It is known that life can change in an instant, for Pamela Moore it was the ten minute magnum opus, “Suite Sister Mary” on Queensryche’s 1988 release, “Operation Mindcrime” that launched her to international fame.
In 1991 The Voice became The Vision with the release of “Operation Livecrime”. Pamela’s duet with Geoff Tate was extraordinary , and the bastion was formed for decades to come.
Ten years later, Pamela joined Queensryche for the “Live Evolution Tour”, embracing fans of the past and welcoming new. Now the journey continues sixteen years after it began with Queensryche’s current World Tour.
To the fans, this luminous beauty with an exquisite talent that takes your breath away, will forever be “The Voice and The Vision” of “Suite Sister Mary”
Have you ever collaborated on an album with Terri Nunn, Gregory Calvinor or Miss Saigon, whom they’re all family members of yours? Or is that a possibility for the future?
Well, I had my sister (Aury) sing back up (along with my brother Patrick) on a song I wrote and recorded called “Reminds Me”. She’s had me do a little back up on her projects too. A few years ago I got the chance to sing with Terri (on one song) at one of her concerts but nothing else, really.
Hey! Now that you mention it… that’s not a bad idea… I should look into that!
You have released 3 solo albums “Take A Look”, “You Won’t Find Me There ” and your most Recent “Pamela Moore – ‘A Retrospective’, where can your fans purchase these albums?
“Take A Look” and “You Won’t Find Me There” were recorded “many moons ago” and are not in print at this time.
“Pamela Moore, A Retrospective” is a collection of 6 songs, 5 of which I wrote with a band called Radar and the other is a song co-written by myself and Paul Speer. The “Retrospective” Ep will be available while I’m on tour with QR and I’ll have it for sale on my website.
In 2000 you released an album with your band Radar on Kivel Records to rave reviews, what is the status of Radar now and can we expect to hear more in the future?
Back then, there was a plan to have another CD released in 2001 but when 9/11 happened, that basically put a halt to everything. I still try and keep in touch with everyone though. They are a very special group of people and I care about them very much.
Your work with Queensryche is truly unforgettable, how did your affiliation with Queensryche begin?
I was singing in a local club band in Seattle and recording a lot of radio and TV commercials. I also worked part time at a local music store called Guitars Etc. It was there that I briefly met Chris DeGarmo and Geoff Tate.
When they were in Montreal recording OMC, they were looking for a female singer to perform the part of Sister Mary on the duet “Suite Sister Mary. I guess they remembered my voice on the Guitars ETC radio & TV commercial and decided to take a chance on me. Chris called me from Montreal and asked me if I’d be interested in trying out for the part. (Obviously I said yes!) It was only a few days later I found myself on a plane to Montreal. That night they gave me a tape to listen to, clued me in on the “story line”. The next morning I’m singing this duet with Geoff!! The rest is history!
What did you think or expect the out come to be in regards to working on the Mind-Crime album and did you have any idea you would still be in such demand 16 years later?
I had no idea “Sister Mary” would become such a huge thing.. At the time I just saw it as a wonderful opportunity to record on an album with some great musicians and producers. Little did I know what I was in for! This has been an amazing ride! A little mind boggling…but truly amazing!
You have toured several times with Queensryche, what changes have you noticed with each tour in regards to you,the band & the audiences?
The audiences are so giving! The energy they send to the stage is extremely intense. You just want to give them 150 percent back! As for the band members.. they’ve always been great to work for but perhaps what I notice even more now is how “seasoned” they’ve become. They shine because they are so polished as performers and musicians.
How has your performance as Sister Mary affected or changed your life? (Beyond the obvious, international fame and being loved and respected by millions.)
Well, I guess you could say it’s afforded me a bit of notoriety that a person like myself (who is in the music business) always hopes for. It’s kept me going musically too and perhaps opened some doors that might otherwise have been difficult to open.
On this American leg of the Queensryche tour that you just competed are there any stand out moments you can share with us?
Yes… I never realized how quickly I could change clothes!
But seriously, nearly every show has been magical. The love I’ve received from the fans has been emotional to say the least. I am very grateful. Very lucky.
As you look back over your career what has been the most unexpected blessing that you have received?
The chance to use my gift. The chance to perform. The chance to live my dream.
What can your fans look forward to in the future from you?
Currently, (or should I say in-between touring) I’m in the studio with a friend of mine, Ben Anderson. We are collaborating on material for a new CD we hope to have out by Summer/early Fall of this year. Ben is such a gifted person and I’m really enjoying writing with him. I’m excited about this new project. I have high hopes!
Pamela your welcome to make a closing statement, feel free to speak your heart.
I’d like to share a quote that means a great deal to me. It came to me in an email just after my father died and for now, it is my mantra..
“Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.”
May your life have many moments that “take your breath away”.
Bless.