Chris Caffery is a heavy metal guitarist who is best known for his work as a member of Savatage and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Recently, Chris has been pursuing a solo career with the releases "Faces" and "W.A.R.P.E.D.". Chris is noted for his passion of New York sports teams. Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music which shares traits with progressive rock including use of complex compositional structures, odd time signatures, and intricate instrumental playing. ... It has been suggested that True metal be merged into this article or section. ... Heavy metal (sometimes referred to simply as metal) is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s. ... Savatage is a heavy metal/progressive metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979. ... Trans-Siberian Orchestra (often abbreviated as TSO) is a Rock and Heavy Metal orchestra founded by Paul ONeill, Robert Kinkel, and Jon Oliva in 1996. ... Black Lotus Records is a independent record label based in Greece that specializes in metal. ... The Jackson Randy Rhoads was the signature electric guitar model of guitarist Randy Rhoads, and is now produced by Jackson Guitars. ... Savatage is a heavy metal/progressive metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979. ... Trans-Siberian Orchestra (often abbreviated as TSO) is a Rock and Heavy Metal orchestra founded by Paul ONeill, Robert Kinkel, and Jon Oliva in 1996. ...

Biography

Chris began playing guitar at the age of 11, but some of his earliest memories include performing The Beatles song Help! for a show and tell in kindergarten. His favourite bands growing up included The Beatles, KISS, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Rush among others. He has cited guitarists such as Ted Nugent, Rik Emmett, Ace Frehley, Randy Rhoads, Michael Schenker as influences through out the years as well. The Beatles were an English rock band from Liverpool whose members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. ... Help! is a song by The Beatles. ... Show and tell is the process of showing an audience something and telling them about it and usually done in a classroom. ... A kindergarten classroom in Afghanistan. ... The Beatles were an English rock band from Liverpool whose members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. ... Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973. ... For other uses, see Black Sabbath (disambiguation). ... Judas Priest are a heavy metal band formed in 1968 in the northwest midlands of England, near Birmingham. ... Rush is a Canadian rock band comprising bassist, keyboardist, and vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart. ... Theodore Ted Nugent (born December 13, 1948, Detroit, Michigan) (aka The Nuge, Uncle Ted, Terrible Ted, Sweaty Teddy, Deadly Tedly, Great Gonzos, Theodocious Atrocious and The Motor City Madman[1]) is a hard rock guitarist from Detroit, Michigan, originally gaining fame as a member of the Amboy Dukes, and noted... Rik Emmett (born 1953 in Toronto, Ontario) is a founding member of the Canadian rock band Triumph. ... Paul Daniel Frehley, aka Ace Frehley (born April 27, 1951) is an American guitarist best known as a founding member and lead guitarist for the rock band KISS. Frehley played with the group from its inception in 1973 until his departure in 1982. ... Randall William Randy Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982) was an American heavy metal guitarist who is best known for playing with Ozzy Osbourne. ... Michael Schenker (born January 10, 1955) is a German hard rock and heavy metal guitarist and former member of UFO and a founding member of Scorpions and the Michael Schenker Group (M.S.G). ...

After only 13 months, Chris grew bored with guitar lessons and decided to teach himself. He was part of a band called "Blitzkreig" in middle school and played a few shows, the first of which was at a bar in Ridgewood, New Jersey when Chris was only 13. At the age of 14, Chris and his brother formed a band called "Anti". While searching for a bass player, Chris found Darryl Sage, who remains one of his best friends and ended up co-owning Chris's house in Ridgewood. Anti eventually found a singer named Blaze, and whilst in High School, Chris opened for bands like Mountain, Overkill, Steppenwolf, Blackfoot and Metallica. Chris graduated from High School at the age of 16 and went straight into being a professional musician, teaching students during the day and playing shows in the night. Middle school (also known as intermediate school or junior high school) covers a period of education that straddles primary education and secondary education, serving as a bridge between the two. ... Map highlighting Ridgewoods location within Bergen County. ... Main article: Secondary education High school is a name used in some parts of the world, and particularly in North America, to describe the last segment of compulsory education. ... Mountain is an American rock band, popular in the early 1970s. ... Overkill is one of the first Thrash Metal bands, formed in the early 1980s in New Jersey (but often attributed to New York City), and very active ever since. ... It has been suggested that The Sparrows be merged into this article or section. ... Blackfoot are a Southern rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. ... Metallica is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1981,[1] which has become one of the most commercially successful musical acts of recent decades. ...

