Chris DeGarmo (born Christopher Lee DeGarmo on June 14, 1963) is an American heavy metal and hard rock guitarist best known for his seventeen-year tenure (1981–1998) as a lead and rhythm guitarist in the progressive metal band Queensrÿche, which he co-founded, and with whom he played during their most commercially successful period. Since departing from the band, DeGarmo has made his living as a professional charter pilot. In recent years, he has been making music with his daughter Rylie DeGarmo under the name The Rue. He was nominated for three Grammy Awards as a songwriter.