The 10 albums that changed Geoff Tate's life

By Patrick Prince

Vocalist Geoff Tate has been hitting quality high notes ever since joining the classy heavy metal band Queensrÿche in the early 1980s. After a highly publicized split from the other Queensrÿche members in 2012, Tate ventured off to form his own version of the band.

Now, Tate teams up his distinctive voice to the high octane music of the group Operation: Mindcrime (named after Queensrÿche’s 1988 conceptual masterpiece). Operation: Mindcrime’s new album, “Resurrection,” will be released on September 23 via Frontiers Music.

Geoff Tate was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to share with Goldmine the 10 albums that changed his life.

The Beatles, Meet the Beatles!

This is actually the first album I ever remember hearing as a child. I was 5 years old at the time of its release and I was drawn to the melodies and harmonies of these great songs like “I Want to Hold Your Hand and “It Won’t Be Long.” This album absolutely shaped my idea of rock music.

Alice Cooper, Billion Dollar Babies

This tour was the first “rock” show I ever attended. The theatrics and overall decadence left a lasting impression on me. The album stayed on my turntable for months.

Yes, Close to the Edge

CTTE is a brilliant record that I still listen to regularly. I have received so much inspiration from this music that I find myself referencing it when talking about music with other musicians. The complexity of the arrangements still challenges me today.

Yes, Tales from Topographic Oceans

This is a very challenging record to listen to for a lot of Yes fans, but one I fell in love with as a teenager.

Jon Anderson, Olias of Sunhillow

To this day, I have never heard ANY music that sounds like the music on this record. I have no idea how Jon came up with this unique vision or how he actually wrote and performed it in the days before digital. It must have taken ages.

Peter Gabriel, Security 

This album changed my life by opening my mind to sound shaping and dynamics within the context of music writing and arrangement. Peter Gabriel is a pioneer and adventurer whom I respect greatly.

Genesis, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

I discovered this record while in high school and was obsessed with it for six months. Brilliant story.

The Rolling Stones, Exile on Main Street

I own the entire Stones catalog; they are by far my favorite rock and roll band. This album, in my opinion, is their greatest compilation.

Kate Bush, The Dreaming 

I love Kate’s voice and the way she tells a story with her music. I own all her albums, but this one is the one I discovered first.

Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here

My friends and I were camping in a remote cabin during the winter. We had hiked through the snow and reached the cabin late at night. Exhausted, we quickly built a fire, made something to eat and went to bed. At first light, I awoke warm in my sleeping bag with the smell of wood smoke and cooking bacon wafting through the crisp air. It was snowing and I watched the snowflakes falling past the window as the opening sounds of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” filled my ears for the first time. It was magic.