Anti did fairly well, but always had trouble with vocalists. Chris recorded his first demo tape at age 14 and his second at 17, which got him his first national gig. Chris was in New York City one night, hanging around in a club in the middle of Times Square, when he met the lead singer of a band called Heaven named Allan Fryar. They were looking for a guitarist and Chris asked if he could give Allan a tape. A week later and Fryar called, and it turned out that the band also needed a drummer, so Chris's brother Phil joined. The band was managed by David Krebs and a certain Paul O'Neill, who Chris would maintain close ties for most of his career. Track Listing Submerged -3:09 Subway -1:57 Waiting For Susan -3:03 One Times One Times One -4:25 To Be Free Please -4:02 Handsome Musician -3:32 Fair Weather -3:06 North Main Street -3:31 AIDS -3:26 Your House -2:34 ... New York, NY redirects here. ... Times Square Broadway at 42nd St. ... Heaven was a heavy metal band from Sydney, Australia that formed in 1980. ...

Heaven were in-between leaving labels, and Chris did shows with them at the end of a tour and they recorded a new demo. Fryar sung on tapes of some Anti songs and it inspired the band to get the producers in the studio. Opening for Heaven were Skid Row (minus Sebastian Bach) on the East Coast (Chris turned down the opportunity to join the band) and on the West Coast, Warrant. Early 90s Metal Band Skid Row Skid Row is an American heavy metal band which became the hard rock prototypes of the early 1990s metal scene, carving out a profitable niche until the Seattle grunge bands took over. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... Regional definitions vary from source to source. ... Warrant is a hair metal band from Los Angeles, California which enjoyed its greatest success in 1990 with the single and album Cherry Pie. ...

Paul O'Neill was later introduced to the Oliva brothers, Jon and Criss of Savatage by an Atlantic Records rep and O'Neill left Heaven to work with Savatage. Eventually, Paul invited Chris to New York, where they recorded the CD and introduced Chris to the band. Heaven did was not working with O'Neill and Krebs any more, but wanted a vocalist. Ironically, the band considered asking Sebastian Bach to join them, but they could not catch him in New York. But, Chris soon learned that a second guitarist may be needed in Savatage, so he learned all of the Savatage songs he could in time for Savatage's 1987-1988 tour with Dio and Megadeth. Savatage hired someone else, which left Chris very upset and he flew himself down to the audition. Chris was given the opportunity to perform, played 2 songs before the band stopped and hired him on the spot. The band went on tour, but Chris was kept on the side of the stage, hidden from the audience. Chris was only 20 years old and playing arenas and was happy, but miserable. He left Savatage after the arena tour. Most famous for his time as frontman and vocalist to the band Savatage, Jon Oliva has also composed music for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra headed up the 1993 project Dr. Butcher and his own 2005 album Jon Olivas Pain. ... Christopher Criss Michael Oliva (April 3, 1963 - October 17, 1993) was born in Pomption Plains, NJ. He was the lead guitarist for the band Savatage. ... Savatage is a heavy metal/progressive metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979. ... Dio is a heavy metal band led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, who formed it in October 1982 after leaving Black Sabbath. ... Megadeth is an American heavy metal band led by founder, frontman, and songwriter Dave Mustaine. ...

Chris bounced between bands for a couple of years until he came into contact with the Oliva brothers once more. They asked Chris to join them just as the Gutter Ballet CD was finished. He gladly accepted, but the road took it's toll on all of the members and it was around this time that Jon Oliva began his drug and alcohol addiction. Under pressure from his brother to find a singer for their band, Chris quit Savatage at the end of the tour and formed Witchdoctor, with his brother Phil on drums, Hal Patino of King Diamond on bass, and TSO West member Doug Kistner on keyboards. The band played all over Europe, but the brothers were not clicking musicially and the band disbanded. Criss was contacted to perform on Savatage's Streets tour, but issues meant this did not happen. Chris soon learned that Jon Oliva had left Savatage. Chris called Jon, who invited him to Florida, and over "10 bottles of Jack Daniels", their project Doctor Butcher was born. Hal Patino- a skilled bass player, member of the King Diamond, Mercyful Fate and Force of Evil metal bands. ... King Diamond is the band that King Diamond formed after the split up of Mercyful Fate, following the departure of Hank Shermann. ... Streets: A Rock Opera is a concept album by Savatage, dealing with the rise and fall of the musician D.T. Jesus. ...

