Geoff Tate Thinks Queensryche Drummer Scott Rockenfield Has “A Lot of Medical Problems”
Last time former Queensryche vocalist / Bert from Sesame Street lookalike Geoff Tate opined publicly on the situation between his former band and their original drummer, Scott Rockenfield, he surmised the two parties were involved in a lawsuit. “He’s in kind of a really dark place, and I hope he gets some help,” he said, “’cause he’s really unraveled, you know? In my opinion.”
This time, in a new interview, Tate is saying that the drummer has “a lot of medical problems,” and that’s why he’s been absent from the band since 2017 with nary a word to the public.
Which Tate comment to believe? Maybe a bit of both? While Tate unquestionably knows Rockenfield better than most people, he’s been estranged from Queensryche ever since the split in 2012, and he’s also been known as a bit of a loose cannon over the years. Tough to know what’s what here.
Rockenfield took some time off in 2017 following the birth of his son, but what was originally slated to be a few months — with Kamelot’s Casey Grillo filling in — has now turned into three years, with members of the band even saying they have no idea what’s up with him or when he’ll return. Vocalist Todd La Torre played drums on the band’s most recent album, The Verdict.
Now, speaking to Metal Rules, Tate answered the following when asked about the possibility of an eventual reunion with his old bandmates:
“I don’t know if that’ll ever happen, honestly. I don’t see it as likely happening. Again, never say never because things could really change.
“But I don’t know if Scott will ever play drums again. He has a lot of medical problems and things like that now. So yeah, I don’t know. And Chris [DeGarmo, the band’s original guitarist] will never play again.”
Yeesh, I mean, who knows? Having heard absolutely zero publicly about any medical maladies from which Rockenfield might be suffering, and given Tate’s propensity to shit-talk his former bandmates, I’m inclined to take a “wait and see” stance on this one. On the other hand, it’s very possible Tate knows something we don’t. I sure hope Scott is doing alright — I always loved watching him play, and his drum work is integral to ‘Ryche’s early albums.
So… let’s wait and see. More as we get it.
[via Ultimate Guitar]
