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List of Savatage band members

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(from left to right) Zachary Stevens, Chris Caffery, Jon Oliva, Al Pitrelli and Jeff Plate
(from left to right) Chris Caffery, Johnny Lee Middleton, Zachary Stevens
Savatage at Wacken Open Air in 2015

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

[edit]

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.[4] 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,[5] however Frost was let go in 2002 to make way for the returning Pitrelli,[6] though he was briefly replaced on a tour by Annihilator guitarist Jeff Waters.[7]

In 2014, the band reformed with Oliva/Middleton/Caffery/Stevens/Plate/Pitrelli line-up returning at Wacken Open Air 2015. But were inactive until 2023 when Jon Oliva confirmed work on a new studio album.[8] The band will play their first show in April 2025,[9] without Oliva due to his diagnosis of both multiple sclerosis and Ménière's disease.[10]

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.[11]

Members

[edit]

Current members

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Jon_Oliva_(PK)_–_Wacken_Open_Air_2015_01.jpg
 Jon Oliva
  • 1978–1992
  • 1994–2002
  • 2014–2015
  • 2023–present (not touring)

[12][13]

  • lead and backing vocals
  • keyboards (since 1983)
  • guitar (1978–1979, 1994)
  • bass (1978, 1994)
  • drums (1981, 1991, 1994)[14]
 all releases including session appearance on Edge of Thorns (1993)[15]
Savatage – Wacken Open Air 2015 13.jpg
 Johnny Lee Middleton
  • 1986–2002
  • 2014–2015
  • 2023–present
[16][14]
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 all releases from Fight for the Rock (1986) onwards, except Handful of Rain (1994)
Savatage (PK) – Wacken Open Air 2015 05.jpg
 Chris Caffery
  • 1987–1988 (touring)
  • 1989–1990
  • 1994–2002
  • 2014–2015
  • 2023–present
[17][18][19][20]
  • lead and rhythm guitar
  • backing vocals
  • keyboards (1987–1990)
Savatage - Wacken Open Air 2015-0925.jpg
 Zachary Stevens
  • 1992–2000
  • 2014–2015[14]
  • 2023–present
[26][27] 		lead vocals all releases from Edge of Thorns (1993)[15] to present, except Poets and Madmen (2001)
Savatage (PK) – Wacken Open Air 2015 00 (cropped).jpg
 Jeff Plate
  • 1994–2002
  • 2014–2015[14]
  • 2023–present
[28] 		drums all releases from Japan Live '94 (1995)[29] to present
Savatage - Wacken Open Air 2015-0982.jpg
 Al Pitrelli
  • 1995–1999
  • 2002
  • 2014–2015[14]
  • 2023–present
[30]
  • lead and rhythm guitar
  • backing vocals
  • Dead Winter Dead (1995)[23]
  • The Wake of Magellan (1997)[24]
  • Poets and Madmen (2001) (session musician)[25]

Former members

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Criss Oliva 1978–1993 (until his death)[12][31]
  • lead and rhythm guitar
  • backing vocals
  • bass (1991)
Steve "Doc" Wacholz
  • 1977
  • 1979–1993
[33][34][35] 		drums
Keith "Thumper" Collins 1981–1985[35]
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals
 all releases from City Beneath the Surface EP (1983)[32] to Power of the Night (1985)[36]
TESTAMENT-@-Luppolo-In-Rock-2022-Cremona-17-07-2022-08_(52555271030).jpg
 Alex Skolnick 1994[37] lead guitar

Touring musicians

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
John Zahner 1991–1992[38]
  • keyboards
  • rhythm guitar
  • backing vocals
 Zahner joined Savatage as touring keyboardist and guitarist following Chris Caffery's departure.[3][39]
Wes_Styles.jpg
 Wes Garren 1993 Garren took over from Zahner as sole keyboardist and appeared on several live videos.[40]
Andy James drums James replaced Wacholz who decided not to tour.
Result 1595520228088(1).jpg
 Damond Jiniya 2001–2002 lead vocals Jiniya and Frost joined as touring replacements for Stevens and Pitrelli.[5] Frost was fired to make way for the returning Pitrelli.[6]
Jack Frost lead and rhythm guitar
Annihilator_Rockharz_2016_13.jpg
 Jeff Waters 2002 Waters performed as co-lead guitarist on Savatage's 2002 Summer tour in place of Pitrelli who was unavailable.[41][7][42]
Dirkschneider @ Rock Hard Festival 2017 182.jpg
 Bill Hudson 2015 Hudson and Kuprij performed with the band at Wacken Open Air in 2015.[43][44] Kuprij will also appear on the bands upcoming album Curtain Call (TBC)[8]
Vitalij Kuprij 2015 (died 2024)[45] keyboards

