GEOFF TATE: I Have Only Had About 10-15 Conversations With MICHAEL WILTON In 30 Years

November 5, 2012

Robert Cavuoto of Guitar International recently conducted an interview with QUEENSRŸCHE vocalist Geoff Tate. An excerpt from the chat follows below.

Guitar International: When I spoke to Michael Wilton about QUEENSRŸCHE's "Dedicated To Chaos" last year, he mentioned that the band used YouSendIt.com to share guitar parts for the songs. It must have been nice for you all to be in the same room writing [for your new solo album, "Kings & Thieves"].

Geoff Tate: It's too bad that Michael didn't show up. He only lives five miles from me. It wasn't like he was in another country. He was actually the only one that did the YouSendIt.com. Everybody else was in the room. I know your publication and remember the interview you did with him for "Dedicated To Chaos". It was very interesting.

Guitar International: We chatted at length about gear, but not so much about "Dedicated To Chaos".

Geoff Tate: He liked playing around with gizmos and gear rather than writing songs and participating. Spending 30 years with the man, it was tough to have a conversation with him. I have only had about 10-15 conversations with him in 30 years.

Guitar International: After all the craziness went down within QUEENSRŸCHE, are there any key lessons to be learned from it all?

Geoff Tate: Well, you know, in every difficult situation I try to handle it with a sense of elegance and decorum. I was the spokesperson and the face of the band for so many years. I always felt it was my responsibility to present the band in a good way. I tell you, the fallout from the whole thing being so ugly that I never envisioned the end of the band being like this! I sort of envisioned it with us retiring in our 60s and being able to look back at all the great years we had. It's really hurtful to me that it all happened. If I could change it, I would.

Guitar International: Can you pinpoint any point in time where the band started to appear like it was on the verge of trouble?

Geoff Tate: No, it was completely out of the blue and I'm still in shock. It doesn't make sense to me. To most intelligent people, why would you take this incredibly successful music entity that has been in operation successfully for 30 years only to destroy the name and run it through the dirt and cut off your livelihood? Why would you cut your own throat? We had 10 years left in the public eye, and at this point you want to start all over again? Financially hurt or cripple yourself?! It's insanity!

Read the entire interview from Guitar International.

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