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.
 Empire (1990) |
 Operation: LIVEcrime (1991) |
 Building Empires (1992) |
(1990 pt. 1) |
(1990 pt. 2) |
(1990 pt. 3) |
(1990 ) |
(1991 pt. 1) |
(1991 pt. 2) |
(Aug. 1993 pt. 1) |
(Aug. 1993 pt. 2) |
(Aug. 1993 pt. 3) |
(Aug. 1993 pt. 4) |
(Aug. 1993 pt. 5) |
(March 1991 pt. 1) |
(March 1991 pt. 2) |
(March 1991 pt. 3) |
(March 1991 pt. 4) |
(Nov. 1991 pt. 1) |
(Nov. 1991 pt. 2) |
(Nov. 1991 pt. 3) |
(Nov. 1991 pt. 4) |
(Nov. 1991 pt. 5) |
(Nov. 1991 pt. 6) |
(Nov. 1991 pt. 7) |
(Nov. 1991 pt. 8) |
(Nov. 1991 pt. 9) |
(Jan. 1991 pt. 1) |
(Jan. 1991 pt. 2) |
(Jan. 1991 pt. 3) |
(Jan. 1991 pt. 4) |
(Jan. 1991 pt. 5) |
(March 1990 pt. 1) |
(March 1990 pt. 2) |
(March 1990 pt. 3) |
(Nov. 1990 pt. 1) |
(Nov. 1990 pt. 2) |
(Nov. 1990 pt. 3) |
(Nov. 1990 pt. 4) |
(Nov. 1990 pt. 5) |
(Nov. 1990 pt. 6) |
(Nov. 1990 pt. 7) |
(Nov. 1990 pt. 8) |
(Jan. 1992 pt. 1) |
(Jan. 1992 pt. 2) |
(Jan. 1992 pt. 3) |
(Fall 1990) |
(Fall 1990) |
(Dec. 1990 pt. 1) |
(Dec. 1990 pt. 2) |
(Dec. 1990 pt. 3) |
(Dec. 1990 pt. 4) |
(Dec. 1990 pt. 5) |
(July 1991 pt. 1) |
(July 1991 pt. 2) |
(July 1991 pt. 3) |
(July 1991 pt. 4) |
(July 1991 pt. 5) |
(1990 pt. 1) |
(1990 pt. 2) |
(1990 pt. 1) |
(1990 pt. 2) |
(1990 pt. 3) |
(1990 pt. 4) |
(Late Sum. '91 pt. 1) |
(Late Sum. '91 pt. 2) |
(Late Sum. '91 pt. 3) |
(Sept./Oct. '90 pt. 1) |
(Sept./Oct. '90 pt. 2) |
(Sept./Oct. '90 pt. 3) |
(July 1991 pt. 1) |
(July 1991 pt. 2) |
(July 1991 pt. 3) |
(July 1991 pt. 4) |
(Dec. 1991 pt. 1) |
(Dec. 1991 pt. 2) |
(Dec. 1991 pt. 3) |
(Dec. 1991 pt. 4) |
(Oct. 1991 pt. 1) |
(Oct. 1991 pt. 2) |
(1991 pt. 1) |
(1991 pt. 2) |
(1992 pt. 1) |
(1992 pt. 2) |
(1990 pt. 1) |
(1990 pt. 2) |
(1991 pt. 1) |
(1991 pt. 2) |
(1991 pt. 3) |
(1991a pt. 1) |
(1991a pt. 2) |
(1991) |
(Sept. 1990-cover) |
(Sept. 1990-pt.1) |
(Sept. 1990-pt.3) |
(Sept. 1990-pt.3) |
(Sept. 1990-pt.4) |
|
|
|
|
(Part 1) |
(Part 2) |
(Nov. 1990-cover) |
(Nov. 1990-pt.1) |
(Nov. 1990-pt.2) |
(Nov. 1990-pt.3) |
(Nov. 1990-pt.4) |
(July 1991 pt.1) |
(July 1991 pt.2) |
(July 1991 pt.3) |
(July 1991 pt.4) |
(Sept. 1991 pt.1) |
(Sept. 1991 pt.2) |
(Dec. 3, 1990-cover) |
(Dec. 3, 1990-pt.1) |
(Dec. 3, 1990-pt.2) |
(Dec. 3, 1990-pt.3) |
(Dec. 3, 1990-pt.4) |
|
|
(August 1991-pt.1) |
(August 1991-pt.2) |
|
|
|
 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 |
 "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 |
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 |