummer, had founded a band called Cross+Fire, and DeGarmo and Hovland joined shortly thereafter.[10][11] They played covers of popular heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. Hovland left because he had to commute quite far and wasn't really into Iron Maiden.[10] In his place came bassist Eddie Jackson, a high school friend of Rockenfield.[10] The band name was changed to The Mob. In 1982, they switched from playing cover songs to writing original material, and recruited Geoff Tate as their vocalist. The band continued under the name Queensrÿche.
"Silent Lucidity" (1990)
Sample of the power ballad "Silent Lucidity" from the album Empire, written solely by DeGarmo. It is the most successful song in Queensrÿche's career, garnering the band two Grammy nominations, five MTV VMA nominations, and one VMA award.
"Bridge" (1994)
Sample of "Bridge", demonstrating DeGarmo's signature acoustic guitar sound. The song was written solely by DeGarmo, and discusses his father's attempts to reconcile with him after being absent throughout his youth.
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As their primary songwriter,[1] DeGarmo was largely responsible for writing the band’s intricate compositions together with Wilton and Tate. In 1990, "I Don't Believe in Love" by DeGarmo and Tate, nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. DeGarmo was the sole writer for the band's 1991 hit "Silent Lucidity", which reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, was Grammy nominated in two categories (Best Rock Song, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal) at the 1992 awards,[2][4] as well as five VMA nominations and one win,[12] and which earned the guitarist a BMI songwriter's award.

Departure from the band (1997)

DeGarmo left Queensrÿche for undisclosed reasons in late 1997 following the band's tour in support of the band's sixth studio album, Hear in the Now Frontier.[13] His departure was not made public until January 28, 1998.[14] Members of the band have later cited burnout and a desire to pursue interests outside of Queensrÿche as reasons for his departure.[15][16] For example, Rockenfield has said: "He wanted to pursue other things he. He felt like he had done what he wanted musically in his life, and wanted to move on."[7] However, Dan Birchall of the fan magazine Screaming in Digital paints a more complex picture of three factors culminating in DeGarmo's decision to quit the band:[13]

  • The success of Empire and the resulting touring life in the 90s had imposed a major strain on the band members' marriages, while DeGarmo's marriage was the only one that survived, and this resulted in the motive to spend more time with his wife and children.
  • Some band members battled with alcohol following the "Building Empires" tour, causing the band to lose focus, and in this light, DeGarmo is seen as the one who kept the Tri-Ryche Corporation (the business side of the band) running in his role as president, as the driving force behind motivating the band to get back together and record Promised Land, and as the one to ultimately go into negotiations with Virgin Records alone after the bankruptcy of EMI-America, because of a lack of interest or participation by the other members.
  • The families of all band members were very close, forming an "extended Queensrÿche family", but after the divorces these interpersonal dynamics changed when new girlfriends came into the extended family, who didn't always get along well with the existing band members, which in turn affected some of the close bonds among the band members.

DeGarmo was succeeded in Queensrÿche by Kelly Gray (1998–2002),[17] Mike Stone (2002–2008),[18] and Parker Lundgren (2008–present).[19]

The Tribe sessions (2003)

After hearing what direction the band wanted to go in with their next album, DeGarmo called his former bandmates, saying that he had a few songs and ideas he thought might work.[20] He was invited down to take part in the sessions for Tribe, and it was announced that he would join Queensrÿche on the European leg of the Tribe tour.[20] DeGarmo contributed to the music of the songs "Falling Behind", "Doin' Fine" and "Art of Life", and co-wrote "Desert Dance" and "Open".[20] DeGarmo had also written both the music and lyrics to the song "Justified", but it was not included on the album since he prematurely left the recording sessions.[20] The song would later be included on the collector's edition of their 2007 greatest hits album, Sign of the Times. It is generally assumed that similar interpersonal problems as in 1997 are the cause for his second departure.[20]

