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When I was a kid (like 9-11), I was fascinated by the "Whatever Happened to" series of books about Hollywood stars who had shone brightly in the 20s, 30s or 40s, but wound up sad, destitute and forgotten.
I've had a similar fascination with Queensrÿche as a great example of a band who was utterly ruined by record company meddling. Just listen to their self-produced, I think, 1985 EP. At the time, it was an absolutely fresh sounding, hard-rocking record, and Scott Rockenfield's drumming was an enormous part of their sound.
Unfortunately, subsequent records were spoiled by unneeded studio sheen as their record company overlords chased MTV glory -- culminating in 1990's "Silent Lucidity," a sad ballad that lamely incorporates Brahms’ "Lullaby." It became a huge hit, reaching #9 on Billboard -- forever locking the band into being a more slickly produced successor to some of the more plodding noodly-doodly (prog) bands of an earlier era, but with huge Bon Jovi choruses.
Back to "Whatever Happened to": After a four-year absence (and I mean a complete disappearance from the public realm, not just appearing on stage) Scott Rockenfield reappeared yesterday to say he's back... In fact, he pretty much says he remains Queensrÿche's drummer -- even though he's seemingly been in hermit-style isolation since he took parental leave from the band in Feb. 2017 -- and was replaced by former Kamelot drummer Casey Grillo, who has been performing with the band ever since.
Weirdly, replacement singer Todd La Torre replaced Rockenfield and Grillo, to drum on the band's 2019 album (the name of which does not matter). FWIW, La Torre took over for Geoff Tate in 2012 after the band gave up on trying to get Tate to spell his first name in the normal way.
In 2019, guitarist Michael Wilton told an interviewer there were no plans for Rockenfield to return to the band, hinting the drummer was having medical problems ... Wilson probably should have been reminded that Def Leppard once kept a drummer on its payroll who had but one arm until he was ready to resume work.
Suddenly, Rockenfield is back as of yesterday ... or at least back on Twitter.
"I most definitely did not and have not quit, walked away from, retired or abandoned Queensrÿche," he tweeted, according to the Brave Words metal news site. He added ominously, "You have not been given the facts."
It's more than a bit like Gloria Swanson as the aging/ancient silent film star in "Sunset Boulevard" crashing a Hollywood film set to declare, "Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close up."
As always, I look forward to your thoughts, speculation and insights on this bizarre situation -- especially if you're Rockenfield, Grillo or La Torre (I'd be fascinated to learn your DrumForum names).
bravewords.com
I've had a similar fascination with Queensrÿche as a great example of a band who was utterly ruined by record company meddling. Just listen to their self-produced, I think, 1985 EP. At the time, it was an absolutely fresh sounding, hard-rocking record, and Scott Rockenfield's drumming was an enormous part of their sound.
Unfortunately, subsequent records were spoiled by unneeded studio sheen as their record company overlords chased MTV glory -- culminating in 1990's "Silent Lucidity," a sad ballad that lamely incorporates Brahms’ "Lullaby." It became a huge hit, reaching #9 on Billboard -- forever locking the band into being a more slickly produced successor to some of the more plodding noodly-doodly (prog) bands of an earlier era, but with huge Bon Jovi choruses.
Back to "Whatever Happened to": After a four-year absence (and I mean a complete disappearance from the public realm, not just appearing on stage) Scott Rockenfield reappeared yesterday to say he's back... In fact, he pretty much says he remains Queensrÿche's drummer -- even though he's seemingly been in hermit-style isolation since he took parental leave from the band in Feb. 2017 -- and was replaced by former Kamelot drummer Casey Grillo, who has been performing with the band ever since.
Weirdly, replacement singer Todd La Torre replaced Rockenfield and Grillo, to drum on the band's 2019 album (the name of which does not matter). FWIW, La Torre took over for Geoff Tate in 2012 after the band gave up on trying to get Tate to spell his first name in the normal way.
In 2019, guitarist Michael Wilton told an interviewer there were no plans for Rockenfield to return to the band, hinting the drummer was having medical problems ... Wilson probably should have been reminded that Def Leppard once kept a drummer on its payroll who had but one arm until he was ready to resume work.
Suddenly, Rockenfield is back as of yesterday ... or at least back on Twitter.
"I most definitely did not and have not quit, walked away from, retired or abandoned Queensrÿche," he tweeted, according to the Brave Words metal news site. He added ominously, "You have not been given the facts."
It's more than a bit like Gloria Swanson as the aging/ancient silent film star in "Sunset Boulevard" crashing a Hollywood film set to declare, "Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close up."
As always, I look forward to your thoughts, speculation and insights on this bizarre situation -- especially if you're Rockenfield, Grillo or La Torre (I'd be fascinated to learn your DrumForum names).
QUEENSRŸCHE Drummer SCOTT ROCKENFIELD - "I Most Definitely Did Not And Have Not Quit, Walked Away, Retired Or Abandoned Queensrÿche"
Drummer Scott Rockenfield took to social media to confirm that he's still a member of Queensrÿche, and hasn't retired from music. Rockenfield, who had a son in February of 2017 and took paternity leave, was replaced by former Kamelot drummer Casey Grillo, who has been performing with the band...
bravewords.com
