Once Queensr˙che tasted some mainstream exposure with Operation: Mindcrime, the expectation was they'd try and duplicate that success with another concept album - a thought process not shared by the band. Queensr˙che used the opportunity to completely forget about themes and concepts and embraced writing individual songs - cuts that stood strong by themselves, without relying on each other.

The result was Queensr˙che's highest-selling album to date, at more than three million copies worldwide - Empire.

Spearheaded by guitarist Chris DeGarmo, Queensr˙che maintained its high level of musicianship and integrity crafted an album of songs that hit - and hit hard with the mainstream hard rock audience. In total, the band released six singles from Empire: the title track, "Jet City Woman," "Silent Lucidity," "Best I Can," "Another Rainy Night (Without You)" and "Anybody Listening?"

The tour in support of Empire (dubbed the "Building Empires" tour) kicked off in Europe in November 1990, and didn't conclude until early 1992. Even then, the band still performed various one-off gigs and award shows until June of that year. A true headliner, the band finally was able to perform Operation: Mindcrime in its entirety, sandwiched in-between material from Empire and its other albums. Seeing Queensr˙che in concert was no longer just a show, it was a two-and-a-half hour event, and the band delivered on a nightly basis, utilizing a huge stage, laser show, synchronized video and much more to complement its arsenal of songs.

Releases

Empire (1990)

Operation: LIVEcrime (1991)

Building Empires (1992)

Article Scans

Metal Hammer (1990 pt. 1)

Metal Hammer (1990 pt. 2)

Metal Hammer (1990 pt. 3)

Metal Hammer (1990 pt. 4)

RAW (1990 pt. 1)

RAW (1990 pt. 2)

RAW (1990 pt. 3)

Circus (1990 pt. 1)

Circus (1990 pt. 2)

Circus (1990 pt. 3)

Circus (other issue) (1990 )

Circus (1991 pt. 1)

Circus (1991 pt. 2)

Guitar (Aug. 1993 pt. 1)

Guitar (Aug. 1993 pt. 2)

Guitar (Aug. 1993 pt. 3)

Guitar (Aug. 1993 pt. 4)

Guitar (Aug. 1993 pt. 5)

Guitar (March 1991 pt. 1)

Guitar (March 1991 pt. 2)

Guitar (March 1991 pt. 3)

Guitar (March 1991 pt. 4)

Guitar Player (Nov. 1991 pt. 1)

Guitar Player (Nov. 1991 pt. 2)

Guitar Player (Nov. 1991 pt. 3)

Guitar Player (Nov. 1991 pt. 4)

Guitar Player (Nov. 1991 pt. 5)

Guitar Player (Nov. 1991 pt. 6)

Guitar Player (Nov. 1991 pt. 7)

Guitar Player (Nov. 1991 pt. 8)

Guitar Player (Nov. 1991 pt. 9)

Guitar World (Jan. 1991 pt. 1)

Guitar World (Jan. 1991 pt. 2)

Guitar World (Jan. 1991 pt. 3)

Guitar World (Jan. 1991 pt. 4)

Guitar World (Jan. 1991 pt. 5)

Guitar World (March 1990 pt. 1)

Guitar World (March 1990 pt. 2)

Guitar World (March 1990 pt. 3)

Guitar World (Nov. 1990 pt. 1)

Guitar World (Nov. 1990 pt. 2)

Guitar World (Nov. 1990 pt. 3)

Guitar World (Nov. 1990 pt. 4)

Guitar World (Nov. 1990 pt. 5)

Guitar World (Nov. 1990 pt. 6)

Guitar World (Nov. 1990 pt. 7)

Guitar World (Nov. 1990 pt. 8)

Guitar World (Special) (Jan. 1992 pt. 1)

Guitar World (Special) (Jan. 1992 pt. 2)

Guitar World (Special) (Jan. 1992 pt. 3)

Hit Parader (Fall 1990)

Metal Edge (Fall 1990)

Hit Parader (Dec. 1990 pt. 1)

Hit Parader (Dec. 1990 pt. 2)

Hit Parader (Dec. 1990 pt. 3)

Hit Parader (Dec. 1990 pt. 4)

Hit Parader (Dec. 1990 pt. 5)