Zachary Stevens replaced Jon in Savatage, but Jon continued to work with his brother Criss on the record. Chris was again asked to re-join the band, but, he stayed loyal to Jon and Butcher. Some initial demos were recorded with Hal Patino and Gene Barnett for Butcher, but bad press over Jon's health lead Atlantic Records to make a decision - Doctor Butcher or Savatage? Atlantic chose Savatage. Chris was left disheartened. He went to work with friend Ray Gillen of Badlands fame, but he died shortly after the project began. Around this time, Criss Oliva was killed in a car accident. Chris was asked for the fourth time to join Savatage, but Atlantic Records suggested Alex Skolnick join the band instead. Chris would later work with Alex on the TSO East touring company. Butcher was signed in Europe and their debut was recorded in 1994. Jon Oliva left to do the Handful of Rain tour with Savatage so Butcher never toured. Chris, this time, inquired about joining Savatage on a more permanent basis with Jon Oliva, as a close friend and student of Criss Oliva he felt he could pay respect to Criss "spiritually" on stage. Jon agreed, and Chris was joined by Al Pitrelli, a good friend of his from New York. The two formed a steady partnership for almost 6 years, recording both 1995's Dead Winter Dead and 1998's The Wake of Magellan together. Zachary Zak Stevens (born 1966), is best known as the former lead vocalist of the band Savatage. ... Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ... Ray Gillen Ray Gillen (May 12, 1959 - December 1, 1993) was a singer best known for his work with the bands Black Sabbath and Badlands. ... Alex Skolnick Alex Skolnick (born September 29, 1968, grew up in Berkley, Califnornia) is a noted jazz and rock guitarist. ... Doctor Butcher is a side project involving Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery of Savatage. ... Handful of Rain is a heavy metal album by Savatage. ... Al Pitrelli (born September 29, 1962 in New York, NY) is a guitarist, best known for his work with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Megadeth, Savatage, Blue Öyster Cult and O2L. // Al Pitrelli attended Berklee School of Music in Boston in the early 80s where he studied with other notable... See also: 1995 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1995 Record labels established in 1995 other events of 1995 list of years in music 1990s in music // January 18 - Jerry Garcia wrecks his rented BMW into a guard rail near Mill Valley, California. ... Dead Winter Dead is a concept album by Savatage, released in 1995 dealing with a Serb boy and a Muslim girl who fall in love. ... See also: 1998 in music (UK) other events of 1998 Musical groups established in 1998 Record labels established in 1998 list of years in music 1990s in music // February 15 - Sir Edward Elgars unfinished third symphony, completed by Anthony Payne is performed for the first time at the Royal... The Wake of Magellan is a concept album by Savatage, dealing with drug abuse, Veronica Guerin, and the Maersk Dubai incident. ...

During this time, Chris recorded with Joe Lynn Turner, TM Stevens, as well as produced and recorded for Metalium. Chris was featured on Tribute CD's for Guns N' Roses, Accept and Iron Maiden. The Maiden CD was with Jeff Plate and his long time and newly re acquainted best friend, John West. Savatage was stalled a bit in the recording of a follow up to The Wake of Magellan, due to the tremendous success of the then "Side Project", Trans Siberian Orchestra. Caffery considers himself the "ring leader" of TSO East when they tour, and he enjoys performing live with the ensemble. Trans-Siberian Orchestra (often abbreviated as TSO) is a Rock and Heavy Metal orchestra founded by Paul ONeill, Robert Kinkel, and Jon Oliva in 1996. ... The Pepsi Arena is an indoor arena located in Albany, New York, with a maximum seating capacity of 17,500 for sporting events. ... Joe Lynn Turner (JLT) born August 2, 1951 in Hackensack, New Jersey, was the singer for Fandango and two British hard rock groups: Rainbow (1980-1984; break-up) and Deep Purple (1989-1992). ... Metalium is a power metal band from Hamburg, Germany. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Accept is a German heavy metal band from the town of Solingen, originally assembled in the early 1970s by Udo Dirkschneider. ... Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from east London. ... Jeff Plate(born March 26, 1962, in Horseheads, New York), is a professional drummer and percussionist. ... The Rev. ... Cover of Trans-Siberian Orchestras Beethovens Last Night album Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a rock orchestra founded by Paul ONeill, Robert Kinkel, and Jon Oliva in 1996. ...