Later years

After his departure from the band, DeGarmo rarely makes public appearances, but he has always remained friends with Queensrÿche,[7][21][22] and especially his high-school friend Wilton.[7] Because he remains highly regarded in the eyes of Queensrÿche's fan base, both he and the other band members are frequently asked if he is ever to rejoin Queensrÿche. Wilton answered that question in June 2013 as follows: "if there is a chance of collaboration, well, we'll just keep that a secret."[23] In 2011, DeGarmo commented:
"Well, I'll never say never. I don't know how likely it is though. I'm still on good terms with anyone. I didn't leave on any bad terms. We're still connected and communicating. I don't know. If we could figure it out together how to create a really great album, maybe. I wouldn't do it just to be doing it. We've gotten together a few times so I know we have the chemistry. That's not an issue. We all know we work well together."[24]

Well, I don't know that even in the beginning I felt an obligation other than to myself to love music and write music. I still do both of those. I love music and listen to music all the time. I still write as well. As far as it being shared, that is more complex. I've continued to write a bunch of music and I have a personal obligation to my creative self that hasn't changed. Whether it will ever see the light of day in a listenable form for others ... that remains a question mark. I'd like it to happen though. I'm sure someone would appreciate a listen. It's not out of the question.

— Chris DeGarmo [25]
The most profound line-up change for Queensrÿche since DeGarmo's departure in 1997, was when remaining founding members Rockenfield, Wilton and Jackson fired Tate in June 2012,[26] leading to a court case that has temporarily allowed both parties to use the band's name[27] and has caused a division among the fans.[28] Although DeGarmo has refrained from publicly commenting on any of this, both sides have talked with restraint about DeGarmo's opinion regarding the current band situation, and they suggest that he has remained friends with both parties. Tate said about his relationship with DeGarmo: "We’re friends. We see each other probably once a month—play golf, have lunch."[22] Wilton commented:
"Chris and I have always been good friends. I mean, we grew up together, we were high school buddies and we’re still friends. I golf with him all the time. Our families are friends. And, yes, he’s aware of what’s going on. I’m not going to speak for him, but I can say that he supports everything that we’re doing and it’s great that Chris and I have a connection. You know, he’s got a lot of things in the fire that he wants to do and he’s a true connoisseur of great songwriting. That’s basically all I can really tell you. Definitely, he’s around, we talk a lot, but I really can’t say anything."[21]

In 2013, DeGarmo and Rockenfield celebrated their 50th birthdays together, as their birthdays are only one day apart.[7] Other members of Queensrÿche were also present.[23]

Other activities

After leaving Queensrÿche, DeGarmo began a full-time career as a professional business jet pilot. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot Licence, which he acquired during Queensrÿche's most commercially successful years.[1] as well as CL-30 (Challenger 300), LR-JET (Learjet), IA-Jet (Westwind) and LR-45 (Learjet 45) type ratings from the FAA. In 2013, Rockenfield said that "he [DeGarmo] is very successful at it".[5]

DeGarmo's post-Queensrÿche musical career includes collaborations with guitarist Jerry Cantrell (as a touring guitarist in 1998 and an appearance on the 2002 Degradation Trip studio album)[1] and with bassist Mike Inez, drummer Sean Kinney, and singer Vinnie Dombrowski in the open project Spys4Darwin. The group released one EP, Microfish, in 2001.[1] On February 18, 2005, DeGarmo joined the remaining members of the popular rock band Alice in Chains and other Seattle area artists for the Tsunami Continued Care Relief Concert. He assisted the rock band Dredg with the production and arrangement of their 2005 studio album Catch Without Arms, and he has written a few film score songs with Dredg's frontman Gavin Hayes.[1]

DeGarmo lives in the Seattle area with his wife and children. He has been working on a project called The Rue with his daughter Rylie DeGarmo since 2009.[29][30] In 2013, Rockenfield said: "His daughter is a singer and he helps her a little bit on the songs. Otherwise, he mostly does music on the side. Chris recently told me, that he is absolutely happy with his life the way it is."[5]

Discography

Queensrÿche

Spys4Darwin

  • microfish (2001)

