Live Photos: Queensrÿche, Feb. 8, 2008

Queensrÿche
Feb. 8, 2008
Nokia Theater. New York, N.Y.

Queensrÿche’s Feb. 8 Nokia Theater show was full of surprises. The band has primarily played its Operation: Mindcrime repertoire during its last few years on the road, so for the Hits and Rarities tour, the group pulled out songs seldom heard live, such as Gonna Get Close to You and Bridge. It’s also been a while since a supporting act opened on a QR tour, and Don Dokken filled the slot by acoustically performing his classic catalog. Topping the night off was contest winner Bill McKiernan joining Queensrÿche to sing the Police’s Synchronicity II and watching him earn the crowd’s love. Before capturing the night’s action, The Killing Words visited backstage for a few photo ops that resulted in our current favorite Queensrÿche pic—where Michael Wilton, Mike Stone and Scott Rockenfield seem to demonstrate the ethic of “Speak only rock, hear only rock, see only rock.”

To read Christa Titus’ live review of this concert for Metal Edge, click here.

(Music that is referenced in this article is hyperlinked to Amazon.com for your purchasing convenience. If a product is not hyperlinked, Amazon.com did not offer it at the time of publication.)

The Nokia backstage cafeteria also doubles as an ad-hoc photo studio.
(From left: Universal Music’s Kevin Chiramonte, Queensrÿche manager Susan Tate, Geoff Tate, Michael Wilton, Mike Stone, Eddie Jackson, Scott Rockenfield and radio personality Eddie Trunk.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Mike Stone suddenly receives a transmission in his headphones.
(From left: Eddie Jackson, Geoff Tate, Michael Wilton, Stone and Scott Rockenfield.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

It’s rumored that these Rÿchers share the same stylist.
(From left: Eddie Jackson, Geoff Tate and Michael Wilton.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

We don’t know what’s funnier: Michael Wilton’s sudden urge to growl, or Scott Rockenfield’s reaction to it. Mike Stone is just pleased that his triryche zipper coordinates with his bandana.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Patiently taking another photo.
(From left: Eddie Jackson, Michael Wilton and Scott Rockenfield.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Geoff Tate
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Geoff Tate
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Michael Wilton, left, and Mike Stone.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Michael Wilton, left, and Mike Stone.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Eddie Jackson, left, and Scott Rockenfield.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Eddie Jackson, left, and Scott Rockenfield.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Another favorite from the night’s shots. Geoff Tate sings Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine.”
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Yet another fave of Geoff Tate.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Mike Stone
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

The following series makes it clear how much these two love jamming together.
(Michael Wilton, left, and Mike Stone.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Michael Wilton, left, and Mike Stone.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Michael Wilton, left, and Mike Stone.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Priceless.
(Michael Wilton, left, and Mike Stone.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Geoff Tate keeps on wailing.
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Geoff Tate
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

Geoff Tate listens to the crowd: The sound of a job well done.
(From left: Eddie Jackson, Michael Wilton, Tate, Scott Rockenfield and Mike Stone.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.

The big finish.
(From left: Eddie Jackson, Geoff Tate, Michael Wilton, Scott Rockenfield and Mike Stone.)
Photo © 2008/Christa Titus.