Island Ear (July 1991 pt. 1)

Island Ear (July 1991 pt. 2)

Island Ear (July 1991 pt. 3)

Island Ear (July 1991 pt. 4)

Island Ear (July 1991 pt. 5)

Metal Hammer (1990 pt. 1)

Metal Hammer (1990 pt. 2)

Metal Edge (1990 pt. 1)

Metal Edge (1990 pt. 2)

Metal Edge (1990 pt. 3)

Metal Edge (1990 pt. 4)

Metal Edge (Late Sum. '91 pt. 1)

Metal Edge (Late Sum. '91 pt. 2)

Metal Edge (Late Sum. '91 pt. 3)

Z Rock (Sept./Oct. '90 pt. 1)

Z Rock (Sept./Oct. '90 pt. 2)

Z Rock (Sept./Oct. '90 pt. 3)

RIP (July 1991 pt. 1)

RIP (July 1991 pt. 2)

RIP (July 1991 pt. 3)

RIP (July 1991 pt. 4)

RIP (Dec. 1991 pt. 1)

RIP (Dec. 1991 pt. 2)

RIP (Dec. 1991 pt. 3)

RIP (Dec. 1991 pt. 4)

RIP (Oct. 1991 pt. 1)

RIP (Oct. 1991 pt. 2)

Rock Beat (1991 pt. 1)

Rock Beat (1991 pt. 2)

Rock Beat (1992 pt. 1)

Rock Beat (1992 pt. 2)

Rolling Stone (1990 pt. 1)

Rolling Stone (1990 pt. 2)

Unknown (1991 pt. 1)

Unknown (1991 pt. 2)

Unknown (1991 pt. 3)

Unknown (1991a pt. 1)

Unknown (1991a pt. 2)

Unknown L.I. publication (1991)

Kerrang 307 (Sept. 1990-cover)

Kerrang 307 (Sept. 1990-pt.1)

Kerrang 307 (Sept. 1990-pt.3)

Kerrang 307 (Sept. 1990-pt.3)

Kerrang 307 (Sept. 1990-pt.4)

Kerrang 336 (Part 1)

Kerrang 336 (Part 2)

Kerrang 336 (Part 3)

Kerrang 336 (Part 4)

Kerrang Sept. 8, 1990 (Part 1)

Kerrang Sept. 8, 1990 (Part 2)

Kerrang 314 (Nov. 1990-cover)

Kerrang 314 (Nov. 1990-pt.1)

Kerrang 314 (Nov. 1990-pt.2)

Kerrang 314 (Nov. 1990-pt.3)

Kerrang 314 (Nov. 1990-pt.4)

Metal Hammer (July 1991 pt.1)

Metal Hammer (July 1991 pt.2)

Metal Hammer (July 1991 pt.3)

Metal Hammer (July 1991 pt.4)

Metal Forces (Sept. 1991 pt.1)

Metal Forces (Sept. 1991 pt.2)

Metal Hammer (Dec. 3, 1990-cover)

Metal Hammer (Dec. 3, 1990-pt.1)

Metal Hammer (Dec. 3, 1990-pt.2)

Metal Hammer (Dec. 3, 1990-pt.3)

Metal Hammer (Dec. 3, 1990-pt.4)

Rockbeat (Feb. 1991 pt.1)

Rockbeat (Feb. 1991 pt.2)

A Capitol Monsters of Rock (August 1991-pt.1)

A Capitol Monsters of Rock (August 1991-pt.2)

Heavy Rock - Spain

RAW (1992 pt. 1)

RAW (1992 pt. 2)

RAW (1992 pt. 3)

RAW (1992 pt. 4)

RAW (1992 pt. 5)

RAW (1992 pt. 6)

unknown (1992)

