Guitarist MIKE STONE Discusses His Departure From QUEENSRŸCHE

February 20, 2009

In his first interview since announcing his departure from QUEENSRŸCHE, guitarist Mike Stone tells "Rockin' Metal Revival" that he left the group on good terms. "Working with QUEENSRŸCHE has been awesome, and I don't have any problem with the guys in the band," he says. "It was time for me to move on and work on my own music."

Stone is the co-host of this week's edition of "Rockin' Metal Revival", which is available for download at this location.

Mike Stone announced his departure from QUEENSRŸCHE on February 3. He said in a statement, "After much consideration, I will not be joining QUEENSRŸCHE on the 2009 American Soldier Tour. I feel now is the time to focus on other musical endeavors, including my new band SPEED X with Nick Catanese of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. I would like to thank all of the QUEENSRŸCHE fans around the world for being nothing less than amazing to me during my time with the band. You have treated me like gold, and I will never forget it. It has been an honor to be a part of the QUEENSRŸCHE family, and I wish Geoff, Michael, Scott and Eddie nothing but the very best."

QUEENSRŸCHE added in a statement, "We will miss [Mike]. He is a wonderful player and has contributed to our lives musically and spiritually. We wish him the best and hope to see him succeed in everything he chooses to participate in."

According to postings on AnybodyListening.net's message board, The Breakdown Room, Parker Lundgren, a member of QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate's solo band, has officially joined QUEENSRŸCHE as the group's new touring guitarist.

Lundgren, who is apparently engaged to Tate's daughter Miranda, played several shows with the QUEENSRŸCHE frontman last September and joined Tate and QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist Michael Wilton for a rare all-acoustic set at KISW's annual Holiday Hangover Ball on December 12, 2008 at Showbox SoDo in Seattle, Washington.

Parker's addition to QUEENSRŸCHE's touring lineup was officially announced by Tate in a podcast that is currently available only to members of the band's fan club. Geoff added that the group is "glad to have him."

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