List of Savatage band members
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Savatage_%28PK%29_%E2%80%93_Wacken_Open_Air_2015_01.jpg/200px-Savatage_%28PK%29_%E2%80%93_Wacken_Open_Air_2015_01.jpg)
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Savatage is an American heavy metal band, founded by brothers Jon (vocals) and Criss (guitar) Oliva in 1979, under the name Avatar.[1] The band's first stable line-up in the early eighties also included drummer Steve "Doc" Wacholz, and bassist Keith Collins. Currently the band consists of Jon Oliva, alongside bassist Johnny Lee Middleton (since 1986), guitarist Chris Caffery (who first joined in 1987 as a touring member), singer Zachary Stevens (who first joined in 1992), drummer Jeff Plate (since 1994) and guitarist Al Pitrelli (who first joined in 1995)
History
In 1986 Collins was replaced by Johnny Lee Middleton, and the line-up was expanded in 1987, to include second guitarist Chris Caffery.[2] The nineties began with the band again down to four after Caffery's departure. He was replaced by John Zahner on tour.[3] In 1992 Jon Oliva stepped down as frontman though he remained involved in songwriting. He was replaced by vocalist Zachary Stevens, though Oliva continued to collaborate in the studio. Wacholz also took a hiatus from touring and was replaced by Andy James on tour. The band went on hiatus when Criss Oliva died in a car accident in 1993.
Jon Oliva reformed Savatage in 1994, recording Handful of Rain, with Stevens, new guitarist Alex Skolnick and producer/manager Paul O'Neill. Wacholz and Middleton refused to record as they were grieving Criss Oliva's death. Oliva, Stevens, Skolnick, Middleton and new drummer Jeff Plate all contributed to the supporting tour. The band had a solid lineup from 1995 to 2000 with Al Pitrelli and the returning Caffery replacing Skolnick. In 2000, Stevens and Pitrelli left the band, and Oliva took over lead vocals and Caffery took over lead guitar. In 2001 new members Damond Jiniya (vocals) and Jack Frost (guitar) joined for touring,[4] however Frost was let go in 2002 to make way for the returning Pitrelli,[5] though he was replaced on a tour by Annihilator guitarist Jeff Waters.[6]
In 2014, the band reformed with 1995–2000 line-up returning at Wacken Open Air 2015. But were inactive until 2023 when Jon Oliva confirmed work on a new studio album.[7]
From 1987 on, Paul O'Neill acted as the band's producer, co-lyricist and co-composer, and leads Trans-Siberian Orchestra along with Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli. Stevens, Middleton, Caffery and Plate also perform in Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and former guitarist Alex Skolnick has also performed with the group. In April 2017 it was announced that O'Neill had died at the age of 61.[8]
Members
Current members
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Jon Oliva |
|
| all releases including session appearances on Edge of Thorns (1993)[12] |
![]() | Johnny Lee Middleton |
|
| all releases from Fight for the Rock (1986) onwards, except Handful of Rain (1994) |
![]() | Chris Caffery |
|
|
|
![]() | Zachary Stevens |
| lead vocals | all releases from Edge of Thorns (1993)[12] to present, except Poets and Madmen (2001) |
![]() | Jeff Plate |
| drums | all releases from Japan Live '94 (1995)[26] to present |
![]() | Al Pitrelli |
|
|
|
Former members
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Criss Oliva | 1978–1993 (until his death)[9][28] |
|
| |
Steve "Doc" Wacholz |
| drums | ||
Keith "Thumper" Collins | 1981–1985[32] |
| all releases from City Beneath the Surface EP (1983)[29] to Power of the Night (1985)[33] | |
![]() | Alex Skolnick | 1994[34] | lead guitar |
|
Touring musicians
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
John Zahner | 1991–1992[35] |
| Zahner joined Savatage as touring keyboardist and guitarist following Chris Caffery's departure.[3][36] | |
![]() | Wes Garren | 1993 | Garren took over from Zahner as sole keyboardist and appeared on several live videos.[37] | |
Andy James | drums | James replaced Wacholz who decided not to tour. | ||
![]() | Damond Jiniya | 2001–2002 | lead vocals | Jiniya and Frost joined as touring replacements for Stevens and Pitrelli.[4] Frost was fired to make way for the returning Pitrelli.[5] |
Jack Frost | lead and rhythm guitar | |||