Bravo - Germany-pt.1

Bravo - Germany-pt.2

Band Photos

Empire Era Promo Shot

Empire Era Promo Shot

Empire Era Promo Shot

Empire Era Promo Shot

Empire Era Promo Shot

Empire Era Promo Shot

Empire Era Promo Shot

Empire Era Promo Shot

Empire Era Promo Shot

Empire Era Promo Shot

Empire Era Promo Shot

Empire Era Promo Shot 2

Empire Era Promo Shot 1

Empire Era Promo Shot 4

Empire Era Promo Shot 3

CDG & GT Promo Shot

CDG & GT Promo Shot 2

GT & CDG circa 1991

DeGarmo - live, circa 1991

Wilton - live, circa 1991

Billboard Awards 1992

MTV Music Awards 1992

Misc. Scans

"Empire" Single Ad

"Best I Can" Single Ad

Empire LP Promo Ad

"Another Rainy Night" Ad

"ARN" Promo Sheet

Empire LP Ad

Building Empires Promo Ad

WBAB

FC Check

Empire Brochure Pt. 1

Empire Brochure Pt. 2

Tour Dates

The Building Empires Tour (1990-1992)

DATE	LOCATION	VENUE
October 29, 1990	Dublin, IRELAND	S.F.X. Centre
October 31, 1990	Belfast, IRELAND	Unknown
November 1, 1990	Edinburgh, SCOTLAND	Playhouse
November 2, 1990	Newcastle, UK	Newcastle City Hall
November 4, 1990	Nottingham, UK	Royal Concert Hall
November 5, 1990	Bradford, UK	St. George's Hall
November 6, 1990	Liverpool, UK	Royal Court
November 8, 1990	Newport, UK	Centre
November 9, 1990	Poole, UK	Poole Arts Centre
November 11, 1990	Manchester, UK	Manchester Apollo
November 12, 1990	Aston Villa, UK	Leisure Centre
November 14, 1990	London, UK	Hammersmith Odeon
November 15, 1990	London, UK	Hammersmith Odeon
November 18, 1990	Hamburg, GERMANY	Griss Freiheit 36
November 19, 1990	Bonn, GERMANY	Biskuithalle
November 20, 1990	Ichtegen, BELGIUM	Sporthal Keiberg
November 22, 1990	Hanover, GERMANY	Music Hall
November 23, 1990	Neumarkt, GERMANY	Unknown
November 24, 1990	Wertheim, GERMANY	Main-Tauber-Halle
November 26, 1990	Munich, GERMANY	Unknown
November 27, 1990	Ludwigsburg, GERMANY	Forum
November 29, 1990	Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS	Edenhalle
November 30, 1990	Paris, FRANCE	Elysee Montmartre
December 2, 1990	Senden, SWITZERLAND	Unknown
December 3, 1990	Zurich, SWITZERLAND	Volkshaus
December 5, 1990	Firenze, ITALY	Unknown
December 6, 1990	Milan, ITALY	Rolling Stone Theater
January 23, 1991	Rio De Janeiro, BRAZIL	Meracana Soccer Stadium
January 29, 1991	Tokyo, JAPAN	NHK Hall
February 1, 1991	Osaka, JAPAN	Festival Hall
February 3, 1991	Tokyo, JAPAN	NHK Hall
February 4, 1991	Tokyo, JAPAN	NHK Hall
February 6, 1991	Yokohama, JAPAN	The Gym
April 15, 1991	Amarillo, Texas	Civic Center
April 17, 1991	El Paso, Texas	Special Events Center
April 19, 1991	Houston, Texas	The Summit
April 20, 1991	Dallas, Texas	Reunion Arena
April 21, 1991	Lubbock, Texas	Lubbock Coliseum
April 23, 1991	Odessa, Texas	Ector County Coliseum
April 24, 1991	San Antonio, Texas	Freeman Coliseum
April 25, 1991	Austin, Texas	Frank Erwin Center
April 27, 1991	New Orleans, LA	Lakefront Arena
April 29, 1991	Wichita, KS	The Coliseum
April 30, 1991	Oklahoma City, OK	Myriad
May 1, 1991	Tulsa, OK	Expo Square Fairgrounds
May 3, 1991	St. Louis, MO	St. Louis Arena
May 4, 1991	Kansas City, MO	Municipal Auditorium
