Queensryche's new Operation Mindcrime II Queensrche will rock and ride across America for charity beginning in August as the band partners with Buell Motorcycles to raise money for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation during their upcoming U.S. tour (see full itinerary below) sponsored by VH1 Classic.
Throughout the 60-plus date tour, Queensrche is offering fans the rare and exciting opportunity to join singer Geoff Tate and guitarist Mike Stone as they ride custom Buell Ulysses bikes, complete with custom riding jackets and helmets, between select tour stops on the band's tour for Operation: mindcrime II, the sequel to Seattle-based quintet's 1988 platinum-certified concept album.
All concert performances will feature a full stage show, including surround sound, new video imagery and actors playing out both parts of the Operation: Mindcrime saga - Operation: Mindcrime (1988's acclaimed concept album that quickly reached double-platinum status) and Operation: mindcrime II - in their entirety.
Fans that make a donation to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation will be invited to join Tate and Stone as they ride between shows. A full list of start and finish points are available on the band's website - www.queensryche.com.
Erik Buell (right) made this custom guitar for Queensryche guitarist Mike Stone Anyone who makes a donation will be eligible to receive a limited edition sticker patch commemorating the Queensrche charity ride. Log on to www.vh1savethemusic.com and click on the Queensrche donation page to contribute.
In addition to the ride-along opportunity, Queensrche is also donating exclusive prize packages to be auctioned off for the following seven tour stops: Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago, New York, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The exclusive prize packages include two prime tickets to the show in that city, two "meet and greet" backstage passes, a copy of Operation: mindcrime II signed by the entire band, tour swag and a personal item from one of the band members. Buell Motorcycles will also host a sweepstakes on its own website (www.buell.com) prior to the tour where they'll give away two concert tickets and an autographed copy of Operation: mindcrime II every day from Monday, June 26th - Thursday, July 13th.
On Wednesday, September 20th -- prior to their shows at the Nokia Theater in New York City - Tate and Stone will lead a caravan of approximately 3,000 riders who made a donation to the Save the Music Foundation. Starting at the renowned Harley-Davidson dealership Legends in Ledgewood, New Jersey, the caravan will travel over 40 miles to Times Square. The riders will then be invited to attend an exclusive performance by Queensrche at the Hard Rock Caf in New York City (1501 Broadway).
At the end of the first leg of the tour, there will be a ride in Seattle on October 16th and afterwards, both of the custom Buell Ulysses motorcycles ridden by Tate and Stone, along with their custom Buell riding jackets and helmets, will be auctioned to raise money for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.
"As a band, we've always believed in music's profound power to change lives," Tate explains. "Personally, music has always been my saving grace because it's given me a positive way to express my emotions. This charity ride along is a simple way for me to make sure that a new generation will have the same opportunities through music that I had."
A nonprofit organization founded in 1997, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation is dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in America's public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as a part of each child's complete education.
Come out for the ride and stay tuned! Also joining the band for a stretch of their ride will be Executive Editor Brian Catterson and Webmistress Angie Loy.
Custom tanks and helmets commissioned by Erik Buell for bandmates Geoff Tate and Mike Stone. |  | 
Custom artist Will Christman, owner of The Sign Shop in Racine, Wisconsin (right) with Erik Buell (left). |