![]() | Jeff Waters | 2002 | Waters performed as co-lead guitarist on Savatage's 2002 Summer tour in place of Pitrelli who was unavailable.[38][6][39] | |
![]() | Bill Hudson | 2015 | Hudson and Kuprij performed with the band at Wacken Open Air in 2015.[40][41] Kuprij will also appear on the bands upcoming album Curtain Call (TBC)[7] | |
Vitalij Kuprij | 2015 (died 2024)[42] | keyboards |
Studio Personnel and Guest Musicians
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Larry Dvoskin | 1986 | keyboards | Fight for the Rock (1986)[43] |
Brent Daniels | backing vocals | |||
![]() | Paul O'Neill |
|
| all releases from Hall of the Mountain King (1987)[44] to Poets and Madmen (2001)[18][45][12][46][26][20][21][22] |
Ray Gillen | 1987 (died 1993) | backing vocals |
| |
![]() | Robert Kinkel |
|
|
|
John Dittmar | 1989 | background shouts and laughs | Gutter Ballet (1989)[18] | |
Stephen Daggett | ||||
Jerry Van Deilen | ||||
Dan Campbell | ||||
Abi Reid | 1991 | female background vocals | Streets: A Rock Opera (1991)[45] | |
Mary Wooten | 1995 | cello | Dead Winter Dead (1995)[20] | |
![]() | John West | 1999–2001 | backing vocals | Poets and Madmen (2001)[22] |
Jane Mangini | 2023–2024 | keyboards | Curtain Call (TBC)[7] |
Avatar (pre-Savatage) members
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Joe Conn[31] | 1978-1979 | drums | none | |
Tony Ciulla[31] | bass | |||
Brian Belenon[47] | 1979 | |||
Pat Dubs[47][32] | 1980 (died 2002) | rhythm guitar | ||
Rich Bigano[32] | 1980 | |||
Andy Gmelin[32] | bass | |||
Fritz | ||||
Bob Boyer[47] | vocals |
Timeline
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/kh8xf60jxgos6hlnct6aklmva8uau5u.png)
Lineups
Period | Members | Studio releases |
---|---|---|
1978–1979 |
| |
1980–1981 |
| |
1981–1985 |
|
|
1986–1987 |
|
|
1987–1990 |
|
|
1990–1992 |
|
|
1992–1993 |
|
|
1993 |
| |
1994–1995 |
|
|
1995–2000 |
|
|
2000–2001 |
|
|
2001–2002 |
| |
2002 |
| |
Band inactive 2002–2014 | ||
2014–2015 |
| none |
On hiatus 2015–2023 | ||
2023–present |
|
|
References
- ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 39. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
- ^ "The Official Savatage Homepage". Savatage.com. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ a b "Keyboardist JOHN 'SPOCK' ZAHNER Pays Tribute To MIDNIGHT". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2009-07-17. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ a b Wolfson, Perrin (October 14, 2001). "SAVATAGE - Poets, Madmen, and More!". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ a b "Former MEGADETH Guitarist Rejoins SAVATAGE". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2002-04-06. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ a b "AL PITRELLI Skips SAVATAGE Tour, ANNNIHILATOR's JEFF WATERS Jumps In". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2002-06-24. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ a b c "JON OLIVA Reveals New SAVATAGE Album Working Title, Lineup And More - "This Will Probably Be The Last Record We Ever Make, Ever"; Video". bravewords.com. April 20, 2023. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ "Paul O'Neill". April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
- ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 39. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
- ^ "Savatage - The Farewell Show - Live In Tampa, Florida 1992 - Bootleg - RevelationZ". www.revelationz.net. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ a b c d e "Official Myspace Page Of SAVATAGE Relaunched in October 2008". myspace.com. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
- ^ a b c d e Edge of Thorns (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 1993. 7567-82488-2.
- ^ "SAVATAGE – The Marquee, London, England (January 7th, 1986) | Live Reviews @ Metal Forces Magazine". Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ "Chris Caffery - Faces - Reviews - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ Jon, Oliva (2011). Streets: A Rock Opera (CD Booklet). Hamburg, Germany: Edel AG. 0204062ERE.
- ^ BraveWords. "SAVATAGE's Gutter Ballet Album Turns 30, Guitarist CHRIS CAFFERY Looks Back - "It Was A Very Special Time In My Life"". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ "Chris Caffery - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ a b c d e Savatage (1989). Gutter Ballet (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 782 008-2.