May 5, 1991	Omaha, NE	Civic Auditorium
May 7, 1991	Duluth, MN	Duluth Arena
May 8, 1991	Minneapolis, MN	Target Center
May 10, 1991	Madison, WI	Dane City Coliseum
May 11, 1991	Milwaukee, WI	Mecca Arena
May 12, 1991	LaCrosse, WI	Civic Center
May 14, 1991	Cedar Rapids, IA	Five Seasons Center
May 15, 1991	Des Moines, IA	Veterans Auditorium
May 17, 1991	Chicago, IL	Rosemont Horizon
May 18, 1991	Green Bay, WI	Brown County Arena
May 19, 1991	Indianapolis, IN	Market Square Arena
May 21, 1991	Toledo, Ohio	Sports Arena
May 22, 1991	Louisville, KY	The Gardens
May 24, 1991	Columbus, Ohio	Ohio Center
May 25, 1991	Cleveland, Ohio	Richfield Coliseum
May 26, 1991	Saginaw, MI	Wendler Arena
May 28, 1991	Peoria, IL	Civic Center
May 29, 1991	Evansville, IN	Roberts Stadium
May 31, 1991	Kalamazoo, MI	Wings Stadium
June 1, 1991	Detroit, MI	Joe Louis Arena
June 2, 1991	Fort Wayne, IN	Memorial Coliseum
June 4, 1991	Dayton, Ohio	Hara Arena
June 5, 1991	Pittsburgh, PA	Civic Arena
June 7, 1991	Rochester, NY	War Memorial
June 8, 1991	Buffalo, NY	Memorial Coliseum
June 19, 1991	Little Rock, AK	Barton Coliseum
June 21, 1991	Shreveport, LA	Hirsch Coliseum
June 22, 1991	Jackson, MS	Fairgrounds Coliseum
June 23, 1991	Birmingham, AL	Jefferson
June 25, 1991	Huntsville, AL	Von Braun
June 26, 1991	Memphis, TN	Mid-South
June 28, 1991	Chattanooga, TN	Univ. of Tennessee
June 30, 1991	Atlanta, GA	The Omni
July 2, 1991	St. Petersburg, FL	Bayfront Arena
July 3, 1991	Miami, FL	Miami Arena
July 5, 1991	Orlando, FL	Orlando Arena
July 6, 1991	Jacksonville, FL	Jacksonville Coliseum
July 7, 1991	Pensacola, FL	Civic Center
July 9, 1991	Nashville, TN	Municipal Auditorium
July 10, 1991	Knoxville, TN	Civic Coliseum
July 12, 1991	Charlotte, NC	Charlotte Coliseum
July 13, 1991	Greensboro, NC	Greensboro Coliseum
July 14, 1991	Columbia, SC	Carolina Coliseum
July 16, 1991	Norfolk, VA	Scope Arena
July 17, 1991	Richmond, VA	Richmond Coliseum
July 19, 1991	Fairfax, VA	Patriot Center
July 20, 1991	Binghamton, NY	Broom County Arena
July 21, 1991	Portland, ME	Cumberland County Arena
July 23, 1991	Philadelphia, PA	The Spectrum
July 24, 1991	East Rutherford, NJ	Meadowlands Arena
July 26, 1991	Uniondale, NY	Nassau Coliseum
July 27, 1991	Worcester, MA	Centrum Arena
July 28, 1991	Albany, NY	Knickerbocker Arena
July 30, 1991	Providence, RI	Providence Civic Center
July 31, 1991	Hartford, CT	Hartford Civic Center
August 10, 1991	Copenhagen, DENMARK	Gentofte Stadium
August 13, 1991	Katovice, POLAND	Slask Stadium
August 17, 1991	Donington, UK	Donington Park
August 22, 1991	Budapest, HUNGARY	NEP Stadium
August 24, 1991	Munich, GERMANY	Galopprennbahn Riem
August 25, 1991	Basel, SWITZERLAND	Fussballstadion St. Jakob
August 27, 1991	Berlin, GERMANY	Waldbuhne Ampitheater
August 28, 1991	Berlin, GERMANY	Waldbuhne Ampitheater
August 30, 1991	Hasselt, BELGIUM	Domein Kiewt
August 31, 1991	Hannover, GERMANY	Nieder-Sachsen Stadium
September 1, 1991	Nijmegen, HOLLAND	Goffer Stadium
September 5, 1991	Los Angeles, CA	Universal Amphitheater (MTV Awards)
September 7, 1991	Mainz, GERMANY	Air Base
September 8, 1991	Gelsenkirche, GERMANY	Unknown