Studio Personnel and Guest Musicians

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Larry_Dvoskin-_Singing_in_the_studio.jpg
 Larry Dvoskin 1986 keyboards Fight for the Rock (1986)[46]
Brent Daniels backing vocals
Paul O'Neill (PK) – Wacken Open Air 2015 01.jpg
 Paul O'Neill
  • 1987–2002
  • 2014–2017 (his death)
  • producer
  • lyricist
  • co-composer
  • guitar
  • keyboards
 all releases from Hall of the Mountain King (1987)[47] to Poets and Madmen (2001)[21][48][15][49][29][23][24][25]
Ray Gillen 1987 (died 1993) backing vocals
RobKinkelVilla.png
 Robert Kinkel
  • 1987–1991
  • 1995–2001
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
  • engineering
John Dittmar 1989 background shouts and laughs Gutter Ballet (1989)[21]
Stephen Daggett
Jerry Van Deilen
Dan Campbell
Abi Reid 1991 female background vocals Streets: A Rock Opera (1991)[48]
Mary Wooten 1995 cello Dead Winter Dead (1995)[23]
John_West_1.png
 John West 1999–2001 backing vocals Poets and Madmen (2001)[25]
Jane Mangini 2023–2024 keyboards Curtain Call (TBC)[8]

Avatar (pre-Savatage) members

[edit]
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Joe Conn[34] 1978-1979 drums none
Tony Ciulla[34] bass
Brian Belenon[50] 1979
Pat Dubs[50][35] 1980 (died 2002) rhythm guitar
Rich Bigano[35] 1980
Andy Gmelin[35] bass
Fritz
Bob Boyer[50] vocals

Timeline

[edit]

Lineups

[edit]
Period Members Studio releases

1978–1979

1980–1981

  • Jon Oliva – lead vocals, bass
  • Criss Oliva – guitars, backing vocals
  • Steve "Doc" Wacholz – drums

1981–1985

  • Jon Oliva – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Criss Oliva – guitars, backing vocals
  • Steve "Doc" Wacholz – drums
  • Keith "Thumper" Collins – bass, backing vocals

1986–1987

  • Jon Oliva – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Criss Oliva – guitars, backing vocals
  • Steve "Doc" Wacholz – drums
  • Johnny Lee Middleton – bass, backing vocals

1987–1990

  • Jon Oliva – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Criss Oliva – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve "Doc" Wacholz – drums
  • Johnny Lee Middleton – bass, backing vocals
  • Chris Caffery – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (touring 1987–1988)

1990–1992

  • Jon Oliva – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Criss Oliva – guitars, backing vocals
  • Steve "Doc" Wacholz – drums
  • Johnny Lee Middleton – bass, backing vocals
  • John Zahner – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (touring)

1992–1993

  • Criss Oliva – guitars, backing vocals
  • Steve "Doc" Wacholz – drums
  • Johnny Lee Middleton – bass, backing vocals
  • Zachary Stevens – lead vocals

1993

  • Criss Oliva – guitars, backing vocals
  • Johnny Lee Middleton – bass, backing vocals
  • Zachary Stevens – lead vocals
  • Andy James – drums
  • Wes Garren – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (touring)

1994–1995

  • Johnny Lee Middleton – bass, backing vocals (live only)
  • Zachary Stevens – lead vocals
  • Jon Oliva – keyboards, rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Alex Skolnick – lead guitar
  • Jeff Plate – drums

1995–2000

  • Johnny Lee Middleton – bass, backing vocals
  • Zachary Stevens – lead vocals
  • Jon Oliva – keyboards, vocals
  • Jeff Plate – drums
  • Al Pitrelli – guitar, backing vocals
  • Chris Caffery – guitar, backing vocals

2000–2001

  • Johnny Lee Middleton – bass, backing vocals
  • Jon Oliva – lead vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar
  • Jeff Plate – drums
  • Chris Caffery – lead guitar, backing vocals

2001–2002

  • Johnny Lee Middleton – bass, backing vocals
  • Jon Oliva – vocals, keyboards
  • Jeff Plate – drums
  • Chris Caffery – guitars, backing vocals
  • Damond Jiniya – lead vocals
  • Jack Frost – guitars
2002
  • Johnny Lee Middleton – bass, backing vocals
  • Jon Oliva – vocals, keyboards
  • Jeff Plate – drums
  • Chris Caffery – guitars, backing vocals
  • Damond Jiniya – lead vocals
  • Al Pitrelli – guitars, backing vocals
  • Jeff Waters – guitars, backing vocals (substitute for Pitreli July to August)
Band inactive 2002–2014

