Thirty years ago today,  one of the greatest concept albums in rock history was released.  'Operation: Mindcrime' by Queensryche.

The album's story revolved around a junkie named Nikki, who is brainwashed into performing assassinations for an underground movement. Nikki is torn over his misplaced loyalty to the cause and his love for Mary, a reformed hooker-turned-nun, who gets in the way.

A slightly cheesy story line but the album start to finish tells a good story.  So many great songs on this record.  It was the first record to launch Queensryche commercially.  They toured behind the album through 1988 including opening for Metallica on the "Damaged Justice" tour. (I saw that tour - 11/19/1988 Battelle Hall, Columbus, OH)

'Operation: Mindcrime' was the first Queensryche album to go platinum, and the song "I Don't Believe In Love" was nominated for a Grammy.

After a few more albums including their best selling album ever 'Empire,' things began to dwindle for Queensryche, including inner band tension.

In 2006 they released 'Operation: Mindcrime II' which received mixed reviews.  The producer later stated that hardly any band members besides Geoff Tate participated in the album due to friction and almost all music was played by studio musicians.

In 2012, the remainder of the band fired singer Geoff Tate.  After a long legal battle where there were two versions of Queensryche touring and releasing albums, they settled.

The remaining members continue to tour under the name 'Queensryche' with a new singer, and are playing Cleveland tomorrow, Friday, May 4th at the Hard Rock Casino.

Geoff Tate continues to tour with his solo band 'Operation: Mindcrime' and he is touring in 2018 for the 30th anniversary of this album, including a stop in Cincinnati on Sunday, June 24th.

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Also released 30 years ago today:

Poison's successful followup to their debut album, their 2nd album 'Open Up and Say...Ahh!'

Poison is touring the country this summer as well, with special guest Cheap Trick.  They are stopping in Cincinnati and Cleveland.