Jerry Cantrell

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "DeGarmo". Anybody Listening. Retrieved 2012-12-31. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 MacDonald, Patrick (January 12, 1990). "Soundgarden Nomination: The Growth of Local Rock". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 17, 2009. 
  3. ↑ Hunt, Dennis (1987-01-09). "Grammy Nominations: Highs and Lows: Winwood, Gabriel and Simon Garner Most Nominations". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). p. 2. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Nominees announced for Grammy Awards". TimesDaily 123 (Florence, Alabama). January 8, 1992. p. 10B. Retrieved November 17, 2010. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Kube, Oliver (2013-05-14). "Vorwärts ist der richtige Weg (Forward is the right way)". EMP Merchandising. Retrieved 2013-05-31. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brett Miller. "Before the Storm: The Early Days of Queensrÿche: Onward and Upward". QueensrycheHistory.com. Retrieved 2013-01-03. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche) 2013 Interview on the Signals of Intuition". The Signals of Intuition. 99.1 CJAM-FM. 2013-05-25. Retrieved 2013-06-14. 
  8. ↑ Brett Miller. "Before the Storm: The Early Days of Queensrÿche: The Beginning". QueensrycheHistory.com. Retrieved 2013-01-03. 
  9. ↑ "Declaration of Michael Wilton". court testimony. 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2012-12-02. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Brett Miller. "Before the Storm: The Early Days of Queensrÿche: The Storm is Coming". QueensrycheHistory.com. Retrieved 2013-01-03. 
  11. ↑ "Declaration of Scott Rockenfield". court testimony. 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2012-12-03. 
  12. ↑ "MTV Video Music Awards 1991". MTV. Retrieved July 23, 2012. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Birchall, Dan (2000-02-29). "Why Chris Left: An Answer". Screaming in Digital issue 263. Retrieved 2013-04-24. 
  14. ↑ "Best of Luck, Chris DeGarmo!". Screaming in Digital issue 234. 1998-01-31. Retrieved 2013-05-02. 
  15. ↑ Waterbury, Mark E. (Aug. 2003)."Crossroads: Scott Rockenfield - Queensrÿche's Drummer". Music Morsels. Retrieved April 24, 2006.
  16. ↑ Dargon, Kieran. Geoff Tate interview. The RatHole - Fireworks Magazine. Retrieved April 24, 2006.
  17. ↑ "Declaration of Kelly Gray". Court declaration. 2012-06-29. Retrieved 2013-01-05. 
  18. ↑ Maureen McQueeney (2004). "Geoff Tate Interview". Metal-Rules.com. Retrieved 2013-01-13. 
  19. ↑ "Blabbermouth.Net - Guitarist Mike Stone Quits Queensrÿche". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2011-07-14. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 "Queensrÿche: 2002-2003". AnybodyListening.net. Retrieved 2013-07-01. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Karadimitri, Christos (2013-06-03). "Queensryche interview (Michael Witon): "We're rebuilding the brand of Queensryche"". Rocking.gr. Retrieved 2013-06-09. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Terlino, Craig (2013-06-07). "Interview: Geoff Tate of Queensryche". Dig Boston. Retrieved 2013-06-14. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Wilton, Michael (2013-06-24). "The Breakdown Room Chats With Queensrÿche". AnybodyListening.net. Retrieved 2013-07-02. 
  24. ↑ http://hairbangersradio.ning.com/forum/topics/ex-queensryche-guitarist-chris-degarmo-on-possible-reunion
  25. ↑ http://hairbangersradio.ning.com/forum/topics/ex-queensryche-guitarist-chris-degarmo-on-possible-reunion
  26. ↑ "Declaration of Geoff Tate in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction". Court declaration. 2012-06-09. Retrieved 2012-12-01.  (Exhibit E.)
  27. ↑ "Audio of the Preliminary Injunction Hearing Pt. 2". Court declaration. 2012-08-28. Retrieved 2012-12-16. 
  28. ↑ Scales, Roger (2013-06-07). "Geoff Tate of Queensryche". They Will Rock You Music Network. Retrieved 2013-06-14. 
  29. ↑ "The Rue". Soundcloud. Retrieved 2013-03-25. 
  30. ↑ "07-22-11 - The Rue Perform at Breadline". YouTube. Retrieved 2013-03-25. 
First
Original member
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1982–1997
2003 		Succeeded by
Kelly Gray
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