Al Pitrelli left Savatage in 2000 when he accepted an invitation to replace Marty Friedman in Megadeth. Zak Stevens left shortly after, citing family reasons. Chris was left as the only guitarist in Savatage and Jon Oliva took up lead vocal duties for the first time in ten years. Chris played the lead parts with Jack Frost (who replaced him in Metalium) playing the rhythm parts on a short tour with Fates Warning and Judas Priest in support of 2001's Poets and Madmen. After Megadeth "disbanded" (it later reformed in 2004) in 2002, Al Pitrelli was invited to re-join the band since "he never left the family anyway". Marty Friedman (born Martin Adam Friedman December 8, 1962 in Washington, D.C., United States) is an American guitarist. ... Fates Warning was formed in 1983 by John Arch, Jim Matheos, Victor Arduini, Joe DiBiase, And Steve Zimmerman in Connecticut, USA. The band directly contributed to the establishment of the Progressive Metal genre, With their early works considered by many as very important works defining the genre itself. ... Judas Priest are a heavy metal band formed in 1968 in the northwest midlands of England, near Birmingham. ... See also: 2001 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2001 Record labels established in 2001 2000s in music. ... Poets and Madmen is a heavy metal album by the band Savatage. ...

Since the release of Savatage's most recent CD, Chris has appeared on records of Savatage alumni, including Zak Stevens's Circle II Circle and on Jon Oliva's Pain records. Chris himself released solo EPs and albums in 2004 and 2005, with a follow-up full-length album due for release in 2006. For a period of eight years from 1992 until August 2000, Zachary Stevens was the lead singer of Savatage. ... Category: ...

Discography

With Savatage

• 1987 - Hall of the Mountain King (Touring Member)
• 1989 - Gutter Ballet
• 1995 - Dead Winter Dead
• 1998 - The Wake of Magellan
• 2001 - Poets and Madmen

Savatage is a heavy metal/progressive metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1979. ... Hall of the Mountain King is an album by the Progressive Metal group Savatage, released in 1987 under the direction of Paul ONeill. ... Gutter Ballet is the second album produced by the progressive metal band Savatage under the direction of producer Paul ONeill, and the bands sixth album overall. ... Dead Winter Dead is a concept album by Savatage, released in 1995 dealing with a Serb boy and a Muslim girl who fall in love. ... The Wake of Magellan is a concept album by Savatage, dealing with drug abuse, Veronica Guerin, and the Maersk Dubai incident. ... Poets and Madmen is a heavy metal album by the band Savatage. ...

With Doctor Butcher

• 1994 - Doctor Butcher
• 2005 - Doctor Butcher (remastered)

Doctor Butcher is a side project involving Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery of Savatage. ... Doctor Butcher is a side project involving Jon Oliva and Chris Caffery of Savatage. ...

With Trans-Siberian Orchestra

• 1996 - Christmas Eve and Other Stories
• 1998 - The Christmas Attic
• 2000 - Beethoven's Last Night
• 2004 - The Lost Christmas Eve

Trans-Siberian Orchestra (often abbreviated as TSO) is a Rock and Heavy Metal orchestra founded by Paul ONeill, Robert Kinkel, and Jon Oliva in 1996. ... Christmas Eve and Other Stories is a CD of Christmas carols by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ... The Christmas Attic is the second CD of Christmas carols by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ... Beethovens Last Night is a concept album by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, released in the year 2000. ... The Lost Christmas Eve is the fourth album from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ...

Solo Artist

• 2004 - The Mold EP
• 2004 - Music Man EP
• January 2005 - Faces
• June 2005 - W.A.R.P.E.D.
• 2007 - Pins And Needles

Faces is an album released by Chris Caffery of Savatage in 2005. ... W.A.R.P.E.D. is a 2005 album by Savatage guitarist Chris Caffery. ...

Guest Appearances

• 2002 - Doro's "Fight" (featured on the tracks "Salvaje" and "Descent")
• 2003 - Circle II Circle's Watching in Silence (featured on the tracks "Face To Face," "Sea of White" and "Out of Reach")
• 2006 - Eidolon's The Parallel Otherworld (featured guitar solo on track "The Eternal Call")

Doro (band) is the German vocalist Doro Pesch formerly from the heavy metal band Warlock. ... For a period of eight years from 1992 until August 2000, Zachary Stevens was the lead singer of Savatage. ... Eidolon was formed back in 1993 by brothers Shawn and Glen Drover (who both also play in Megadeth). ... The Parallel Otherworld (2006) is an album by Eidolon. ...

Bootleg CDs

Bootleg DVDs

Related Links

• Chris Caffery's official website
• Chris Caffery on MySpace
• Savatage's official website