Queens of the Stone Age: History, Health & 2025 Tour

Few rock bands have reinvented themselves as often — or as dramatically — as Queens of the Stone Age, and behind the heavy riffs and desert-rock swagger lies a story of near-constant change: members have come and gone, the frontman survived a serious health crisis, and a famous guest drummer’s personal life made headlines. This guide connects the band’s evolution, Josh Homme’s 2022 cancer surgery, and the 2025 tour that proved they’re still a live force.

Formed: 1996 in Seattle, Washington ·
Founding member: Josh Homme (vocals, guitar) ·
Studio albums: 8 (as of 2025) ·
Key albums: Songs for the Deaf (2002), …Like Clockwork (2013) ·
Genre: Stoner rock, alternative rock, hard rock ·
Current label: Matador Records

Six facts in a single table: a quick look at the band’s official stats.

Why was Dave Grohl in Queens of the Stone Age?

The recording of Songs for the Deaf

In 2002, Queens of the Stone Age entered the studio to record their third album, Songs for the Deaf — with Dave Grohl behind the kit. Grohl, then on hiatus from Foo Fighters and already a rock icon from Nirvana, was recruited to play drums on the entire record (Wikipedia (band contributors list)).

• Grohl’s drumming gave the album a harder, more aggressive edge (Last.fm band wiki).
• He also joined the subsequent tour, making him a part of the band’s live lineup for a period (Sungenre (music database)).

Grohl’s role as drummer on the album and tour

Grohl was never a permanent member — his involvement was project‑based. As the band’s Wikipedia contributors page notes, he is listed as a contributor rather than a full‑time member (Last.fm band wiki). After the tour ended, Queens returned to a revolving‑drummer model before settling on a permanent replacement.

The implication: Grohl’s involvement, while brief, cemented the album as a commercial breakthrough and highlighted the band’s willingness to borrow star power without committing to a permanent lineup.

Who replaced Dave Grohl in Queens of the Stone Age?

Post-Grohl drummers: Joey Castillo and later

After Grohl’s departure, the band needed a consistent drummer for both studio work and touring. Joey Castillo (formerly of Danzig) stepped in and became the primary drummer from 2005 through 2013 (Last.fm band wiki). Castillo played on the albums Lullabies to Paralyze, Era Vulgaris, and the early sessions of …Like Clockwork.

Current drummer Jon Theodore

Jon Theodore (formerly of The Mars Volta) joined the band in 2013 and became the permanent drummer for …Like Clockwork and every album since (Last.fm band wiki). The current lineup — Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Theodore, Michael Shuman, and Dean Fertita — has been stable since 2017 (Sungenre (music database)).

The pattern: each drummer brought a different rhythmic DNA — Castillo’s heavy rock, Theodore’s textured groove. The implication is that Queens of the Stone Age’s sound follows the drummer as much as the guitarist.

What is Josh Homme’s illness?

What this means: the health scare gave the band’s recent material a weight that earlier albums didn’t have — In Times New Roman… is as much about survival as it is about rock.

Cancer diagnosis and surgery in 2022

In 2022, Josh Homme underwent emergency cancer surgery to remove a malignant tumor (Queens of the Stone Age (official site)). The procedure was not publicly discussed in detail at the time, but Homme later opened up about the near‑death experience in interviews, including a 2024 conversation with Rolling Stone (Howland Echoes (music history blog)).

• The surgery forced the band to cancel several 2023 shows (Last.fm band wiki).
• Homme’s recovery became a central theme on the 2023 album In Times New Roman… (Howland Echoes (music history blog)).

Recovery and impact on touring

By 2024, Homme was well enough to return to the road. The band recorded a live album in July 2024 and announced a 2025 tour (Last.fm band wiki). While the full extent of any long‑term health effects remains private, Homme has said his outlook on life and music changed profoundly (American Songwriter (editorial interview reference)).

What this means: the health scare gave the band’s recent material a weight that earlier albums didn’t have — In Times New Roman… is as much about survival as it is about rock.

What has happened to Josh Homme? (Recent updates)

2022 health crisis

• Malignant tumor removed in emergency surgery (Queens of the Stone Age (official site)).
• Homme described the experience as “dark” in a 2024 interview (American Songwriter (editorial interview reference)).

2023–2024 tour cancellations and resumptions

• Band cancelled select 2023 dates to allow Homme to recover (Last.fm band wiki).
• Resumed touring in 2024 with a series of festival appearances and a new live album recorded in July 2024 (Last.fm band wiki).

September 2024 statement

While not directly about Homme, the band’s position received renewed media interest after Dave Grohl’s September 2024 public statement — something that briefly redirected attention to Queens of the Stone Age’s rotating cast of musicians (Wikipedia (band contributors list)).

The consequence: Homme’s survival has become a central part of the band’s story, adding emotional weight to their recent output and live performances.

What did Dave Grohl announce in September 2024?

In September 2024, Dave Grohl announced via a public statement that he had fathered a child outside his marriage. The news quickly became a major media story (Last.fm band wiki).

Infidelity announcement

• Grohl stated that he is working to regain his family’s trust (Howland Echoes (music history blog)).
• No direct impact on Queens of the Stone Age — Grohl has not played with the band since 2013 (Last.fm band wiki).

Public response

Fans and media drew connections to his earlier time with Queens, but the band itself has not commented publicly. The takeaway: the Grohl chapter is closed, but his name remains tied to the band’s most successful album.

What are the most popular Queens of the Stone Age songs?

• “No One Knows” — from Songs for the Deaf (2002). The band’s highest‑charting single (Last.fm band wiki).
• “Go with the Flow” — also from Songs for the Deaf (Howland Echoes (music history blog)).
• “Little Sister” — from Lullabies to Paralyze (2005).
• “The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret” — from Rated R (2000).

Why these songs matter: they span the band’s stylistic range — from mainstream hooks to dark, riff‑driven rock.

Who are the current members of Queens of the Stone Age?

• Josh Homme – vocals, guitar (only constant member since 1996) (Wikipedia (band contributors list)).
• Troy Van Leeuwen – guitar (since 2002) (Wikipedia (band contributors list)).
• Jon Theodore – drums (since 2013) (Last.fm band wiki).
• Michael Shuman – bass (since 2007) (Last.fm band wiki).
• Dean Fertita – keyboards, guitar (since 2007) (Last.fm band wiki).

This lineup has been stable for nearly a decade — the longest stretch of consistency in the band’s history. The implication: Queens of the Stone Age may have finally found a rhythm that works long‑term.

“I had a tumor that was malignant. It was a dark moment — I didn’t know if I’d come through it.”

Josh Homme, in an interview referenced by American Songwriter (editorial interview reference)

“I’m working to be a better person every day.”

Dave Grohl, September 2024 statement (via Howland Echoes (music history blog))

For fans of Queens of the Stone Age, 2025 is a year of cautious optimism. The band is on tour, Homme is recovering, and the music continues to evolve. The choice for casual listeners is clear: catch them live while the lineup is healthy, or wait — because with this band, the only constant is change.

Related reading: Neil Young Tour Cancelled · MF DOOM Cause of Death

Frequently asked questions