Guitarist Parker Lundgren Quits Queensrÿche
Guitarist Parker Lundgren has announced his departure from Queensrÿche after a dozen years with the band.
Explains Lundgren in a statement:
“For several years, I have been deeply immersed in collecting and selling guitars, as well as rare and fascinating musical instruments. This passion led to the opening of my guitar store Diablo Guitars in 2019. Since then, my business has grown and I recently acquired a storefront with a full-service repair shop. In 2020, my wife and I opened Lucky Devil Latte, which has quickly expanded to multiple locations. With these new endeavors and ensuing responsibilities, my time to devote to Queensrÿche has become increasingly strained, and I no longer am able to commit the time and focus it deserves. For these reasons, I have made the difficult decision to step down from my role as guitarist in Queensrÿche.
“I want to thank my friends, family, and fans for making the past 13 years an amazing journey. I wish nothing but the best for my fellow band members, crew and everyone who has supported us.”
In their own statement, Queensrÿche call Lundgren “a wonderful human being” who “will always be family to us.”
Rumors that Lundgren may have split from the band have been swirling for a minute now.
Earlier this year, estranged drummer Scott Rockenfield, who took paternity leave from the band in 2017 then all but entirely disappeared from the public eye, reemerged with a new website, Queensryche2021.com, that had vocalist Todd La Torre and Lundgren cropped out of a band photo (the band’s official channels made no mention of the site). La Torre and Rockenfield passive-aggressively sparred publicly before the band played their first show since the pandemic, which included La Torre but no Lundgren, and Casey Grillo on drums (he’s been filling in live since Rockenfield’s hiatus began).
Rumors of Lundgren’s resignation heated up earlier this week, when the band shared a photo of La Torre and founding guitarist Michael Wilton in the studio with producer Zeuss — but no sign of Lundgren.
Lundgren originally joined Queensrÿche in 2009. He appears on their albums Dedicated to Chaos (2011), Queensrÿche (2013), Condition Hüman (2015), and The Verdict (2019).
He was formerly part of ex-Queensrÿche singer Geoff Tate’s solo band, and was once married to Tate’s stepdaughter, Miranda.
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