- ^ a b Savatage (1995). Final Bell - Tribute To Christopher Michael Oliva (liner notes). Zero Corporation. XRCN-1257.
- ^ a b c d e f Savatage (1995). Dead Winter Dead (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 82850-2.
- ^ a b c d e Savatage (1997). The Wake of Magellan (liner notes). Concrete. 0089831CTR.
- ^ a b c d e f Savatage (2001). Poets and Madmen (liner notes). Steamhammer. SPV 088-72150 CD.
- ^ "Zak Stevens - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ "Zachary". Metal Storm. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ MetalTalk (2021-03-19). "MTTV: Jeff Plate / "It was such a thrill to join Savatage" | MetalTalk - Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews". MetalTalk - Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews | We are MetalTalk and we publish Rock 'n Roll. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ a b c d Savatage (2000). Japan Live '94 (liner notes). Nuclear Blast America. NBA6720-2.
- ^ "Al Pitrelli - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ Clay Marshall (2018-11-28). "Still the orchestra plays: remembering Savatage's Criss Oliva". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ a b c Avatar (1983). City Beneath The Surface (liner notes). Regal Zonophone. PAR 1002.
- ^ "Jon Oliva biography". JonOliva.net. Retrieved March 17, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Metal forces #2 (1983 1984) by Francisco Javier - Issuu". issuu.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ a b c d e "Avatar (USA) - Timeline". Metal Storm. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ a b c d Savatage (1985). Power of the Night (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 781 247-1.
- ^ BraveWords. "TESTAMENT Guitarist ALEX SKOLNICK Looks Back On Getting Lessons From JOE SATRIANI, Working With SAVATAGE, And Joining The TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA (Video)". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ "John Zahner - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ "SAVATAGE - Rare Mint Condition Streets Era Poster Featuring JON OLIVA'S PAIN Keyboardist JOHN ZAHNER Up For Auction". bravewords.com. December 9, 2007. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ "Savatage - Follow Me (Live , Philadelphia 1993)". YouTube. May 26, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
- ^ Petras, Nikola. "Interview: Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR)". RockLiveBg.com (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ "SAVATAGE - Live Footage From 2002 Featuring Vocalist DAMOND JINIYA And ANNIHILATOR Guitarist JEFF WATERS Online". bravewords.com. October 4, 2006. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ "TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA Guitarist BILL HUDSON Talks Performing With SAVATAGE At Wacken Open Air - "That Was Just Ridiculous And Surreal"". bravewords.com. October 16, 2016. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ Roth, Dan (June 20, 2016). "A Conversation with Vitalij Kuprij". Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ "SAVATAGE / TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA Vocalist ZAK STEVENS Pays Tribute To Keyboardist VITALIJ KUPRIJ - "There Is No Such Thing As 'Replacing' A Spirit Like Him"". bravewords.com. February 22, 2024. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ a b Savatage (1986). Fight for the Rock (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 7 81634-4.
- ^ a b c d e Savatage (1987). Hall of the Mountain King (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 7 81775-4.
- ^ a b c d Savatage (1991). Streets: A Rock Opera (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 7567-82320-2.
- ^ "Savatage FAQ, Section 3 - The Albums, Part 2". Savatage.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2008.
- ^ a b c "Savatage: os primórdios contados através da banda Avatar". whiplash.net (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-02-20.
- ^ Savatage (1983). Sirens (liner notes). Par Records. PAR 1050.
- ^ Savatage (1985). The Dungeons Are Calling (liner notes). Music For Nations. MFN 42.
- v
- t
- e
- Criss Oliva
- Keith Collins
- Steve "Doc" Wacholz
- Damond Jiniya
- Alex Skolnick
- Jack Frost
- Sirens
- Power of the Night
- Fight for the Rock
- Hall of the Mountain King
- Gutter Ballet
- Streets: A Rock Opera
- Edge of Thorns
- Handful of Rain
- Dead Winter Dead
- The Wake of Magellan
- Poets and Madmen
- "Edge of Thorns"
- "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24"
- Discography
- Band members
- Doctor Butcher
- Testament
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra
- Jon Oliva's Pain
- Circle II Circle
- Machines of Grace
Category:Savatage