Career Timeline of Chris DeGarmo: Major Achievements and Milestones

Updated: November 22, 2025

How Chris DeGarmo built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Chris DeGarmo is an American guitarist and songwriter, prominently known as a co-guitarist and songwriter for the progressive metal band Queensrÿche from 1980 to 1997, a period of significant commercial success for the band. He contributed to Jerry Cantrell's solo work and co-founded the band Spys4Darwin. Leaving Queensrÿche, DeGarmo became a private jet pilot. Since 2009, he has been involved in music with his daughter, performing as The Rue, and contributed to Alice in Chains' 2018 album. DeGarmo has received three Grammy Award nominations as a songwriter.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1979: Joining Interlake High School and forming Tempest

In 1979, Chris DeGarmo joined Interlake High School as a sophomore. DeGarmo formed the band "Tempest" with singer and bass player Mark Hovland and drummer Kevin Hodges on drums, who later moved on, and was replaced by Mark Welling, after which the band was renamed to D-H-W (DeGarmo-Hovland-Welling).

1980: Joining Cross+Fire

In 1980, Chris DeGarmo and Mark Hovland joined Cross+Fire which was founded by Michael Wilton and Scott Rockenfield. The band played covers of bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.

1980: Formation of Queensrÿche

In 1980, Chris DeGarmo formed Queensrÿche where he served as co-guitarist, backing vocalist, and primary songwriter until 1997.

1982: Name change to Queensrÿche

In 1982, the band switched from playing cover songs to writing original material. After recording their debut EP, the band settled on the name Queensrÿche.

1991: Release of "Silent Lucidity"

In 1991, Chris DeGarmo released "Silent Lucidity" which became a hit, reaching the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning him a BMI songwriter's award.

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1994: Release of "Promised Land" Album

In 1994, Queensrÿche released the album "Promised Land", featuring the song "Bridge" written by DeGarmo about his difficult childhood and relationship with his father and grandfather.

1997: Departure from Queensrÿche

In 1997, Chris DeGarmo departed from Queensrÿche, marking the end of his tenure as a full-time member during their most commercially successful period.

1997: DeGarmo's Departure

Since DeGarmo's departure in 1997, the line-up changed for Queensrÿche.

January 28, 1998: Public Announcement of Departure

On January 28, 1998, it was publicly announced that Chris DeGarmo had left Queensrÿche, though he had departed in late 1997.

1998: Touring with Jerry Cantrell

In 1998, Chris DeGarmo joined Jerry Cantrell's band for his solo tour, expanding his musical collaborations beyond Queensrÿche.

1998: Kelly Gray Succeeded DeGarmo

In 1998, Kelly Gray succeeded Chris DeGarmo in Queensrÿche, taking over his role in the band.

1999: Co-founding Spys4Darwin

In 1999, Chris DeGarmo co-founded the project Spys4Darwin with Sean Kinney, featuring Vinnie Dombroski and Mike Inez, after touring with Jerry Cantrell.

August 4, 2001: Live Debut of Spys4Darwin at Endfest

On August 4, 2001, Spys4Darwin made their live debut at the Endfest in Seattle, showcasing DeGarmo's new musical project.

2002: Appearance on Degradation Trip

In 2002, Chris DeGarmo appeared on Jerry Cantrell's album Degradation Trip, playing slide guitar on the track "Anger Rising".

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2002: Contribution to Degradation Trip

In 2002, Chris DeGarmo contributed to Jerry Cantrell's album, Degradation Trip, further showcasing his musical talents outside of Queensrÿche.

2002: Mike Stone Replaced Kelly Gray

In 2002, Mike Stone replaced Kelly Gray in Queensrÿche, continuing the band's line-up changes after DeGarmo's departure.

2003: Brief Return to Queensrÿche

In 2003, Chris DeGarmo briefly returned to Queensrÿche for collaborations after his departure in 1997.

February 18, 2005: Tsunami Continued Care Relief Concert

On February 18, 2005, Chris DeGarmo joined the remaining members of Alice in Chains and other Seattle artists for the Tsunami Continued Care Relief Concert.

2007: Second Collaboration with Queensrÿche

In 2007, Chris DeGarmo again collaborated with Queensrÿche, following his initial return in 2003 after leaving the band in 1997.

2007: "Justified" Included on Sign of the Times

In 2007, the song "Justified", written by Chris DeGarmo, was included on the collector's edition of Queensrÿche's greatest hits album, Sign of the Times, after being excluded from the Tribe album.

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2009: Parker Lundgren Joined Queensrÿche

In 2009, Parker Lundgren joined Queensrÿche, marking another shift in the band's composition following previous changes.

2009: The Rue project

Since 2009, Chris DeGarmo began making music with his daughter Rylie DeGarmo under the name The Rue.

2009: Collaboration with Daughter on The Rue

Since 2009, Chris DeGarmo has been working on a project called The Rue with his daughter Rylie DeGarmo, marking a new musical endeavor.

2015: Release of The Rue's Debut EP

In 2015, The Rue, Chris DeGarmo's project with his daughter Rylie DeGarmo, released their self-titled six-song debut EP.

2017: Recording at Studio X

In the summer of 2017, Jerry Cantrell struggled with the acoustic part on the track "Drone" and enlisted Chris DeGarmo to play acoustic guitar instead.

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2018: Collaboration on Rainier Fog

In 2018, Chris DeGarmo collaborated with Alice in Chains on their album, Rainier Fog, showcasing his continued involvement in the music scene.

2018: Playing Acoustic Guitar on "Drone"

In 2018, Chris DeGarmo played acoustic guitar on the track "Drone" from Alice in Chains' sixth album, Rainier Fog, contributing his skills to the band's project.

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