September 11, 1991	Graz, AUSTRIA	Liebenau
September 14, 1991	Modena, ITALY	Festa De L'unita
September 17, 1991	Dortmund, GERMANY	Westfalenhalle
September 18, 1991	Dortmund, GERMANY	Westfalenhalle
September 21, 1991	Paris, FRANCE	Hippodrome De VIncennes
September 22, 1991	Luxembourg, LUXEMBOURG	Westfalenhalle
September 24, 1991	Barcelona, SPAIN	Olympic Stadium (QR cancelled)
October 12, 1991	Oakland, CA	Oakland Coliseum (Day on the Green)
October 17, 1991	Edmonton, Alb., CANADA	Northland Coliseum
October 18, 1991	Calgary, ALB, CANADA	Olympic Saddledome
October 21, 1991	Winnipeg, MN, CANADA	Winnepeg Arena
October 22, 1991	Fargo, ND	Fargo Sports Arena
October 24, 1991	Toronto, ONT, CANADA	Maple Leaf Gardens
October 25, 1991	Auburn Hills, MI	The Palace
October 27, 1991	Quebec, PQ, CANADA	Colisee De Quebec
October 28, 1991	Ottawa, ONT, CANADA	Ottawa Civic Center
October 29, 1991	Monteal, QUE, CANADA	Montreal Forum
October 31, 1991	Bangor, ME	Bangor Auditorium
November 1, 1991	Halifax, NOVA SCOTIA	Metro Center
November 3, 1991	Bethlehem, PA	Stabler Arena
November 4, 1991	Syracuse, NY	War Memorial Auditorium
November 5, 1991	Boston, MA	Boston Garden
November 7, 1991	Baltimore, MD	Baltimore Arena
November 8, 1991	Hershey, PA	Hershey Park Arena
November 9, 1991	Charlestown, WV	Unknown
November 11, 1991	Johnstown, PA	War Memorial
November 12, 1991	Wheeling, WV	Wheeling Civic Center
November 13, 1991	Cincinnati, Ohio	Cincinnati Gardens
November 15, 1991	Lexington, KY	Rupp Arena
November 17, 1991	Muskegon, MI	LC Walker Arena
November 19, 1991	Rochester, MN	Mayo Civic Center
November 20, 1991	Springfield, IL	Prairie Arena
November 21, 1991	Manhattan, KS	Bramlage Arena
November 22, 1991	Sioux Falls, SD	Sioux Falls Arena
November 24, 1991	Denver, Colo.	McNichols Arena
November 25, 1991	Denver, Colo.	McNichols Arena
November 26, 1991	Denver, Colo.	McNichols Arena
November 27, 1991	Las Vegas, NV	Thomas & Mack Arena
November 29, 1991	Sacramento, CA	Arco Arena
November 30, 1991	Daly City, CA	Cow Palace
December 1, 1991	Reno, NV	Lawler Arena
December 4, 1991	Boise, ID	State Pavilion
December 5, 1991	Salt Lake City, Utah	Delta Center
December 7, 1991	Albuquerque, NM	Tingley Coliseum
December 9, 1991	San Diego, CA	Sports Arena
December 10, 1991	Tucson, AZ	Community Center
December 11, 1991	Phoenix, AZ	Unknown
December 13, 1991	Long Beach, CA	Long Beach Arena
December 14, 1991	Long Beach, CA	Long Beach Arena
December 15, 1991	Long Beach, CA	Long Beach Arena
December 28, 1991	Vancouver, BC, CANADA	Pacific Coliseum
December 30, 1991	Portland, OR	Memorial Coliseum
December 31, 1991	Seattle, WA	Seattle Center Coliseum
January 1, 1992	Seattle, WA	Seattle Center Coliseum
January 3, 1992	Spokane, WA	Spokane Coliseum
February 2, 1992	Grammy Awards	Unknown
April 27, 1992	Los Angeles, CA	MTV Studios
June 6, 1992	George, WA	The Gorge

NOTE: If you have any dates not included on here, and ticket stubs/information to prove accuracy, please e-mail me. I am always on the hunt for live photos from shows, as well as promo posters, set lists, etc.