Keyboardist Randy Gane (pictured below), who is a member of Geoff Tate's newly assembled version of QUEENSRŸCHE, suffered a heart attack Wednesday night (December 26), according to a posting on Geoff's Facebook page. The singer is asking fans to "please send [their] prayers and positive thoughts to [his] good friend."

Gane, who turned 53 on November 30, was a co-founder of Tate's pre-QUEENSRŸCHE band MYTH. He has also played with the alternative band CANDLEBOX and appeared on the group's 1993 debut, which sold four million copies and featured the hits "You" and "Far Behind".

In a recent interview, Tate stated: "Randy's played on quite a few QUEENSRŸCHE records over the years and written on QUEENSRŸCHE records over the years, and toured with us as well."

He added in a separate interview: "Randy Gane and I have been musical partners for more than 30 years. We have written many songs together and have similar musical tastes."

Tate's QUEENSRŸCHE also includes legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO), drummer Bobby Blotzer (RATT) and guitarist Kelly Gray (MYTH).

Geoff Tate's QUEENSRŸCHE will hit the road next year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the group's epic 1988 release, "Operation: Mindcrime".

The performance of "Operation: Mindcrime" next spring will cover all fifteen songs from the album including such fan favorites as "Revolution Calling", "Operation: Mindcrime", "I Don't Believe In Love" and the closing track, "Eyes Of A Stranger". It will also feature other selections from the QUEENSRŸCHE catalog, including songs from "Operation: Mindcrime II".

Glen Drover (MEGADETH, KING DIAMOND) announced his departure from Geoff Tate's QUEENSRŸCHE last month before playing a single show with the band. He said in a statement: "I was very excited about doing this gig initially, but learned in the past week or so that it's in my best interest not to do this right now. I feel really bad for those who were excited about the idea, and to Geoff himself, who, I have to say, was very nice to me on my past trip to Seattle. I, of course, am very disappointed for arriving at this point, and making this decision, to say the least. I sincerely wish the Geoff and the band all the luck on what they do in the future."

Tate, who was fired from QUEENSRŸCHE in June after fronting the group for three decades, recently sought to prevent his former bandmates from touring and operating under the QUEENSRŸCHE name without him. While ruling against Tate, the presiding judge determined that there was no legal hurdle in Tate also using the name with an all-new lineup of musicians. "I don't see any reason that Mr. Tate can't have the benefit, if he gets other members, of whatever name he uses of using the brand," Superior Court Judge Carol A. Schapira said during the July 13 court hearing. "I think [doing that would be] inherently confusing, although I'm sure the market can get these things sorted out," she added.