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Savatage

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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Chris Caffery

2014

Guitar

Jeff Plate

N/A

Johnny Lee Middleton

1985

Jon Oliva

N/A

Keith "Thumper" Collins

N/A

Steve Wacholz

N/A

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Al Pitrelli

1995
2000

Electric guitar

Chris Caffery

1989
1990

Guitar

Chris Caffery

1994
2002

Guitar

Criss Oliva

1983
1993

Jack Frost

2001
2002

John Zahner

1991
1992

Electric guitar

Keyboard

Background vocals

Additional

Steve Wachholz

1980
1993

Zak Stevens

1992
2000

Story of Savatage

Hailing from Tarpon Springs, Florida, Savatage emerged in 1979, forged by the Oliva brothers, Jon and Criss. Initially christened Avatar, a name clash forced a rebranding just before their 1983 debut, Sirens. This pivotal shift marked the beginning of a legendary career. Savatage became a cornerstone of the US heavy metal scene in the early-to-mid 80s, profoundly influencing countless metal subgenres.

Their prolific output includes eleven studio albums, two live albums, five compilations, and three EPs. While Fight for the Rock (1986) brought them initial chart success (#158 Billboard 200), Hall of the Mountain King (1987), Gutter Ballet (1989), Streets: A Rock Opera (1991), and Edge of Thorns (1993) solidified their critical acclaim and cemented their legacy. Tragedy struck on October 17, 1993, when Criss Oliva died in a car accident, just six months after Edge of Thorns` release.

Undeterred, Jon Oliva (with producer Paul ONeill) carried on Savatages torch, releasing four more studio albums amidst several lineup changes before an extended hiatus in 2002. The bands members went on to create other notable projects, including Jon Olivas Pain, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Circle II Circle, and Doctor Butcher, further cementing their impact on the broader landscape of rock and metal.

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