2014–2015

  • Johnny Lee Middleton – bass, backing vocals
  • Jon Oliva – keyboards, vocals
  • Jeff Plate – drums
  • Chris Caffery – guitars, backing vocals
  • Al Pitrelli – guitars, backing vocals
  • Zachary Stevens – lead vocals
  • Bill Hudson – guitars (touring)
  • Vitalij Kuprij – keyboards (touring)
 none
On hiatus 2015–2023
2023–present
  • Johnny Lee Middleton – bass, backing vocals
  • Jon Oliva – keyboards, vocals (not touring)
  • Jeff Plate – drums
  • Chris Caffery – guitars, backing vocals
  • Al Pitrelli – guitars, backing vocals
  • Zachary Stevens – lead vocals
  • Curtain Call (TBC)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 39. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
  2. ^ "The Official Savatage Homepage". Savatage.com. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Keyboardist JOHN 'SPOCK' ZAHNER Pays Tribute To MIDNIGHT". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2009-07-17. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  4. ^ "TESTAMENT's ALEX SKOLNICK Reflects On SAVATAGE's CRISS OLIVA Tribute: 'I Chose Not To Think About The Gravity Of The Moment'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2024-09-24. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
  5. ^ a b Wolfson, Perrin (October 14, 2001). "SAVATAGE - Poets, Madmen, and More!". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  6. ^ a b "Former MEGADETH Guitarist Rejoins SAVATAGE". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2002-04-06. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  7. ^ a b "AL PITRELLI Skips SAVATAGE Tour, ANNNIHILATOR's JEFF WATERS Jumps In". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2002-06-24. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "SAVATAGE To Perform At 2025 Edition Of Brazil's MONSTERS OF ROCK Festival". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 2024-10-25. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  10. ^ Blabbermouth (2024-10-29). "SAVATAGE's JON OLIVA Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis And Ménière's Disease". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  11. ^ "Paul O'Neill". April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  12. ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 39. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
  13. ^ "Savatage - The Farewell Show - Live In Tampa, Florida 1992 - Bootleg - RevelationZ". www.revelationz.net. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Official Myspace Page Of SAVATAGE Relaunched in October 2008". myspace.com. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  15. ^ a b c d e Edge of Thorns (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 1993. 7567-82488-2.
  16. ^ "SAVATAGE – The Marquee, London, England (January 7th, 1986) | Live Reviews @ Metal Forces Magazine". Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  17. ^ "Chris Caffery - Faces - Reviews - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  18. ^ Jon, Oliva (2011). Streets: A Rock Opera (CD Booklet). Hamburg, Germany: Edel AG. 0204062ERE.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "Chris Caffery - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  21. ^ a b c d e Savatage (1989). Gutter Ballet (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 782 008-2.
  22. ^ a b Savatage (1995). Final Bell - Tribute To Christopher Michael Oliva (liner notes). Zero Corporation. XRCN-1257.
  23. ^ a b c d e f Savatage (1995). Dead Winter Dead (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 82850-2.
  24. ^ a b c d e Savatage (1997). The Wake of Magellan (liner notes). Concrete. 0089831CTR.
  25. ^ a b c d e f Savatage (2001). Poets and Madmen (liner notes). Steamhammer. SPV 088-72150 CD.
  26. ^ "Zak Stevens - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  27. ^ "Zachary". Metal Storm. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ a b c d Savatage (2000). Japan Live '94 (liner notes). Nuclear Blast America. NBA6720-2.
  30. ^ "Al Pitrelli - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  31. ^ Clay Marshall (2018-11-28). "Still the orchestra plays: remembering Savatage's Criss Oliva". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  32. ^ a b c Avatar (1983). City Beneath The Surface (liner notes). Regal Zonophone. PAR 1002.
  33. ^ "Jon Oliva biography". JonOliva.net. Retrieved March 17, 2007.
  34. ^ a b c "Metal forces #2 (1983 1984) by Francisco Javier - Issuu". issuu.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  35. ^ a b c d e "Avatar (USA) - Timeline". Metal Storm. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  36. ^ a b c d Savatage (1985). Power of the Night (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 781 247-1.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ "John Zahner - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  39. ^ "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.
  40. ^ "Savatage - Follow Me (Live , Philadelphia 1993)". YouTube. May 26, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  41. ^ Petras, Nikola. "Interview: Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR)". RockLiveBg.com (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  42. ^ "SAVATAGE - Live Footage From 2002 Featuring Vocalist DAMOND JINIYA And ANNIHILATOR Guitarist JEFF WATERS Online". bravewords.com. October 4, 2006. Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  43. ^ "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.
  44. ^ Roth, Dan (June 20, 2016). "A Conversation with Vitalij Kuprij". Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  45. ^ "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.
  46. ^ a b Savatage (1986). Fight for the Rock (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 7 81634-4.
  47. ^ a b c d e Savatage (1987). Hall of the Mountain King (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 7 81775-4.
  48. ^ a b c d Savatage (1991). Streets: A Rock Opera (liner notes). Atlantic Records. 7567-82320-2.
  49. ^ "Savatage FAQ, Section 3 - The Albums, Part 2". Savatage.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2008.
  50. ^ a b c "Savatage: os primórdios contados através da banda Avatar". whiplash.net (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-02-20.
  51. ^ Savatage (1983). Sirens (liner notes). Par Records. PAR 1050.
  52. ^ Savatage (1985). The Dungeons Are Calling (liner notes). Music For Nations. MFN 42.
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